Today I would like to send out a gentle reminder to just love and live your life. Every single day. You can never get a moment back once it is gone and for that reason, I give you Erma Bombeck, who defines it best with "If I Had My Life To Live Over Again." For all of you out there, I have three words....faith, hope and love.
IF I HAD MY LIFE TO LIVE OVER - by Erma Bombeck
I would have gone to bed when I was sick instead of pretending the earth would go into a holding pattern if I weren't there for the day.
I would have burned the pink candle sculpted like a rose before it melted in storage. I would have talked less and listened more.
I would have invited friends over to dinner even if the carpet was stained, or the sofa faded.
I would have eaten the popcorn in the 'good' living room and worried much less about the dirt when someone wanted to light a fire in the fireplace.
I would have taken the time to listen to my grandfather ramble about his youth. I would have shared more of the responsibility carried by my husband.
I would never have insisted the car windows be rolled up on a summer day because my hair had just been teased and sprayed. I would have sat on the lawn with my grass stains.
I would have cried and laughed less while watching television and more while watching life.
I would never have bought anything just because it was practical, wouldn't show soil, or was guaranteed to last a lifetime.
Instead of wishing away nine months of pregnancy, I'd have cherished every moment and realized that the wonderment growing inside me was the only chance in life to assist God in a miracle.
When my kids kissed me impetuously, I would never have said, 'Later... Now go get washed up for dinner.' There would have been more 'I love you's' More 'I'm sorry's.'
But mostly, given another shot at life, I would seize every minute, look at it and really see it . Live it and never give it back. STOP SWEATING THE SMALL STUFF!
Don't worry about who doesn't like you, who has more, or who's doing what
Instead, let's cherish the relationships we have with those who do love us...
Tuesday, November 23, 2010
Monday, November 22, 2010
A Friend Gets GREAT News
My friend, Adrienne, who was diagnosed as Stage 4, right at Christmas time 2009, has just learned that all of her tests came back clear! That's right - no cancer is seen anywhere in her body. I have to tell you how overwhelming that is for me. Not only do I consider her my friend, but I look at her as a fine young woman and mother who is destined to leave her touch on this world.
I have said for some time now that breast cancer is not a death sentence. I say it again, and Adrienne is living proof. If you are reading my blog for the first time, read this and remember it. It is manageable, but you must change your lifestyle and incorporate a lot of things you might not otherwise like.
This is great news for Thanksgiving. Thank you, Jesus for giving us hope, and faith, and family and friends.
May you all have a blessed Thanksgiving with yours. Hugs~
I have said for some time now that breast cancer is not a death sentence. I say it again, and Adrienne is living proof. If you are reading my blog for the first time, read this and remember it. It is manageable, but you must change your lifestyle and incorporate a lot of things you might not otherwise like.
This is great news for Thanksgiving. Thank you, Jesus for giving us hope, and faith, and family and friends.
May you all have a blessed Thanksgiving with yours. Hugs~
Sunday, November 21, 2010
It's Been Awhile
It's been a bit since I've made a post, but I've been busy with work and school and getting ready for Christmas. I've almost finished up everything. Going out on Black Friday will be just for the beauty of enjoy the adrenalin rush......and the chaos of watching people as they run around like ants.
I have four, not two classes to finish my degree. I so thought I was going on my last set...oh well...I WILL knock these out and graduate in May. I have to, I want my boys to watch me walk across that stage taking my dual master's degree...AND having done it all the while I've been ill. I want them to know they can do anything they put their hearts and minds into doing.
Received other recognition I was not aware of. The National Health Review posted our stories (six women from the Making Strides Makeover) in their magazine. Janet sent me the link which gives a brief paragraph on each of us, then the link to read each of our stories. The only thing they goofed on was our names - they totally messed those up. What I like about the publicity is that I hope it finds its way into the hands of another woman who may be going through this, and that maybe, just maybe, she won't feel so alone in her journey. If you are interesting in seeing it, please go to:
http://www.nationalhealthreview.net/
for the magazine and click on
http://www.nationalhealthreview.net/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=229:acs-extreme-makeover-winners-essays&catid=82
if you'd like to read our stories.
Leslie, my favorite ARNP in Tampa will be coming forth with a link on Facebook called F4...It will be designed to allow women - and men - to do risk assessments on themselves for breast cancer. You input your information and it provides you with the information straight up that you need to know and what you can do to help yourself. The best part - all can be done right from the privacy of your own home - FREE. She is hoping that its up and running (pending the patent now) in the next month or two. Remember this post in a couple of months then check it out and send it on when its up and running. I promise you, you will be helping someone else.
Well, time for housecleaning and school work (ugghh)! Have a great week everyone!
I have four, not two classes to finish my degree. I so thought I was going on my last set...oh well...I WILL knock these out and graduate in May. I have to, I want my boys to watch me walk across that stage taking my dual master's degree...AND having done it all the while I've been ill. I want them to know they can do anything they put their hearts and minds into doing.
Received other recognition I was not aware of. The National Health Review posted our stories (six women from the Making Strides Makeover) in their magazine. Janet sent me the link which gives a brief paragraph on each of us, then the link to read each of our stories. The only thing they goofed on was our names - they totally messed those up. What I like about the publicity is that I hope it finds its way into the hands of another woman who may be going through this, and that maybe, just maybe, she won't feel so alone in her journey. If you are interesting in seeing it, please go to:
http://www.nationalhealthreview.net/
for the magazine and click on
http://www.nationalhealthreview.net/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=229:acs-extreme-makeover-winners-essays&catid=82
if you'd like to read our stories.
Leslie, my favorite ARNP in Tampa will be coming forth with a link on Facebook called F4...It will be designed to allow women - and men - to do risk assessments on themselves for breast cancer. You input your information and it provides you with the information straight up that you need to know and what you can do to help yourself. The best part - all can be done right from the privacy of your own home - FREE. She is hoping that its up and running (pending the patent now) in the next month or two. Remember this post in a couple of months then check it out and send it on when its up and running. I promise you, you will be helping someone else.
Well, time for housecleaning and school work (ugghh)! Have a great week everyone!
Monday, November 1, 2010
Redefining Normal
Normal used to be jogging, having a cocktail with friends, mowing the lawn, moving furniture, goofing off with my boys, yada, yada....all the normal kind of things a woman might do on a regular or irregular basis. When you get breast cancer, everything becomes abnormal and your world changes, but YOU have the power within yourself to define your new normal.
Redefine your normal to be something special. Make each new day better than the old normal. You can't lift that big bag? So what....can't mow the lawn? Big deal - there are some fine looking yard men out there. Can't move furniture? Work around it. Normal can be what we want it to be.
As I just told a friend whose mother was diagnosed with breast cancer, this stuff sucks, but it doesn't necessarily mean it is a death sentence.
It has taken me a whole year to truly grasp that. In a nutshell, I had a part of my body reject me and try to kill me. That is very scary. Who is to say is won't happen again? No one. So guess what, my way of redefining normal is (that because I or "they" can't guarantee that it will not happen again) that I promise myself each day to try to be more patient with others, love more, laugh more, and really listen to what is being said.
I only get one chance at redefining this new normal and so I want it to be a good one. If you are redefining your normal, I hope you choose the happier thoughts and the things that will make your days great and special. For me, it's the only way to go.
Wishing you a blessed week and more birthdays ~
hugs.
Redefine your normal to be something special. Make each new day better than the old normal. You can't lift that big bag? So what....can't mow the lawn? Big deal - there are some fine looking yard men out there. Can't move furniture? Work around it. Normal can be what we want it to be.
As I just told a friend whose mother was diagnosed with breast cancer, this stuff sucks, but it doesn't necessarily mean it is a death sentence.
It has taken me a whole year to truly grasp that. In a nutshell, I had a part of my body reject me and try to kill me. That is very scary. Who is to say is won't happen again? No one. So guess what, my way of redefining normal is (that because I or "they" can't guarantee that it will not happen again) that I promise myself each day to try to be more patient with others, love more, laugh more, and really listen to what is being said.
I only get one chance at redefining this new normal and so I want it to be a good one. If you are redefining your normal, I hope you choose the happier thoughts and the things that will make your days great and special. For me, it's the only way to go.
Wishing you a blessed week and more birthdays ~
hugs.
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