Mom's Cancer Lessons Continue

My mother was loving to all.

She taught her children well.

How to laugh, even when raising a mere smile seems impossible.
How to celebrate the smallest of victories as it is a positive step forward.
How to remain curious for learning never ceases.

Her living with cancer is a lesson both my late brother and I benefited from although she would have hated having had us put through it.

The occasional vent is fine, but a constant whine is not.
Continue to do for others.
Never give up hope.
Focus on even the tiniest wonders of nature and respect it.

Her valiant battle ended 26 years ago this year.

Luckily, her lessons continue thriving.

Comments

Gone with the Wind or How Cancer stole my Hair, but not my Resolve

June 2016 April 2018 May 2018 In 2016, I underwent a full hysterectomy and was assured the small cancerous tumor on my uterus had be eradicated without any further treatment like radiation or chemo. Grateful for the fantastic outcome, I was especially delighted at not having to lose my hair. Sure, to avoid regular shaving of underarm and leg hair sounded terrific. But to bid adios to my silver mane was a step, I didn’t want to consider. Blessed with terrific, thick and wavy follicles since childhood, many had complimented me as it changed from its original platinum blonde through the brunette years to the arrival of grey strands that first appeared in my early 30s. Even then, the new color ringed my face, causing people to think it was highlights. My hairdresser told me to tell everyone, that he and not Mother Nature, was responsible. But by 2018, things drastically changed. A stage 4 tumor now invaded my body. Requiring both ...

The Kindness of Strangers

The kindness of strangers is so important in my life right now as I maneuver about in a place where physical friends do not exist and a lack of a car makes life a challenge. Last evening arout 6:45, I was walking the 1/2 mile to the FDR Home, here in Hyde Park. I've walked it a number of times, but for some reason I resumed my title of "Prima Ballerina at the Klutz Ballet." My left foot caught the lip of the uneven asphalt and after stumbling and unsuccessfully trying to ca tch my balance with my hiking stick...down I went. Sprawled over the shoulder, as I sat up to take inventory, four cars, on both sides of the road screeched to a stop. These four strangers picked me up and stayed as I surveyed the damage.Scraped knees, hands and an aching wrist where it could have been so much worse. One man took me down to the FDR, where a documentary presentation was waiting. As we parked he handed me a small first aid kit and said 'keep it.' It enabled me to cl...

Inspiration Wherever and Whenever

No matter how well you are handling your cancer battle - all of us need a boost now and then. Here's one way I find especially helpful. Inside a baggie, I place inspirational cards, letters and quotes. Always kept in my knapsack, whenever my spirit could use some up lifting. I pull it out. Spending a few moments reading reminds me of the love and concern that surrounds me and why I must remain vigilant in my battle. What can you pack that is small, has immediate access and offers the same effect? Aromatherapy bottles, photos or perhaps fabric pieces, natural objects like stones, pine cones or pressed flowers, Be creative. If it makes you happy - its working.

Cancer is only part of my journey

Search This Blog