Hi Everybody!
It has absolutely broken my heart to not be present at all of the amazing Fall festivals, events and local happenings this season. As many of you know, I was diagnosed with Breast Cancer back in the summer. I wanted to give you a little update on what has been going on with me.
It was exactly 4 months to the day of my diagnosis, that I started chemotherapy on October 21st. In a funny way I had been waiting for this day to come after delaying treatment do to healing issues. Dare I say I was excited to start this next phase of my journey. Hearing the words,”I have some good news, you are cleared to start Chemotherapy.” Seems like an oxymoron. At any rate, I will be one step closer to putting Cancer behind me. Now that is something to be excited about!
One treatment down and 3 more of the "yucky" ones to go. Immediately following the first treatment, I felt really good. The next day I felt even better. I really thought I was going to side step the "Chemo Land Mine". Maybe the power of positive thinking was working! Well, while positive thoughts are always necessary and important, and should never be abandoned, it just wasn't meant to be. Saturday, Sunday and Monday I felt like I had been run over by a bus. I tried to stay as active as I could as that is one way to help with the fatigue. The nausea and exhaustion set in and I was fairly down and out. Fortunately, not down and out for long.
In a time when our world seems so wrong and unfair, we must be reminded of the many bright lights that shine brighter than any pain, turmoil or things unjust. Just when I was struggling to find the positive, the local girl scout troop brings me the most delicious homemade apple pie as well as the most thoughtful and encouraging card. Then a dear friend calls to see if I want to go out for a ride to do some simple errands. Another special person in my life treats me to breakfast and three hours of conversation. Next a meal train has been initiated by one of the most selfless giving people around and our family is showered with food and gift cards to make our lives so much easier. I go to the mailbox and there is a card, note or treat to help pick me up. Next, multiple family friends who are photographers, reach out and want to "gift" our family with a photo session to help me remember how I was before the worst of all of this. The daily text messages of encouragement, thought, and friendship mean the world to me. It is moments like these that remind us even during the worst of times, there really is so much grace, kindness, and good in our world.
And then there is Kevin. A champion husband and father who does more for his family than anyone can imagine. I really don't know how to thank him for the amazing way he has taken over everything and always picks up the slack. Having been down this Cancer road once before, he knows all too well how this works. His strength of body and mind serves as a role model for me always.
Thank you all for being there for us. You mean the world to us!
* Many thanks to Elise Travis Photography for these wonderful pictures!
