Ten years ago today I received a breast cancer diagnosis. I thought I'd reflect on that day today and have a kind of celebration. But that's not what I'm feeling. I'm feeling a shift today, a letting go of that time 10 years ago. A letting go of the heavy energies of that cancer journey. … Continue reading A Shift: A New Decade Post-cancer
breast cancer journey
September is the cruelest month
I'm in a perfect storm of overwhelm. My double knee replacement is nine days away. This day, the Tuesday after Labor Day, is the sixth anniversary of my breast cancer diagnosis. And I cracked my phone screen this afternoon. It's September, isn't it? The challenging month in my life! I feel so behind in getting … Continue reading September is the cruelest month
Teaching Middle School: Week 2
This middle school teaching job is a way for me to measure my progress, to see if the work I've done on myself is bearing fruit. To see if I can let go of each day when it's over. And to see if I can greet each new day with a positive attitude.
An Upcoming “Birth”day: Three Years After Cancer Treatments
April 24th is a kind of birthday for me. It's the day I completed breast cancer treatments. And fittingly, this year's local Relay for Life is on April 25th. So I'm looking at this year's Relay event as a "birthday" celebration of my third year as a cancer-free person. But I'm not only feeling celebration … Continue reading An Upcoming “Birth”day: Three Years After Cancer Treatments
Sometimes I’m stupid, and I forget
And in the midst of that I've overlooked beautiful sunrises. I've gulped down coffee and food while thinking of totally unrelated situations. I've worried about things that are beyond my control.
I've forgotten too much of what I learned on my cancer journey.
As they say . . . denial ain’t just a river in Egypt!
Now that I'm on Grouchy Day #5, I finally realized that something must be going on in my psyche. Typically my grouchy days come one at a time and last maybe a day and a half - at the most.So what is it that's bugging me??What has me feeling ready to cry at almost anything, … Continue reading As they say . . . denial ain’t just a river in Egypt!
A word for 2014
I began the practice of asking for a "word for the year" last year at the suggestion of Abbey of the Arts. This is the suggestion, based on the tradition of going to the Desert Mothers and Fathers for "wisdom and guidance": One tradition was to ask for a word – this word or phrase would … Continue reading A word for 2014
Still processing
This seems to be a time in my life for processing - the breast cancer journey, bringing Sahkanaga home, my life in general. Processing always takes me a long time. I suppose ultimately it takes a lifetime. I'll begin with Sahkanaga. The movie did very well in Chattanooga. Last weekend it played to a pretty … Continue reading Still processing
Terrible and Wonderful: Chapter 2
"Who am I?" is a question we all consider, especially at the crisis times of our lives. It's certainly one that comes up a lot when you've been diagnosed with cancer and are undergoing treatments. We have been considering that question in our Sustainable Wellness group offered by Cancer Navigators in Rome, Georgia. I'm revisiting … Continue reading Terrible and Wonderful: Chapter 2
Better and better
When people ask, "How are you doing?" my answer is "Better and better!" Every single day I feel a bit better. What a contrast to three months ago when the last chemo was hitting me so hard. Or a month ago when I was having a seroma aspirated for the second time during my radiation … Continue reading Better and better
eddies and currents 