Waiting for the Words

As I sit here a few weeks out from finishing my radiation, I am flooded with a range of emotions. First, thankfulness! Thankful that I’m here and that I’ve conquered the chaos of the last five months. From the moment of the devastating diagnosis, the fear, anxiety, anger and despair to the mammograms, ultrasounds, biopsies, needles, radioactive seed implant, IV, nuclear medicine injections, surgery, scars, pain, swelling, radiation, fatigue, burns, peeling, rawness, sleepless nights, not to mention the sheer toll it takes on one’s willingness to fight, stay strong, and remain positive. I can now look at cancer in my rear view mirror and concentrate on moving forward on that wide open, winding road that lies ahead of me.

I’m also feeling so very grateful! Grateful for my husband, children, grandson, parents, brothers, in-laws, grandparents, cousins, nieces, aunts, uncles, dear friends, my pastor, and our church family, all of whom kept me encouraged, strong, and close in prayer through it all! I am humbled by your constant flow of thoughts, prayers, love, and well wishes which will forever remain in my heart. Thank you all so much! I love and appreciate you more than words can express!

Through it all, I have a new awareness of the frailty of life! You just never know what tomorrow will bring. We have today and that’s it! We should savor every moment and make the best of the time we’ve been given. My faith in God has been strengthened and renewed as well. For whatever reason, he allowed this into my life and never left me while I fought through it. He will continue to be with me throughout the trials and tribulations as well as the joys in life!

This whole experience has also made me realize how important it is to take care of ME! I’m committed to eating better, being more active, taking time to decompress, as well as removing toxins from my everyday life. I am taking steps every day to improve the quality of my environment, the foods I put into my body and am much more aware about the safety of the products I use each and every day.

Despite the circumstances, I have been blessed by how cancer has changed my life. I live more in the now! Sunrises and the sunsets are even more special! I enjoy having fresh flowers in the house! Music has a deeper meaning. Time with friends and family is cherished! I look forward to the road ahead with a renewed sense of appreciation, especially for the little things that used to go unnoticed. I look forward to feeling healthy, reaching more goals, watching my family grow, and living my best life!

Until next time, here’s to a life more lived!!

Michelle