tomorrow is my 4 year cancerversary

I saw someone on Thursday that I haven't seen in a long while. She genuinely asked me how I was doing... Tomorrow, on April 3rd it will be four years since I found out I had cancer, the anniversary of my 1st cancer surgery, four years of living with Sarcoma. Thank you Lord for these four years. I feel lucky and blessed to be here and to be healthy. Four months ago on December 2nd, I had my 3rd surgery to rid my body of cancer. Since then I've been able to recover quickly and pretty much forget about it. I feel good. But an anniversary date always makes you reflect and remember. Last night I clicked on my sidebar, on the word Cancer, and read all the posts I've written about it. My blog is generally a feel good place for me, where I write about my crafts and sewing projects, home improvements, what I've been up to, golf outings, fun with friends, posts about my family, especially my grandson, so there really aren't that many about my cancer. I don't like to live with those thoughts, worrying about cancer. I like to forget about it and live my blessed life. I feel good so therefore I should be cancer free, right? I sure hope so! I don't feel any cancer inside of me, so maybe, just maybe it's not there anymore, please. April brings all the memories back. At the end of the month I'll have a scan to see what's going on in there. Every year since my original diagnosis we've had to "watch" something. I'm hoping and praying that this time there's nothing to watch, that my lungs are totally clean and cancer free, not even a teeny tiny little speck of a spot to watch. 
And I can continue to live every day of my blessed life with all the joys that surround me. 

blessings to share with you...

I have some exciting news to share with you... I'm going to be a Grandma again!

We are all so happy! Especially Carter... just look at how excited he is to be a "big cousin"

That's my daughter who's expecting in May. Due date May 20th to be exact, her birthday! Wouldn't that be something! Carter was born on his Mom's birthday remember?!

Here's my new grandbaby

a boy or a girl...we'll have to wait and see

and we are very happy!

showing gratitude

Melissa at The Inspired Room, always a great read, posted a list today of 20 Little Attitudes of Gratitude. She is in a different place in her life with young children, so I've highlighted the ones that hit home for me. My top "Remember to thank God for blessings each day".

1. Mind your manners. Say please, thank you and excuse me.
2. Smile when you see your family. Turn your frown upside down.
3. Pick up after yourself and for someone else too. Be happy you have someone to pick up after!
4. Notice when others do kind things for you, show gratitude by action or words.
5. Say I love you before you leave in the morning and before bed at night.
6. Give hugs daily.
7. Don't worry about tomorrow. Focus on what you are happy about today.
8. Create gratitude journals to keep track of daily blessings.
9. Show thankfulness for even the little things others do for you.
10. Leave love notes in unexpected places like lunch boxes and under pillows.
11. Encourage someone with a compliment.
12. Verbalize what you are grateful for when you feel like complaining about life.
13. Keep a basket of small slips of paper on the table. Write notes of thankfulness during the week and read them to each other during a family meal.
14. Remember to thank God for blessings each day.
15. Surprise your family (or friends) with little gifts or treats to show you thought of them.
16. No grumbling about minor annoyances around the house.
17. Do special things to cherish time with your family. You never know what tomorrow will bring.
18. Reflect on happy memories regularly. Make inspiration boards or photo walls of special times.
19. Help someone out without them having to ask you. Watch for someone in need.
20. When you are doing household chores, be grateful you have a home to clean.

by Melissa Michaels

Thanks Melissa! That last one, #20, is especially true today, with unemployment and recession in our midst. So as I vacuum and dust my house this morning, getting ready for family to visit, I'll be counting my blessings, and enjoying every minute!

Happy Thanksgiving!

people in our lives...

It's funny how people come into our lives for a reason... a reason we may not even know at the time.
I met my friend Carolyn through my golf group. She's a great golfer and a fun person to be around. She's an upbeat and positive person, a friend that I look forward to seeing every week.
We have a lot in common... and even though I'm 9 years older, it doesn't feel like it. We both have wonderful husbands (who golf of course!), we both have 3 beautiful daughters, come from the Northeast, are avid tennis players and golf gal pals,
and... both of us have had Cancer.
She had breast, I've had sarcoma. A few weeks back she found out that she's had a recurrence, lung nodules showing up for the 2nd time. She's currently undergoing Chemo and she's doing great. Hopefully this will be the treatment to make them disappear for good.
Well... I had my follow up CT scan this past week, to follow nodules they've seen in my lung. After 6 months they've continued to grow and they're now at a size they want to do something about it, coincidentally the same operation that Carolyn had last year. My Oncologist even referred me to her same surgeon.
A "blessing" of a sort to have someone close to you, be able to advise you through an experience they have also shared. Believe me, I wouldn't wish the big C on anyone, but I am grateful for this person in my life to guide me through what to expect. It's a comfort knowing she's been through it and came back strong as ever.
We'll both be back from this strong as ever!
We didn't know we had so much in common when we met, but now I know, we met for a reason. God puts people in our lives... we're here for each other... to comfort, support and help each other.

I have hope and I have faith.
I have a wonderful supportive family, a caring group of friends, and a loving God who I prayerfully ask to see us both through this round.