5 Years!

I am stopping into share the post I shared on my Facebook profile today. I know a number of people are not on Facebook and I didn't want to leave anyone out.

5 years ago, on this day, I put my life in the hands of my supremely skilled surgeon, Dr. Muldoon. Seriously, I put my life in his hands; in writing on paper and in the operating room. I had micro managed and controlled every nuance I could, the date of surgery, the choice of my surgeon, my anesthesiologist, my nurse, but I had no way to manage/control what happened during my 6-7 hour surgery. I surrounded myself with the positivity of family and friends and the faith that everything would be fine. After my surgery, I was cancer free.
I find myself with some strange emotions today. I am incredibly grateful to the team of doctors that have passed through my life, truly, without each of them and their care, I might not be here. My support system, my Rob, my Mom and Dad, my Ellie and Nick, my Jo and Ole; I never would have hit this 5 year mark without each of them. Friends who stopped in to share laughs, tears, and time with me. Friends and family who brought food, wine, and chocolate. Friends and family who whisked my children away to have fun.
I remember Dr. Muldoon and Dr. Marsh telling me that treatment would represent a year in my life; they were correct, active treatment was just about a year. Luckily, it represents just a mere day or two a year now. Last night was curriculum night at school, I realized as I sat in the  3rd grade classroom, how 5 years ago, was a sort of ‘lost in time’ year for me. I was physically present but mentally I had tunnel vision and a goal. The 5 year cancer free mark is incredible, it puts me on the ‘other’ side of the statistics. It is a mark that I know too many friends never got to see. It is definitely a time to celebrate.
I am hopeful that with the super organizations/agencies, the endless amount of money being raised, and the brilliant scientists in the world, one day cancer will not exist. Until that day, I will continue to volunteer time as a mentor, to tell my story and become friends with dozens of beautiful people who share cancer with me, and to live my life one day at a time.
I have learned to live in each day. Cancer or not, no one is promised tomorrow. I have learned life is precious, I surround myself with family and friends who are happy. I have learned to tell my story. It is a positive one in a sea of negativity that cancer can represent. I have learned if life gives you lemons…find some vodka and infuse them!
I wish I could send this to everyone I know because posting to Facebook only shares this with a small amount of the family and friends who have loved and supported me through my journey. You helped create the bubble around me, your collective positive thoughts and love, very much helped me get to this 5 year mark today…thank you.

Visualizing my healthy and continually healing body and the new normal, Tree

May Medical Update

As promised, I am posting a n update about all my May visits.

I saw Dr. Marsh earlier this month. My visit was sort of strange. Margaret, his nurse, has gone back to a navigation position and is helping out in the transition to oncology more. She wasn't at my appointment. Dr. Marsh has a new nurse, can't recall her name. My blood work all came back with my normal ranges. I asked him to run my vitamin D level which did come back deficient. He told me how I was overdue, only by a few weeks, for my colonoscopy. Anyhow, the strange part was just how  the entire appointment felt weird.mi guess it is good I don't feel like I belong there anymore. I asked him about a couple things and he told me they would be great things to talk to my primary care physician about. I see him in a year again.

I came home from my visit and scheduled my colonoscopy appointment. I asked for different prep because I cannot keep the go-litely down. I was given a prescription for Movie-Prep, it is half the amount of liquid. Prep was easy this time around. I didn't get the stomach cramps, no chills and shakes, no dry heaving or vomiting. It will go down in history as the colonoscopy of comical errors. Our power went out around 8:30 while I was still in the middle of needing to run to the washroom. Then we woke up to news that the Skokie Swift tracks had collapsed - thus the power outage. What I wasn't counting on was the 45 minute backup of traffic on Howard. Luckily, I left enough time to get to Mom's house and I had visited the washroom before I left home. Mom drove me to the hospital and I was taken back. They were running a bit late and the first nurse blew my vein when she tried to start my IV. Dr. Bianchi found one itty bitty polyp and resected it. I get to see her in 2 years.

I have an appointment in June with my new primary care physician to discuss my vitamin D deficiency and my hip Charlie horses. 

Visualizing my healthy and continually healing body and the new normal, Tree 

Late

Yes, this post is late. This post is 3 days late. Why? Well, I started this blog while I was on a much different journey than I am currently on. I began this blog as a place where I could "put pen to paper" and describe my feelings and my thoughts about what was happening. As I traveled further along my path/journey, I went from daily posts to every other day, those to twice a week, and finally a weekly update. In a couple weeks, the beginning of May, I will be 5 years out from diagnosis. That is a huge milestone. I believe, for that visit, I will only be seen on an annual basis. As my visits span out, so do my thoughts about why this blog was created. Personally, I have never kept a diary or journal, and that is what this has blossomed into. I have decided that after my visit, I will only be posting as I have any related appointments...sporadically.
I have thought about this for a long time and I don't wish to have a regular post of my doings. As I grow my business, my name is out in the world, and I don't need my buyers/customers, googling and finding out my everyday life.
Last week, I listed like crazy. I had free auctions and took advantage. I more importantly, got a bunch of clothing that has been boxed and sitting in the basement, out the door. Finally, sales picked up after the tax day deadline, maybe refunds are coming though. I have a new mail carrier and she hasn't left a great impression. My packages are taken and not scanned in for days. I guess it isn't just her, as I hear similar stories from other sellers.
Ellie joined me for a Saturday morning sprint to Salvation Army and a rummage sale. We spent the evening with Dean, Lauren and the girls. It was nice to catch up and visit, it has been a long time.
Sunday we went to church and dropped off bags of stuff for their rummage sale. After I started preparing my planters for this year with some new spray paint. We went to mom and dad's to celebrate Tony's 7th birthday. The kids payed nicely together and had a fun time.
Visualizing my healthy and continually healing body and the new normal, Tree

Long but Productive Weekend

nothing much to share about this past week. eBay has been slow, I am hoping it is just tax time lows. This weekend, we took advantage of the lovely weather and worked on Ellie's desk. Rob had sanded it, Ellie and I painted the drawers. She picked out 3 different shades of pink and an ice blue for the insides. Rob stained the top and her chair. Ellie and Neha sanded and painted the knobs. It was a family adventure. We got a bunch down on Saturday and we were able to finish up today.
We had enough to leftover paint to do Ellie's dresser drawers too. Rob and I moved everything in and it looks great. We had a minor snafu because the one drawer in the desk stuck...in the closed position. Rob took it out to sand off some more so it hopefully won't stick again.
We had dinner at mom and dad's, it was just us because Tony has some bug. Mom made turkey, rice, spaghetti squash, broccoli, salad, and fruit.
Visualizing my continually healing and healthy body and the new normal, Tree

Happy Easter

Hope everyone had a lovely Easter Weekend. Did a bunch of cleaning up around here this week in preparation. We had abbreviated festivities this year. We went to the GGs to celebrate Uncle Bry's 60th birthday with them. The kids loved the weather and played outside with friends. 

I must get busy this week and list. I have a nice, full, dining room table to list at. Sales have slowed a bit with tax time nearing. 

Visualizing my healthy and continually healing body and the new normal, Tree

Happy 8th Birthday, Nick

We celebrated Nick's birthday today. Nick's birthday closes out our March Madness.

Spring Break was much needed and wonderful. We road tripped down to Brunswick, Georgia. Rob and I honeymooned at Sea Island, which is just a couple miles away. We rented a beautiful house that backed up to a tidal marsh. It was fun to experience the changes first hand. Nick loved catching crabs and watching them sneak in and out of the tunnels. Although we had a pool, the weather was not ideal. Rob and the kids did the polar plunge on our last night. 

We visited Savannah, Tybee Island, Saint Simon's Island, Jekyll Island, and Brunswick. We traveled through the Smokey Mountains on our way down and Jefferson Forest on the way home. We spent as much time as we could combing the beaches for seashells. Nick loved finding all the jellyfish. Ellie created shell artwork in the sand. 

It was unusual for us to not really have a planned out vacation but much needed.we didn't really do museums or anything terribly educational but we had a blast. We wish it could have been longer but it was still great. Although we did stop into a couple thrift stores, I didn't really buy anything. I did experience my first Goodwill outlet. Wasn't bad but too much work for me.

We celebrated at Mom and Dad's house. Mom made pork, corn, potatoes, and salads. A MineCraft inspired cake for dessert. 

Looking forward to getting back into the swing of it this week.visualizing my healthy and continually healing body and the new normal, Tree

Happy Spring

taking the week off to spend time with my family...catch up next week. Happy Spring!
Visualizing my healthy and continually healing body, and the new normal, Tree