Month: March 2017

It’s Friday, it’s sunny, and the temperature is mild.  I have my feet up and looking at the wonderment that is at my window.  No matter what your beliefs, you have to acknowledge the divine splendor of the sun in a crisp, blue sky.  I am day 14 post last chemo.  That is something to continuously celebrate!

For a patient that is on this CANcer journey, small delights are worth celebrating.  This week, I was able to work all five days in a row!!!  As a special education teacher, or any teacher for that matter, that is no small feat.  Even my students commented that they saw me every day this week after asking me Monday and Tuesday if they would see me the next day.  I so proudly told them, “I will be here tomorrow!”  Of course, I prayed that these side effects would be manageable so I wouldn’t disappoint.  Thank goodness!

My taste buds are cooperating and getting back into the routine.  Like Lemony Snicket in “A Tale of Unfortunate Events”, fortunately, chemotherapy kills cancerous cells, unfortunately, it also kills some good cells like the ones that make up your taste buds…ugh!  However, I’ll get through as I choose life!!!  My food is coming back to me and the aromas are no longer nauseating.   It’s amazing what you miss when it is just routine and it’s amazing the routines you cherish once you miss it.  Every bite is so delectable and every smell is so special.

I have enough energy to wash clothes!  Sounds funny, but I promise you, it feels good to be able to take care of your home without having to stop and rest or just leave everything to the wolves.  While in treatment, if I felt like it, it would take me a couple of days just to wash, dry and put away the clothes.  A couple of weeks, I was still washing and by the time I finished, it was time to wash again!  That is no way to live!

To all of my sisters and brothers on this journey, know that whatever stage or whatever type or whatever step you are in your treatment, there is reason to celebrate.  Find anything that makes you smile or laugh.  Think of memories, people or events that warm your heart.  Anything that reminds you of why you fight, why you manage side effects, etc. There will be better days ahead that will be well worth the rough ones.  Hang in there, love yourself and enjoy the sunshine!

My CANcer Wisdom to You:  Write down positive things that happen in your life and keep them in a jar for a year.  Whenever you have one of those days when you feel things are not going well or you are just feeling down right awful, pull a couple and read.  I promise you it will lift you up and get you back.

What you’ll need:

1 container or anything to hold a small decorative pad and pen.

1  vase or anything deep and wide to hold all of the good and positive things that happen each day or each week.  Celebrate, Stay Positive and Enjoy Life!

 

This is the day that the Lord has made! Let us rejoice and be glad in it! I remember singing that song during Sunday school, vacation Bible school and in my early years in private school. It was always one of those songs that reminded me, even as a child, to be thankful for everyday whether rain or shine, good times or bad, fun or boring.  The Lord gave me life!  Today is one of those days.

Birthdays have always been special to me. I remember my mom would cook my favorite meal, fried chicken, mac and cheese, collards and yellow cake with chocolate icing, and I would be surrounded by family. Family who were my village and celebrated the importance of birthdays just like me. The Milestones were the greatest: The 1st Birthday, only remembered through pictures 😊, the 5th, preparing for Kindergarten, the 10th, moving into double digits, 13th, now a teenager, Sweet 16, 18th, time to vote, 21st, grown, etc.,  etc.  Now at 46, what say I? Not quite a Milestone but closer to the big 5…0 than not! This 46th Birthday, I’m Blessed to be surrounded by family, have a patient and nurturing husband, and a resilient 7 year old son who loves his mommy bald head and all! He always draws a picture of the two of us in the card he picks out. This year, I have no hair!!!

As I reflect on my birthday, I’m feeling closer to my purpose and closer to why God has had me seeking his purpose for the past 46 years. Yes, I do believe that his destiny begins long before you are able to understand and fulfill it! CANcer is just a way to get me to seek him while encouraging others to do the same.  I look back on my life and I am hopeful for a future where I can change lives and inspire others to have faith and move forward in life seeking his purpose.

My CANcer Wisdom for You:

Seek Ye First!

I rang that bell like nobody’s business!!!  Yesterday was my last chemo treatment….If God will it and the creek don’t rise! Part 1 of my journey has been quite the ride. From side effects to missing work occasionally and having to miss out on outings and being in public places when my immune system could be compromised. But I won’t complain.  I have a WONDERFUL village both near and far.  Everyone around me has been ENCOURAGING and POSITIVE which is half the battle.   I have especially been BLESSED with the most SUPPORTIVE husband who continues to make me feel SPECIAL and LOVED and BEAUTIFUL! This man has coached me along the way.  My husband, coach, confidant, prayer partner and hold me down man, Bonnie and Clyde kind of way!  Always by my side making sure I’m comfortable and have my water and vanilla ice cream! This part of the journey, to me, was the most challenging.  If you are going on this journey or are in the midst of it, surround yourself with positivity and positive family and friends, those who have empathy not sympathy. You need love and PATIENCE, PRAYER and INSPIRATION.  Find daily devotionals, scripture that inspires you and lifts you spiritually and anything that reminds you that this journey is a part of a DIVINE plan to impact not only your life but the life of those around you from family to friends, colleagues to church members and even strangers placed in your presence specifically for your purpose.

For my PEACE of MIND,  I really love the Holy Bible YouVersion Bible App. There are great plans to follow that provide daily devotionals, scripture, prayers, and even videos that seem to touch the very place you’re in and places you in the spiritual place you need to be.  I have also begun reading “The Purpose Driven Life” by Rick Warren, using the companion Reflection Journal. It is a 40 Day journey to discover your PURPOSE.  Today will be my day one and prayerfully, I will be able to stay on track, read and reflect EVERYDAY and complete this SPIRITUAL JOURNEY by April 12th.  Ironically, the 40th day is the day before my post-op appointment.  Maybe more divine than ironic!  Since my diagnosis, I’ve been searching for my purpose in this new journey. Is it for me alone, my family and/or friends…. do I have a new platform to help others through this blog, in person at work, at the grocery store, community service, what is my purpose now?  I have been trying to figure it out on my own. Well, consistently, I’ve been hearing, reading, and it has been revealed to me that I should stop looking for my purpose and pray for GOD to reveal HIS purpose to me! HE is the only one who knows. HE is just waiting for me to hear HIM!

The bell ringing ceremony was a highlight and a significant ending to journey part 1.  I’ve watched a couple of patients ring that bell and cheered them on awaiting my special day.  This bell ringing symbolizes the ending of treatment and the beginning of your new life’s journey.  This tradition began in 1996 at The University of Texas MD Anderson Center.  A U.S. Navy Rear Admiral Irve Le Moyne completed his treatment for head and neck cancer and decided to install a brass bell to ring signifying the end of treatment.  This tradition has been adopted in several cancer centers and treatment facilities around the country.  I was so BLESSED to have this wonderful OPPORTUNITY!

My CANcer Wisdom to You:

Those on a CANcer journey or any health journey, read the all CAPS words alone. Hopefully, they will fill you with encouragement, hope, and inspiration. Stay positive and pray, have faith and not fear. Strength comes from the MOST HIGH!

Those who are the caretakers, the family or friends, church members or colleagues, bring patience and positivity. Pray often and stay strong. Take care of yourself so you can be a BLESSING to those who need you the most and read the all CAPS words alone as well. May those words bring you comfort and understanding.

On to Jouney Part 2! Love to all in the presence of this blog!