There are some hard truths many of us have had to face during this past year. Feelings and emotions we have hidden until now! Besides the cancer journey this year, I have had to deal with racial inequality and unrest, political clamor, and a pandemic that was and still is unforgiving and non-discriminatory. My writing, has taken a back seat…not forgotten…not motivated…not wanting to think! Think about ALL of these feelings and emotions AND cancer.
Although in remission, there are still health maintenance that needs attention; mammograms, MRIs, bone scans, ultrasounds, bloodwork, pap smears, colonoscopies, you get the idea. The pandemic has changed how we move, how we think, how we schedule doctor appointments and how we care for ourselves. The hard truth, we have to do more. I know many of you have missed appointments out of fear, anxiety, or even mistrust. I completely understand…I am one of you! I have decided to put my faith over fear and schedule my appointments. I am not too far out, but I have to make sure I get back on track to good health. I trust God and know that EVERYTHING that has been placed before us is in a divine plan.
Storms come to test the foundation. Are you grounded? How committed are you to move forward this year? Sometimes, you will have to face the hard truths and be still while God works. God is digging you down so he can build you up and prepare you for greatness. He’s giving you a new path in your health and your wealth both emotionally and spiritually. Prepare yourself and be ready for God who is working on you, your family, and your relationships in this new year.
He sees the unrest, the anxiety, the political discourse and he is waiting for you to ground your feet in him and remember YOUR personal journey! My cancer journey has NOT taken a break because the world is in uncertainty. It is all the more reason to leave last year behind, bring the lessons forward, and use them to make this year count!
We’ve lost so many souls in such a small window of time, unexpectedly, but what about cancer? What about those souls we are still losing in the midst of this pandemic? Compromised immune systems that are now dependent on others to make conscious decisions for us. I was already living my “new normal”…now this! What is this? The “new, new normal”? I was already washing my hands, sneezing and coughing in my shirt, sanitizing my hands incessantly and carrying sanitizer EVERYWHERE. I spray my door knobs, sheets and even use a separate bathroom in my own home…now what do I do? Pray
When I was diagnosed with cancer and began my treatment two and a half years ago, I could not have imagined the life I’m living today or any life for that matter. I wanted to dial up God and ask Him, “…how long do I have to live…?”, “…what will my family do without me…?”, “…what will come of this journey?”. Then I thought “…maybe these doctors are wrong …”. But I knew deep down, God makes no mistakes and I had to make a conscious decision that it was God’s Morning, God’s Afternoon and God’s Evening!
small things like how the sun shines in a particular spot in my living room in the morning, the best place for my dear Ivy to grow. The mornings are such sacred times to reflect and think about my purpose for the day. Morning is another chance to make a difference, another day to fight, another day to share my testimony and journey.
My Cancer Wisdom to You: Sometimes your purpose will find you as an assignment. Take heed and follow through, no matter the challenge, it’s for you!
Today, I live! 48 years strong! I am so blessed to be here to share my story! Birthdays were always important to me because it celebrated me and the day I came to be in the flesh with my earthly body. I was born on March 7th in the year of 1971, on a Sunday morning, in the Bronx, New York. The story of my life yet to be written, could tell of all the trials and tribulations, all of the disappointments and strife, everything that pained me to the core. It could also tell of the triumphs and victories, the fun and the hope, the strength and the faith.
It’s almost that time again…a time to reflect, reject, and renew. When I was diagnosed with breast CANcer in October of 2016, I made a decision going into 2017, I would not make any more resolutions. I would not drive myself crazy doing all of the things I grew up believing I should do, like taking all of the trash out of the house by midnight, changing the sheets, washing all of the clothes, etc. Going through all of these rituals to bring in the New Year was exhausting. I didn’t have the energy then and I didn’t want to spend my time working when I should be resting. I began then to make a lifestyle change and purposefully enjoy the moments with my families and not focus on all of the external appearances, Pomp and Circumstance!
So now my living includes doing and participating in activities that keep me normal and my family feeling normal. The one thing that I knew could not stop, could not be missed and could not be compromised, …The Jones Jingle Jam!
In 2017, I had to have surgery related to the CANcer. The day of the Jingle Jam, was the day of my discharge from the hospital! My husband and family helped prepare everything and my village was determined to help me so that my desires were met! The Jones Jingle Jam must go on! This particular year was hard, I was weak, fatigued, and crazy!!! Who does that???? All of these children…spending the night…playing games…listening to music…loud!!! ME..I do that! The Jingle Jam gave me a since of normalcy and helped my son feel like his mom was alright! It also helped me to feel better and brought me comfort, brought me normalcy!
My CANcer Chronicles Blog Posts 