Tally Ho and Away We Go!

Here I am, five weeks later, alive, alert awake and more than enthusiastic!  Six nights in the hospital, a two-unit blood transfusion (common but still it was me and nothing I had ever experienced before) and a fifteen-pound weight loss gives me plenty to share in this blog.  I've learned a lot over these past weeks and months.  This blog will serve as me sharing my insights and more as I venture forward into my new normal.  If my words resonate, please share it as I'm here to help anyone going through similar experiences.  There are a lot of us on this same journey, and I’ve joined several online groups for advice and support.  

I will never take my health for granted again.  I always thought I was infallible, in tip top shape, a healthy “35-year-old” and frankly Wonder Woman.  Folks, obviously this was not me, but my ego didn't want to accept it as aging with grace was not yet in my mantra.  Looking back, I've had this problem for at least eighteen months but perhaps even longer if I had paid more attention.  The tumor and cyst were huge, and how these monsters were fitting in such a small space anyone's guess.  Just the fact that they're gone is a relief to me and I am finally comfortable again. My lesson learned is do not take anything for granted, especially at this age.  One needs to address the issue immediately without seeming like a hypochondriac! Grow old with grace but understand we are no longer 35! 

The doctors assured me the tumor was located in one area, self-contained and had not spread!  This was and truly is a hallelujah moment for yours truly.   Thankfully my cancer was only in Stage Two, however there was still a lot of discussion about chemo. Doctors only see one side of the issue, I've seen both and have elected not to take chemo and treat myself instead.  I'm in good health, fit and still have all my marbles, so why destroy all of that if it's not necessary.  Chemo rots the brain and causes nothing but havoc in one's body.  In a couple of years, I may need to start it all over again, and this I would not do so therefore no chemo for me.  I'm pursuing the holistic route now and investigating various therapies and options. I'm on the journey to better health and better living.

A holistic doctor I found on-line has set up a good plan for those of us who have opted out of the traditional methods. Many people over 70, in good health elect not to pursue it.  Why at this point?  It seems unnecessary to be perfectly honest. Therefore, I'm taking his advice and I'm laying the plan out here for the world to see:

• Eat only clean and nutritious food.  Cut out all sugar, wheat/flour products, sodas (I never touch them anyway) and any bio-engineered food (another food I don't get near).  Drink filtered water and once a day put a 1/2 teaspoon of baking soda in the water as cancer does not live in an alkaline environment.  It doesn't taste bad but if a squeeze of lemon juice is added, it makes it a bit better.
• Movement is a necessity!  I will be returning to the gym in another two weeks and will be adding a 20 minute or longer walk on the treadmill to my routine.  When it finally cools off, I'll walk my neighborhood but it's too darn hot right now and frankly I have trouble with the humidity.  
• Sunlight is a good thing, in moderation of course.  Twenty minutes in the sun daily, is what's needed in order to allow the vitamin D to work efficiently.  I take a D supplement and living in Florida affords me plenty of sunshine and fresh air so out I will be in my yard, with my boys.  I love to garden so my pots will have plenty of attention!
• Rest is essential.  I'm an early riser so early to bed is also my new normal.  I'm not a napper so a good night of uninterrupted sleep is essential.  I want to be rested and feel at peace in order to start a new day.
• Healthy relationships are a must!  I'm open to new friendships and experiences but please leave anything with negative energy and toxicity at home as I'm not interested.  Surrounding oneself with healthy, grounded, self-assured people can only bring peace and harmony into one's life.  Toxic, immature, mean people should never be welcomed by anyone as they will make us physically and mentally ill.          
• Faith is the last and most important item on this list.  Without faith we have no purpose, without faith, we have only an empty, meaningless existence.  I've returned to the faith of my youth, and I am using Jesus as my compass, sounding board and my rock.  He's with us if we call on him.  He never left me; he just sat on idle until I woke up again.  His patience with me and his calm presence is what will be making this next chapter easier and more fulfilling.  

So, there we have it my friends, this is my new journey.  I am free of cancer, free of doubt, worry and free of toxicity.  I plan to grow old with grace, humor and plenty of wonderful family and friends. Only love and light will be allowed into my life.  Jesus is the way, the truth and the light.  He is my rock and I am thankful.

Now, faith is the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not apparent.  Hebrews 11:1

By faith, we understand the world to be fashioned by the Word of God, so that the visible might be made by the invisible.  Hebrews 11:3

I Joined The Club

I haven't sat down to blog for quite a while as I've been busy enjoying the Florida lifestyle.  I wasn't sure if I was going to continue with this blog as I was running out of topics to write about.  I've tried to stay off politics as it's too divisive, my dogs were starting to get boring and frankly who cares what I have to say.  I'm just a small pebble in a big pond.  My life isn't all that exciting so enough seemed to be enough.  Therefore, I had decided a while ago to live and let live and move forward with the rest of my life.

But three or four months ago, I started to feel kind of off.  I was having trouble eating a large meal and my energy level was not at its normal high intensity.  I started to take a nap in the afternoon, and nothing tasted good anymore.  I'm not going to mention the other problems that started cropping up but suffice to say, it was getting ugly.  A month ago, after having a painful kidney infection, my stomach started to scream bloody murder so off to the doctor I went.  Now, I'm not one to visit the doctor for a scratch or sore throat.  I'm definitely not a hypochondriac but this was the real deal and I needed answers.  Much to my surprise and three doctors later, I found out this week, I've joined a new club, I found out I have cancer.  As I type, I'm still in a state of shock and my entire world seems to have been turned upside down.  I've had a barrage of doctor's visits, blood tests, image scans and MRIs.  My arms look like a pincushion, and my nerves are frayed.   The paperwork has been extensive and the price of all this has me chewing my nails.  Thank goodness I have the Medicare Plan G!  More than once this week, I've wanted nothing more than to hear my mother's voice telling me that it's all going to be okay.  Basically, I've been in the state of shock.

Over and over, I asked God why me and have waited for his reply.  I kept asking myself, what did I do to deserve this, who did I hurt or maybe I shouldn't have screamed obscenities at the TV while watching the news?!  I know I've been neglectful of family and friends but why is this my punishment?!  There was no immediate reply from God, just simply crickets.  But today, as I went through the pre-admittance process, my answers began to appear.   Words of wisdom from my wonderful friends have all resonated.  Bible verses and prayers all of the sudden appeared on my Facebook and Instagram feeds from random sites I follow.  God had appeared!  I quickly came to realize that I need to focus on healing and let go of the past, live in the present and trust God with the future. The past is called the past for that very reason, it's over and done with.  The future isn't here yet, but we must trust God with what he has in store for us.  Today is now, live for the moment and appreciate the blessings.  

I'm scheduled for surgery on Thursday June 25.  Please pray that the cancer has not spread and I will have complete healing.  I'm scared of the aftermath as I'm going to have an incision from my breastbone to my pelvic bone. I'll be in the hospital two or three days, and my sister will come home with me after the surgery. My lovely friends have all rallied around me and have promised us food, companionship and plenty of prayer. I've asked for prayer that I can tolerate the pain, and I'll be on my feet for the 4th of July celebration party.  Please pray if I need chemo, it will be minimal and my hair will remain intact.  I can't imagine what I'd look like bald (no jokes please).   Please pray for complete healing.  

I'm scared; but I WILL have 30 more years added to my life.  I WILL live to be with my grandchildren and those of my loved ones.  I WILL go back to Rome to visit the Vatican and marvel at the Sistine Chapel, and I WILL see the great pyramids of Egypt.  I WILL visit the Holy Land and walk the steps that Jesus walked.  The one and only and I WILL have another cruise and more fun times together.  I WILL take that cruise from Istanbul to Croatia, and I plan to enjoy every moment. I want this episode behind me, and I can't wait to participate in the bell ringing ceremony if God forbid, I need chemo.   I WILL conqueror this bump in the road and I WILL be an inspiration for others. I WILL be whole, perfect and complete, completely healed and back to the gym and lunch with the ladies in short order. My plan is to journal and blog as I move forward on this journey and concentrate on healing.  Thank you from the bottom of my heart.

"Heal me, O Lord, and I shall be healed; Save me, and I shall be saved, For You are my praise"  

Jeramiah 17:14