Cancer is only part of my journey

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.

Why keeping positive is so important to battling the Beast. Last Friday I was scheduled to give blood as I have since April prior to my chemo and now immunotherapy sessions. Last Friday, New York was also recovering from a huge snowstorm the night before. But like an intrepid Arctic explorer, I layered my clothing and set forth. Once arriving at the infusion center, one of my nurse Countess Draculas (my loving nickname for them) looked confused and asked 'why are you here?' It turned out despite being in the middle of this round's sessions, I only need bloodletting once not twice. They were so apologetic over the situation. Once upon a time, I would have adopted a put upon attitude at the inconvenience. But I had had some juice, graham crackers and spoken with funny (haha) strangers. Since my 2nd war w/ the Beast started, I have come to understand the extreme power of not sweating the small stuff. Also never allowing the big stuff to throw me off c...

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.