Wednesday, November 15, 2017

Roy Moore & Me

There so much I want to say, out loud.
Things that I was forbidden to say as a child. It was a sign of the times that my mother and grandmother expressly told me to never share my story with anyone. It’s not that you did anything wrong, they said, you didn’t, they said, but all the same, don’t talk about what happened, even to us.
I know what they were doing – trying to protect me – but it had the opposite effect, it made me feel worse. More broken, smaller, powerless. I felt isolated and alone in my own family.
Like anything on or in us that’s sick, it won’t go away by pretending it’s not there. It gets worse. And not just metaphorically, but physically. An accidental landmark study called, The Adverse Childhood Experiences (ACE)Study, done from 1995-1997 identified the link between childhood trauma and disease in the body. 
This study determined that childhood trauma effects the body in 3 ways:
  • Self-medicating -  smoking, overeating, drinking, drugs and sex offer immediate relief, but carry with them long-term risks

  •  Unrelieved Stress – chronic, major, unrelieved stress on certain areas of the brain that control our immune systems and inflammatory responses play a major role in presentation of diseases

  • DNA Changes – this is perhaps the most surprising: genes can change throughout the lifecycle, and childhood trauma wakes up and alters markers in your genes that cause diseases
When I was going through treatment for cancer a wise friend said, “Cancer is anger manifested as disease,” and that was something I spent a long time reflecting on. After discovering this study, that statement feels even truer. Or rather, it feels true that we are what we carry, wins and wounds.
There’s so much I want to say out loud, so I guess I’ll start with this: there’s a crack in everything, its how the light gets in.
More to follow.

Monday, May 18, 2015

Then & Now

For anyone out there reading this who's wondering to themselves if there's life after cancer or cancer treatment, have a look:


Then - May 10, 2014



Last day of chemo celebration.


Now - May 15, 2015


On my wedding day with my loves. 




One year after my final chemo treatment I feel like myself again. Better then my old self, maybe. Physically, I feel stronger, less tired and fragile. I feel vibrant.



Emotionally and spiritually, I feel more peace, love and warmth then I've ever felt in my life. Everyday I feel blessed by my family, friends and coworkers. I feel lucky to be alive and healthy and I love the life I've created. I feel this gratitude when I make my bed, go to work, play legos and snuggle on the couch.



So, for those of you wondering if you'll ever get back to 'normal', you can and you will.



Muah.

Wednesday, February 11, 2015

Crappy Disease, Great Reporting

Check out this awesome series produced by WNYC and NPR called Living With Cancer. Definitely worth a listen.

I also want to add that over the past couple weeks I've been connecting with other women going though this experience, and its been such a blessing to serve them in any way that I can. For me, helping others through this experience eases the pain of having been though it myself.

Lesson here: getting through this life takes a village.

Saturday, January 24, 2015

Day 1


I've put it off as long as I could. But the thought of a recurrence has been nagging me. So, I present to you a photo of my breakfast. Or, the side item which will accompany my breakfast...for the next 5 years. 

Prayers that this is uneventful and side effect free. 

Saturday, January 3, 2015

HNY 2015!

So long 2014 ~



Hello New Year!



2015: embracing this path, in all its forms. Here's the same for you this year!




Tuesday, November 11, 2014

Lately

As of late I've been so critical of myself. Why you ask? Because I no longer look like this:




Bryan and I were going through our old photos this weekend and when I saw that beautiful woman, I cried, a lot. I wanted to run away and hide in a cave. I felt sorry for myself. Like everything's been taken and changed by this horrible disease. I don't even recognize the woman I see in the mirror. People I worked with 2 years ago don't recognize me. None of my clothes fit. I don't look like the woman my boyfriend fell in love with....and on and on.

As shallow as this may seem to you, it’s been a huge adjustment for me. Why? Because I went from that to this in 3 months:







When humans age, they have time, lots of time, to accept the gradual changes that occur within their bodies and minds. Cancer changes that equation though. Overnight it robs you of that element that allows you to continually evolve into your new and ever-changing body and spirit

My body has endured so much in this past year. My strong body. My body that now has extra curves, pounds and wrinkles and not nearly enough hair, breasts or estrogen.

When I look this photo I get back a little of what cancer took: the sense of time passing. And maybe, if I look long enough I can figure out how to be ok with where I am today. Alive, feeling well and doing the best I can to care for my body.

Loosing the battle

Against the deliciousnes