Bliss

Today marks two years ... two years since my life was forever changed!  On the morning of August 8, 2011, I was diagnosed with cancer ...

Since that time, my life has completely changed ... most of which is documented on this blog.  Now, I LOVE LIFE more than ever before!  I feel MORE BLESSED than ever before!  And, I am finally at the place in my life that I have always dreamed of ...

Since I was little, I have always wanted to teach.  Of course, as a little girl, I dreamt of my wedding day, my prince charming, and my life as a "grown-up" ... more than anything, though, I wanted the opportunity to teach at the school my children attend ...

THAT DREAM HAS FINALLY COME TRUE ... I am teaching second grade at Indian Knoll Elementary School ... just down the hall from my precious little ones!

With each passing day, I am more and more amazed by the work God is doing in my life. Since my diagnosis, I have completely turned it over to Him ... and he has blessed me in more ways than I can count!

So, needless to say, on THIS anniversary, I am not saddened by what has happened, but thankful for how the experience has forever changed my life ...

August 8, 2013 ... a day of BLISS ...

Thanks be to our AMAZING God ...

On This Side of Cancer

Tonight, on the eve of my 36th birthday, I cannot help but reflect on my many years of good times and great memories.  I have lived a blessed life ... an amazingly blessed life ...

Of course, I could write for days about my childhood, my teenage years, or my early adult life ... so many wonderful stories ... so much laughter ... so much joy.  Instead, I prefer to focus on the past two years ... the BEST two years of my life ...

Now that I am on this side of cancer, I take absolutely nothing for granted.  I realize, more than ever, that there are no guarantees and that the gift of life should be cherished ... each and every moment ...

On This Side of Cancer

Though my cancer diagnosis was devastating ... it has changed me for the better!  It's made me who I am today ... the person that God wants for me to be ...

So, on this birthday, I don't dread another candle being added to my cake ... instead, I CELEBRATE another year of life.  And, as I make my annual wish, I pray that my journey continues to help each of you see the gift that each day brings ... 

Here's to 36 ...

Thanks be to God ... 

Living Again

First of all, I am feeling proud to have been able to move on with life and focus a little less on my cancer journey.  Of course, it still crosses my mind each day, but no longer consumes my every thought ...

The past few months have been VERY exciting.  I was blessed to have had the opportunity to take a long-term substitute teaching position at my kids' school, Indian Knoll Elementary. For ten weeks, I took the place of a wonderful fourth grade teacher who was enjoying her maternity leave.  It was such an amazing experience ... I cannot wait to get back into the classroom full time.

In March, I was able to join about 20 other ladies at the Pink concert at Philips Arena in Atlanta.  I have been waiting FOREVER to see her ... and she didn't disappoint ... it was the BEST show I've seen!  We made the most of the night by riding in a limo to the concert and staying downtown afterward.

Tiffanie, Debbie, and Me

My family and I took a quick trip to the beach over Spring Break to enjoy a little time away.  We stayed in an adorable home in a quaint little neighborhood between Panama City Beach and Destin.  The weather was beautiful!  We had a wonderful time ...

 Hunting for sea shells and hermit crabs ...

Shortly after our vacation, my neighbors and I ran The Dirty Girl Mud Run in Atlanta.  It was a BLAST ... 

The 5K took place at Lake Lanier and was full of muddy obstacles.  The best part ... all proceeds support breast cancer organizations in our area.  Check it out at www.godirtygirl.com.

Last week, I had an exciting "mommy moment" when I had the opportunity to cheer on my little man in the World Series.  It was one of the most nail-biting games EVER, but the Dodgers came out on top, winning in extra innings.  Words cannot express how blessed I feel to have been able to share this with my buddy ...

Andrew

#40

Finally, just yesterday I returned home from our annual girls' trip.  Six of my neighbors and I went to Panama City Beach for a long weekend.  The weather wasn't great, but we had an amazing time.  It's been two years since I've been able to join them, but this time there was no cancer to stand in my way!  I am SO very thankful ... and blessed beyond measure!

The BEST neighbors a girl could ask for ...

At this point, I don't think about writing as much as I used to ... I'm just too busy LIVING! Perhaps I will sign off soon, but until then ... stay tuned for more uplifting posts and updates on my life after cancer ...

Here's to LIVING again ... 

Calm

At this point, I have been medicated for more than a month ... almost six weeks, to be exact.  What an amazing difference ...

I feel calm.  I feel happy.  I feel like I can move on with my amazingly blessed life ...

The real question ... why didn't I do this months ago?  Well, at that time, I felt like I was in control.  I never really questioned my ability to cope with my diagnosis.  I was doing a pretty good job and I was confident and secure in my prognosis ... as much as anyone can be.  It wasn't until I completed treatment that I felt powerless ...

Now, I feel better than I ever have ...

I LOVE my husband.  I LOVE my children.  I LOVE my job.  I LOVE my life.

Here's to FINALLY feeling calm ...

Anniversary

Today marks the one year anniversary of my final round of chemotherapy.  On this day last year, I was at Winship Cancer Center ending six long months of treatment ...

Now, I have the special privilege of teaching fourth grade at Indian Knoll Elementary where my kids go to school ... and I absolutely LOVE it!  I am enjoying my husband, my children, my family, and my friends more than every before!  And, most importantly, I am living a cancer-free life ...

Tonight, I will be lifting a Corona, just as I did one year ago, in honor of my journey ...

Thanks be to God ...

Cheers ...

Reassurance

This morning, in the pouring rain, Scott and I headed to Emory for my routine check-up. Although traffic was crazy, we made it on time and were in and out.  As usual, Dr. O'Regan was GREAT ... providing the reassurance I needed ... especially lately ...

For the past few months, I have been experiencing some mild pain in the center of my chest and, at times, down my left arm.  It comes and goes and, for the most part, is just a nuisance.  Of course, it has definitely been a contributing factor to my anxiety.  Today, Dr. O'Regan did a physical exam and has concluded that she is almost certain it is simply surgical pain ... nothing to be concerned about.

As you can imagine, ANY pain I experience becomes a REALLY big deal ... it consumes my thoughts and becomes my focus.  Hence, medication.  Hopefully, the Effexor my psychiatrist prescribed will help alleviate the fear and anxiety.  And, I must admit, Dr. O'Regan's confidence in my "excellent prognosis" is VERY comforting.

Here's to having another appointment behind me ... and continuing to look ahead to a bright future ...

After Party

What a GREAT weekend!  I am feeling some relief from the overwhelming anxiety and was able to enjoy a wonderful "After Party" with my Princess Warrior team.  We gathered to celebrate our accomplishments and reflect on the amazing experience ...

This beautiful video documents our three days of FUN perfectly ...

2012 Princess Warrior 3-Day Experience

Chelsea, our commercial star, created this video and it could not be any better!  As I have said so many times before, The 3-Day is like nothing I have every experienced ... I will cherish the memories FOREVER!

And, although I could never thank my team enough for their love and support, I did create a little something for everyone ...

Hopefully, this "3" will be a reminder of our AMAZING weekend together and, more importantly, my appreciation for each of these very special people in my life!

Now, let's start looking ahead to this year's 3-Day ...

Here's to October 2013 ...

Shrink

It has been nearly a year since my last infusion and mastectomy.  Since that time, I have been focused on recovering physically from chemotherapy and surgery.  Over the past few months, though, the emotional healing has really begun ... and it has be THE most difficult part of the journey.

Although I have been given an excellent prognosis, the fear of recurrence lingers.  At times, it is completely overwhelming.  I have been trying to cope ... refusing therapy ... refusing medication ... with little success.  So, I finally scheduled an appointment with a "shrink"...

Dr. O'Regan, my oncologist, recommended that I meet with an excellent psychiatrist at Winship.  Earlier this week, I finally sat down with Dr. Wendy Baer.  I was dreading it, but she was thoughtful, patient, and understanding.  She validated everything I am feeling and made many recommendations ... two of which, in her opinion, are most appropriate for me ...

1.  Keep writing.

2.  Medicate.

For me, writing is very therapeutic.  After my diagnosis and during treatment, I wrote nearly every day. Lately, I haven't been writing and my fear and anxiety have been building.  So, although I originally planned to finish writing by the end of 2012, I have decided to continue.  As much as I wish I could simply put this experience behind me ... it's just not that easy.  Someday, I hope to find peace ... until then, I will write ...

As for medication ... I have been prescribed Effexor.  This was something I was really hoping to avoid, but if there is one thing I have learned through this experience ... I am NOT Superwoman.  I'm human ... and battling cancer is not easy for anyone, not physically and especially not emotionally.  Hopefully, I will soon feel some relief, the anxiety will subside, and I can enjoy this beautiful life again!

Here's to writing ... and a little pink pill ...

Five Seconds of Fame

Although I was hopeful that I would someday receive my "15 minutes of fame" ... I suppose five seconds will do ...

This week, the 2013 Susan G. Komen 3-Day commercial began airing on all of the major networks.  There are at least two versions, a shorter one and a longer one.  In both, Chelsea, one of our Princess Warriors, opens the commercial.  And, Sarah and I are shown together, sporting our team shirts with "SURVIVOR" on the back.  In the longer version, the ENTIRE team is also featured walking together!

http://www.the3day.org/site/PageServer?pagename=learn_prepa_video_14

Click on the link above to view the full length commercial!

Each time I see it, I am reminded of what an AMAZING experience that weekend was ... filled with laughter, tears, and memories to last a lifetime!  I am so thankful to each and every one of my teammates for sharing it with me ...

Here's to fame ... even if it's short-lived ...