February 2012
February 28, 2012
The Truth About the Bag
As my husband and I wrapped up our passage through the Jamaican customs, I discovered I was in the middle of a recurring nightmare. There on my gorgeous new turquois shirt, (adorned with a trendy belt, sitting a top fitted capris and rockin’ strappy mega-high heals) was the byproduct of a leaking ostomy bag. Like a shot through a helium balloon, I began to deflate. Just one moment before, I was confidently beaming, fantasizing about hitting the beach with my husband but before I knew what hit me I wanted to crawl under a rock.
February 14, 2012
Getting to Know You
Nearly nineteen years ago I was on my honeymoon in paradise; as a young bride I was starry-eyed, full of hopes and dreams that no man could put asunder. Nearly five years ago my husband and I sat in the office of our pastor, where we shared that we could no longer take the pain and we would be ending our marriage.
February 13, 2012
Sincerely Thankful for Cancer
I write to you from an airplane on my way to Jamaica, for a short, sweet getaway with the man of my dreams! I never tasted life the way I do today, I have to say I’m increasingly thankful for the path God has put me on. Simple tasks like running errands, eating salad, exercising and being around to have my boys make me laugh are of great value to me these days. I’ve gone all out, turning over leaf after leaf, uncovering new styles of dress, an increased sense of adventure, original ways of spending my pastimes, and sincerely relating to those with physical handicaps. How shallow things were for me six months ago; appearance prevailed. I had no comprehension of how one might live the life I live today. Before my diagnosis, I bounded out of bed, greeting each day, full of energy and zest. I’d huff and puff, hour after hour, racking up accomplishments, never stopping, until my head hit the pillow where I’d lay lifeless, until I was ready to greet the next day. Though I enjo
February 4, 2012
Attitude Transformation
Mind over matter is my new MO. So far it’s working. The power of the mind was very evident the last Tuesday when I went in for chemo; I almost got sick right in the waiting room. I told the psychiatric nurse, who told me many people vomit when they get in the building and one patient did it when they saw the building from down the street. I knew I wasn't sick from the chemo, as I hadn't had it in a month, so I learned how powerful my mind is. That being said, I developed a new mindset after I got my second opinion, I am on board with my last six treatments. If I must go to bed after chemo I will, but I will no longer assume I must rest! When I was little we were literally not allowed to get sick, “Sorry we don’t have time,” my mom constantly told us, and it worked!
