Life is like a box of chocolates, you never know what you are going to get....

mom_2_3
mom_2_3 Member Posts: 953 Member
in Colorectal Cancer #1
Life is like a box of chocolates, you never know what you are going to get....


In 1994 I married my college sweetheart immediately after graduation. Four months later I found myself in the middle of a painful separation and ultimately, a divorce at the age of 24. During those painful months I managed to see Forrest Gump in the theater 17 times. The themes of the movie really resonated with me at that time and sitting in a movie theater by myself all those evenings helped me keep perspective, and for those moments I forgot my pain. A quote that really resonated with me at that time was the title of my thread.

Years later I was re-married, my husband a man I can only describe as "the most wonderful in the world" and mother to 2 lovely children. It was during the birth of our third child that it was discovered that I had Stage IV colon cancer with metastases to the liver. The first oncologist told me I could expect 22-24 months, telling me this as my one-week old daughter lay in her baby seat next to me. I was shattered.

Fast forward to today. That one-week old little girl is now a very personable and beautiful 2 year-old. She will be three in 3 months and she is registered to start pre-school later this month.

Two weeks ago I got the results from my most recent CT scan and I remain NED. That now makes 2 years and 6 months that I have been in remission from Stage IV colon cancer. I know it may not last. But for today, I live in the precious moments I spend with my children and my husband.

I wish for everyone here those special moments as well. Moments when the sun shines on your shoulders and warms you, when a breeze blows through the trees and leaves slight goosebumps on your arms, when you look at the faces of your loved ones and know you are loved in return. These are the moments that take my breath away. These moments are all around me and I have learned now to always look for them and live in them when they happen. I love my box of chocolates....


I will leave you with a link to one of my favorite songs, a song about moments.


"This Moment"

Comments

  • lisa42
    lisa42 Member Posts: 3,625 Member
    #2
    beautiful!
    Goes to show everyone that a doctor's prognosis is not the word of God! Thanks for sharing and having the attitude that you do... it's contagious!
  • Sundanceh
    Sundanceh Member Posts: 4,392 Member
    #3
    Amy:)
    "Life is Like a Box of Chocolates - Ya Never Know Whatcha' Gonna' Get."

    Love that line as well - one of my favorites and I put it in the book a couple of times as well.

    I'm glad all is going so well for you - those are such wonderful thoughts.

    Best Wishes and Continued Success!

    -Craig
  • keystone
    keystone Member Posts: 134 Member
    #4
    What a precious post and I'm
    What a precious post and I'm assuming the picture is of your little angel. Thanks for sharing and I pray for many, many more NED reports!!!!!
  • Buzzard
    Buzzard Member Posts: 3,043 Member
    #5
    keystone said:

    What a precious post and I'm
    What a precious post and I'm assuming the picture is of your little angel. Thanks for sharing and I pray for many, many more NED reports!!!!!

    I could hug your neck..........
    How could you possibly know exactly how I feel and make that statement, when it rings so true with me its scary...Thank you mom_2_3 for explaining the exact feelings I have everyday......Great wonderful post..........enjoy your chocolates........buzz
  • jjaj133
    jjaj133 Member Posts: 867 Member
    #6
    what a lovely post and what
    what a lovely post and what a beautiful child. congratulations.
    God bless,
    Judy
  • buckeye2
    buckeye2 Member Posts: 428 Member
    #7
    You made my day. Thanks for
    You made my day. Thanks for sharing. Lisa
  • Fight for my love
    Fight for my love Member Posts: 1,522 Member
    #8
    Beautiful writing.Everyday
    Beautiful writing.Everyday is a gift.Wish you and your family the best.
  • laurettas
    laurettas Member Posts: 372
    #9
    Fight for my love said:

    Beautiful writing.Everyday
    Beautiful writing.Everyday is a gift.Wish you and your family the best.

    Thank you!
    What a beautiful story. Thank you so much for sharing--I hope that you have many more years to enjoy your children and all the wonders that life has to offer!
  • ron50
    ron50 Member Posts: 1,723 Member
    #10
    no words needed
    (((((((((((((((mom-2-3)))))))))))))))))) Ron.
  • johnnybegood
    johnnybegood Member Posts: 1,117 Member
    #11
    ron50 said:

    no words needed
    (((((((((((((((mom-2-3)))))))))))))))))) Ron.

    thank you
    now i will sleep better tonight because of your words.just did all my pre-op testing today and i am really stressing over my upcoming liver surgery.thanks for those beautiful words...Godbless...johnnybegood
  • luvmum
    luvmum Member Posts: 457 Member
    #12
    Dear Mom_2_3
    Thank you so much for your sharing and I really like your post!

    Hugs Dora

    p.s. I really like your profile photo too! The little girl is gorgeous!
  • sasjourney
    sasjourney Member Posts: 395 Member
    #13
    Touched my heart!
    Amy,

    Your post made my day...tears of joy for you. I have been thinking about you and hoping that all was going well. What incredible news!!!!!! I am so extremely happy for you. That quote is one of my favorites, too. We don't know what tomorrow brings so we just have to cherish today. Enjoy your beautiful babies...they grow up so fast. You are always in my prayers.

    Hugs, my friend,

    Sara
  • herdizziness
    herdizziness Member Posts: 3,624 Member
    #14
    Ahhh
    It's wonderful, this NED thing!!! More wonderful, when you awaken to the sun kissing your face ever so slightly, listening to the laughter and morning chatter of a child (in my case my 14 months old grandson)the birds singing their sweet songs, and here to listen and feel it all. Yes, a wonderful thing. And your reference to a box of chocolate and memories you brought forth are wonderful and I thank you for this.
    So happy for you!!!
    Winter Marie
  • pepebcn
    pepebcn Member Posts: 6,331 Member
    #15
    mom_2_3 said:

    Thank You!
    Thank you for the wonderful thoughts. I post news like this because when I was first diagnosed I would look for and write down the names of long-term Stage IV survivors. I have always understood that just because someone else lived 20 years after Stage IV and is considered "cured", doesn't mean that I will, but it has alwasy meant to me that I CAN. That it is a possibility...

    I inserted two recent pics here of my angel Katie, and one of Katie with her brother and sister. I guess it's like my "brag book."

    "Paddy, Ellie, Katie"


    "Katie"

    Wonderful news ,nice post!
    Love ya!
  • mom_2_3
    mom_2_3 Member Posts: 953 Member
    #16
    Thank You!
    Thank you for the wonderful thoughts. I post news like this because when I was first diagnosed I would look for and write down the names of long-term Stage IV survivors. I have always understood that just because someone else lived 20 years after Stage IV and is considered "cured", doesn't mean that I will, but it has alwasy meant to me that I CAN. That it is a possibility...

    I inserted two recent pics here of my angel Katie, and one of Katie with her brother and sister. I guess it's like my "brag book."

    "Paddy, Ellie, Katie"


    "Katie"
  • mom_2_3
    mom_2_3 Member Posts: 953 Member
    #17
    mom_2_3 said:

    Thank You!
    Thank you for the wonderful thoughts. I post news like this because when I was first diagnosed I would look for and write down the names of long-term Stage IV survivors. I have always understood that just because someone else lived 20 years after Stage IV and is considered "cured", doesn't mean that I will, but it has alwasy meant to me that I CAN. That it is a possibility...

    I inserted two recent pics here of my angel Katie, and one of Katie with her brother and sister. I guess it's like my "brag book."

    "Paddy, Ellie, Katie"


    "Katie"

    Aaarrrgh
    So links to image files don't work. Well, I added the two pics to my expressions page.

    Thanks!

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