What I Would Have Missed

A couple of days ago, my oldest grandson sent me an email to share some stories he's writing. Owen is 9 now, and it's so fun to get emails from him. I'm saving all of them and plan to print them out and put them in a scrapbook.

While reading the stories, I thought back to earlier days when Owen would endlessly dictate stories to me. My role was to suggest some ideas, although he thought up most of the content, and then we would draw illustrations. That's pretty funny right there, because I have many skills, but drawing is absolutely not one of them. However, I did my best, because I would do anything for my Owen.

The reminiscing took me back to the time when I was diagnosed with my cancer. Right about then was when the stories were a big part of the day when I took care of Owen. I was also caring for little brother Andrew, soon to be 5, but then a 6 month-old baby. If my cancer hadn't been discovered so early, I might not have had the chance to see Owen blossom into the writer of his own stories. I might not have seen Andrew learn to walk and talk and become the funny little character he is. I might not have known Caroline at all. That precious little princess came along about a year and a half after IT came into my life.

Once again I am grateful to still be here...

Get your colonoscopies, people!

This is March, which means it's colorectal cancer awareness month. Since I had the dubious "pleasure" of having that particular form of the beast, I like to remind people in March that they need to have their colonoscopies. They're not pleasant, but they're not nearly as unpleasant as cancer!

Do it, people!!!

Another one gone...

I lost another friend today. This was a dear, precious lady who was a very caring member of my online cancer support group. *sigh* The fact about that group is that it has been so comforting to me since my diagnosis, and I've been able to use information I've learned there to help others. So it's a good thing. But it sure does take a piece of my heart on a regular basis.

Rest in peace, sweet Lisa.

Life is funny sometimes. I've passed my 4-year mark of being NED (no evidence of disease), and I'm doing fairly well, except for that pesky chronic pain in my abdomen. But just the thought of the oncology clinic throws me into a tizzy. Today I went up there to deliver a survivor/caregiver newsletter that I help produce for our local Relay For Life committee. All I had to do was walk in, let them know what I was bringing, place it in the waiting room, and go.

I realized as I was going up on the elevator that I was breathing more heavily, and a feeling of sadness rolled over me. I can face many things in life, and I have, but that oncology clinic always makes me feel like a little girl who wants her mommy.

Rest in Peace, Lib

Yesterday I said goodbye to another loved friend who had battled cancer. Although she had lived a good, long life, her loss will be felt greatly by her family and friends. I also regret so much the pain she had to go through on her journey.

Lib's funeral was at our church, and I was a member of the choir. As I looked out at the congregation and around the choir, I could identify several others who, like me, had faced cancer and won (so far). Once again I had to count my blessings and thank God for protection and healing. Oh, that I could grant the same to others...

Walking in the Rain

I know sometimes people probably see me walking down the street to work and wonder what's going on in my head. On days like today, when it was a bit cool and rainy, I was still smiling and bopping along. Every now and then, I lifted my face to feel the cool rain and to drink in the fresh smell in the air. After having cancer, I savor times like that, because they make me feel very alive. To someone who faced a life-threatening illness, feeling alive is FABULOUS.

Even if you've been blessed with the best health ever, try to live with appreciation of every moment, because we never know how many moments there will be.

Breakfast With Santa

On Saturday my Relay For Life team had our annual Breakfast With Santa. This is my favorite fundraiser we do every year. It's so much fun to see the kids in their Christmas clothes, faces all aglow with excitement. We have an excellent Santa who blesses us with his time every year.

I found myself being overwhelmed with joy Saturday as I stirred the hot cocoa and observed the families making Christmas memories. I did, however, find myself having a teary moment as I thought of my friends Roger and John, who will not be with their families this year. Their young ones will be going through the first Christmas without their fathers.

I wiped away my tears and resolved anew to never stop raising money to fight cancer. The work continues...