What a year its been!

elm3544
elm3544 Member Posts: 748
edited March 2014 in Breast Cancer #1
Aside from being diagnosed with cancer, and going through all we have been through, what are some wonderful things that have happened? I have done things that I have dreamed of doing most of my life.
Before being diagnosed, I went to Germany to visit my daughter. On that trip I went to Venice, where I have wanted to go all my life! I also went to Paris! I never thought this would be possible.
My husband took me for a costal drive. I was born and raised in Southern California but never saw much of the state! We drove all the way to Sonoma, with stops including Monterrey, Morrow Bay, San Francisco and many other beautiful places! I was sick and in pain from the chemo and Neulasta but I was still able to enjoy this beautiful trip!
I have reconnected with people from my past who I never though I would see again. They have become very dear friends and have plans to move here!
I went on a hot air ballon ride! This has been a dream since I was a kid! It was amazing! There is nothing like it.
I have been able to spend time with my son who lives in California. With my daughter and grandson who live in Germany. I have been able to hold my precious grandson in my arms. Nothing in this life is better than that. I have had visits from wonderful friends and family, some who I rarely get to see.
Yes, having cancer has been devestating. It has been tough. It has been heartbreaking.
It has caused so much pain. But I will not allow it to take away my joy!

Comments

  • lynn1950
    lynn1950 Member Posts: 2,570
    #2
    Great Thanksgiving post! It
    Great Thanksgiving post! It has been quite a year for you with much to be thankful for. The same goes for me.

    My oldest daughter got married and so I have a wonderful new son. The wedding brought together many friends and family, old and new. My youngest daughter returned from a year in Germany - I missed her so much, but oh, how she has blossomed! I went to Atlanta to visit with family and sight see.

    I, too have reconnected with the past and the delight of sharing with old friends is indescribable. I learned how to flyfish, meditate, and practice yoga. I completed a course of counseling that has been life affirming.

    Oh, and I bought a new car : ).


    Oh - and I made new friends through this Board.

    The longer I sit here, the more I am grateful for. xoxoxoxo Lynn
  • padee6339
    padee6339 Member Posts: 763
    #3
    lynn1950 said:

    Great Thanksgiving post! It
    Great Thanksgiving post! It has been quite a year for you with much to be thankful for. The same goes for me.

    My oldest daughter got married and so I have a wonderful new son. The wedding brought together many friends and family, old and new. My youngest daughter returned from a year in Germany - I missed her so much, but oh, how she has blossomed! I went to Atlanta to visit with family and sight see.

    I, too have reconnected with the past and the delight of sharing with old friends is indescribable. I learned how to flyfish, meditate, and practice yoga. I completed a course of counseling that has been life affirming.

    Oh, and I bought a new car : ).


    Oh - and I made new friends through this Board.

    The longer I sit here, the more I am grateful for. xoxoxoxo Lynn

    I'm Grateful for........
    Finding this board and all you marvelous ladies and gents. I know I joined after my treatments were done, but I hope that I have been able to ease at least one person's fear of the unknown. I haven't done any travelling this year, finances are not good, but I did buy a new car - had to. Love Carmax!!! Just knowing we are all healing and that my Mom survived another year, she is 88 now. Through Facebook I also have reconnected with a lot of old friends from the neighborhood growing up. Its amazing how old they look in their pictures, how come I don't?? LOL
    I WISH EVERYONE A BLESSED AND BOUNTIFUL THANKSGIVING AND ENJOY YOUR TURKEY, HAM, TOFURKY, OR WHATEVER YOUR TRADITIONS ARE!
    Love to you all!
    Pat
  • natly15
    natly15 Member Posts: 1,941
    #4
    Elm 2009 certainly has been
    Elm 2009 certainly has been quite a year.

    2/28/09 Our first girl and granddaughter was born to our family
    3/19/09 Hubby had unexpected quadruple bypass--He's alive and well
    3/24/09 our grandson turned the proverbial "terrible 2" - He's an absolute delight
    5/14/09 I was told i needed to see a surgeon regarding my abnormal mammo - i saw the surgeon
    6/17/09 Biopsy
    7/13/09 Surgery for aggressive small tumor. So lucky to have found it early
    8/1/09 Hubby lost his job--Thank God, because it would have done him in-but it did not
    8/14/09 Second surgery
    9/01/09 Found CSN
    10/6/09 First chemo

    The rest speaks for itself. I feel quite fortunate to have found this website and all you supportive ladies and gents. so many of my questions have been answered right here on these boards. I could say 2009 was the worst of years or perhaps the best of years. I'll say it was the best of years because the what if's, coulda's, woulda's, shoulda's, did not overpower our family's spirits or bring us down. We are alive, and fortunate enough to have the medical treatment necessary to take care of our health problems. Yes 2009 could have been a very different story, but it wasn't and my family is winning the battle.
  • chenheart
    chenheart Member Posts: 5,159 Member
    #5
    I will never think of cancer
    I will never think of cancer as a gift~ it causes fear and pain, and should never happen to anyone. I don't think it ever made me appreciate Life any more than I already did. I imagine most of us will agree with that assessment. When I read your post, however, though I haven't changed my mind about the gift, I do see that it makes us act on things we perhaps figured we would have plenty of time to do. We could put things off until "next year", and then maybe never get around to whatever it was.
    But, as our mortality has tapped us on the shoulder, we tend of act in the now, just in case. I don't think that it is a fatalistic view at all~ it is a realistic one though, and
    while I certainly don't think I ( or any of us!) am going to die from this Beast, part of me says "Go for it, Chen, step outside of your comfort zone and just try something different!"
    It would seem you have also done just that! And what beautiful, most deserved, forever-lasting adventures and memories you have accumulated. Thanks for sharing,you have touched my heart.

    Hugs,
    Chen♥
  • mimivac
    mimivac Member Posts: 2,143 Member
    #6
    Great thread!
    Well, let's see, there are some things that I did this year that I might not otherwise have tried:

    Simon and I took a fabulous, serene, fun trip to Puerto Rico, where we stayed in the same suite as Hillary Clinton had a month prior! We rode Puerto Rican horses, we dipped in our private pool, we walked on the ocean, we ate at wonderful, local restaurants. It made me happy to be alive, that's for sure.

    I embarked upon a journey to treat my body better, to eat well, exercise, practice meditation, and try to minimize stress in my life. It is still a work in progress, but I have the desire to treat my body better now than I ever have. I hope I will continue to hone this desire throughout my life.

    Love hearing what everyone has done. And Elm, I am envious of your visits! I have to get back to Europe soon.

    Mimi
  • elm3544
    elm3544 Member Posts: 748
    #7
    It does feel great to think
    It does feel great to think of all the wonderful things in life!
    This year has brought alot of fear, pain and sadness but also much joy to me! I hope everyone is able to focus on the joy in their lives and have a wonderful holiday!
    You will all be with me in my heart as I enjoy my family and my Thanksgiving meal!
  • survivorbc09
    survivorbc09 Member Posts: 4,374 Member
    #8
    Elm, you have been thru a
    Elm, you have been thru a lot! I admire you for always having such a positive attitude!

    Happy Thanksgiving!
  • elm3544
    elm3544 Member Posts: 748
    #9
    survivorbc09 said:

    Elm, you have been thru a
    Elm, you have been thru a lot! I admire you for always having such a positive attitude!

    Happy Thanksgiving!

    Thank you, Survivor, what a
    Thank you, Survivor, what a nice thing to say!
    We all have been through alot emotionally and physically!
    I am very thankful to have had my online friends to support me.
  • KathiM
    KathiM Member Posts: 8,028 Member
    #10
    For me, it is a year of beginnings:
    I now call 2 countries 'home'.
    I have my daughter living in the same town as I do...to go 'bumming' with...lol!
    I have a man who is different, but able to see the wonders of living...after coming so close to losing his precious life in March.
    I have stepkids that are remarkable...and my stepdaughter who offered so much support during March, even though she was screaming inside "This is my dad...he cannot die!!!!"

    I have you all who celebrate with me the good things, and offer support during the bad.

    Hugs, Kathi
  • maryannrogers
    maryannrogers Member Posts: 115
    #11
    KathiM said:

    For me, it is a year of beginnings:
    I now call 2 countries 'home'.
    I have my daughter living in the same town as I do...to go 'bumming' with...lol!
    I have a man who is different, but able to see the wonders of living...after coming so close to losing his precious life in March.
    I have stepkids that are remarkable...and my stepdaughter who offered so much support during March, even though she was screaming inside "This is my dad...he cannot die!!!!"

    I have you all who celebrate with me the good things, and offer support during the bad.

    Hugs, Kathi

    elm
    Yes, it sure has been quite a year. I'm also so thankful that we met and became friends. I know you are busy with your daughter and grandson, so will just make plans to get together when you aren't so busy. You are truly an amazing person and an inspiration to us all. Happy Thanksgiving girlfriend!!!

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