Today I look over my shoulder and take in memories of over thirteen months of cancer treatments. Today is the last time an IV will be hooked up to my meta port as I receive my final course of immunotherapy (the not so toxic chemo drugs) intended as extra insurance that breast cancer will not return. Today I will bless the chemicals for the last time as they drip into my chest. Today I will give thanks once again for all the loving care I received over the past thirteen… Read more Today →
It has been my custom for many years to look back through my appointment book on December 31st to reflect on all my life events over the previous twelve months. It has been my way of appreciating all of my life’s activities one more time before closing the book and opening a new one. This year provided me a totally different experience. I turned pages for many months with only doctor and chemo appointments filling the lines. Although I was certainly living through those empty pages, I did not have… Read more Good-bye 2019: Thanks for Everything →
Why is it that countless people can face essentially the same experiences in life and have different emotional responses to it? My theory is that it is simply because their mindset is holding a different perspective. Using the POWER of PERSPECTIVE is my favorite go-to tool whenever I am in a situation that is potentially frightening or intimidating or causing me to feel stuck. For instance, when being diagnosed with breast cancer, rather than focusing on the possibility of suffering or even dying, my mind automatically went to gratitude that… Read more The Power of Perspective →
As a typical human being that is trying to do my best while navigating this adventure called life, I am learning what many folks may refer to as being old-fashioned rules, VIRTUES can come in very handy when you want to be VICTORIOUS in meeting a challenge. Although I did not set out to be virtuous when I embarked on the most challenging experience of my life, I am noticing many virtues have stepped up as my guides along the way. Now that I am through the worst of it,… Read more V is for Virtues and Victory (Part 1) →
The challenges of life whether they be health issues, financial problems, petty inconveniences or even death happen for all of us. If you are on the planet more than a few years, there is zero chance of escaping difficulties that can break you down, tear you apart, or both. My philosophy of life has become one that supports the concept that if I must go through ___________in my life, then I want to make it COUNT. I want to be able to learn something that will make the rest of… Read more Make it Count →
Now that the PLAY button for my life has been hit I have resumed living with enthusiasm and joyful action, which means I must not fall asleep and lose sight of why I am even here. Although I am not completely back to my normal self physically, since I am still dealing with the side effect of weakness in my legs, I am without a doubt, back in the game of life. What I’m noticing is present now on a regular basis, after being absent for many months is DESIRE.… Read more Staying Awake →
Since beginning this cancer adventure I often felt as if I was a participant in some sort of weird physical and emotional contest. It involved me trying to keep my strength, sanity, and sense of humor in the face of unrelenting side effects of cancer treatment. It hasn’t felt like a battle against cancer, but more like an endurance challenge filled with countless opportunities to keep on going when my strength was absent and my reserves were almost gone. I don’t see myself as a fighter. I’m more the pacifist… Read more Finish Lines and Prizes →
Since I began this cancer and treatment journey I have periodically felt as if my progress was buzzing along in a positive direction. I was optimistic about my improvement. Things were in flow. I felt confident that I was winning the contest against cancer and it’s evil sister, treatment. Unfortunately, those times have typically been short-lived, which created a sensation similar to driving over a speed bump. All of a sudden smooth and predictable turns into a rough and rude awakening that I must slow down. I don’t know about… Read more Speed Bumps →
Kate Believed She Could ~~~~So She Did 