Tag Archive | cancer

New Attitude

Sometimes we can be our own worst enemy, shaping our lives and image of ourselves based on outside input and descriptions others have deemed to be true. From birth, we take on the totality of remarks and declarations outright or subtly put in our heads. Whether it’s from parents uttering – “oh, you’re so pretty” maybe trying to build up our self-esteem or to teachers concluding “you don’t really have a head for numbers” in an effort to shield us from what they perceive as a possible failure.

♦♦♦♦♦♦

These early definitions paint a picture we add to as we approach life and try to sort out how we fit in and what we’re capable of accomplishing. We are socialized by our peers, teachers, and loves. What we hear we sometimes assimilate to and believe.

♦♦♦

I used to call myself a late bloomer, but a therapist corrected me saying “No, you come into things in your own time.” That perspective totally changed the way I thought of myself and opened my eyes to the fact that I was basing my definition of self on what others deemed as “appropriate” timing or behavior. I had been primarily judging myself by letting society dictate, on some level, my worthiness.

Maybe, if we stop letting others define who we are, we might just find the person we were meant to be.

 

 

 

 

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ACS CAN 2017 Lights of Hope✨✨✨

2017 Lights of Hope Ceremony

I am so honored to have been named an Ambassador for the American Cancer Society Cancer Action Network and representing Charlotte, North Carolina this September in Washington, D.C. for the Lobby Days Summit and Lights of Hope Ceremony. As an Ambassador I will be shining a light on the need for access to quality health care for all and Congress’ responsibility to do everything they can and more in the fight against cancer.

On September 12th, more than 24,000 Lights of HOPE luminaries will line the steps in front of the Lincoln Memorial Reflecting Pool. For some, this ceremony is a celebration of survivorship. But, for far too many, it’s a remembrance of someone who was lost to this dreaded disease.

Each Light of HOPE luminary costs just $10 and will be personalized with the name of the person you’re honoring and placed in front of the Lincoln Memorial Reflecting Pool as part of this beautifully moving ceremony.

Purchase your luminary here:

http://action.acscan.org/site/TR/Events/GeneralACSCAN?px=3999158&pg=personal&fr_id=1150

When diagnosed with both colon and breast cancer in 2015, my world was turned upside down as I fought to survive the beast that cancer can be. I am a fighter and a survivor and knew that if I made it through I would volunteer and dedicate my efforts towards finding a cure for cancer and being a voice for fellow cancer patients.

 

I give testimony to the fact that you never know when cancer may strike. Just recently, my heart was broken when I lost my dear, sweet Nurse Navigator, Pat McKinney, whose love and spirit helped ease the anxiety my husband and I felt when I was first diagnosed. She set appointments, answered our questions and eased my journey with her calm and gentle voice. Not only did I lose this beautiful angel, but I lost her to cancer.

 

When we first met she was on her way to the Lobby Days Summit and Lights of Hope Ceremony in Washington, D.C. She imparted to me her belief that I would be there one day fighting for a cure with all the passion in my heart. I will be lighting a special candle for my dear angel and friend. Her spirit will be there along with my mom whom I know watches over me.

Pat McKinney, Me

The Lights of Hope event is a beautifully moving ceremony with the glow of lights from thousands of luminarias lining the steps of the Lincoln Memorial in dedication to the survivors and in remembrance of those we’ve lost to the nightmare of cancer.  

Please join me in this fight against cancer while celebrating the lives of survivors, friends, and loved ones.

Click this link to donate to the American Cancer Society and purchase your luminary for this very special and moving event.

 

Image result for hope quotes

CHILL! 😎

image

I am a political junkie and dealing with the current state of campaigns and the dubious nature of some of those running is just mind numbing.

I have to portion out the amount of news I consume so I don’t throw my shoe at the tv. (cause I love my tv)

Throughout my colon and breast cancer journey, I’ve sought calm and meditation. With this quote, I think I’ve found my new mantra – “Do not let the behavior of others destroy your inner peace”.

CHILL!

Why I Write

I am often drawn to quotes from other writers, philosophers and notables. They can be impactful and a window inside the souls of “truth seekers.” Some quotes make me go “um” and others just jump out and make me shout, YES! This is what’s in my heart; this observation expresses a feeling in a way I hadn’t thought about.

John Cheever’s quote sums up why I write and aptly expresses me:

whyiwrite

Writing about my cancer journey is my way of making sense of the chaos of Cancer. It’s also a cathartic exercise and way to connect and possibly express what others are thinking but don’t know exactly how to explain.

New Attitude

Sometimes we can be our own worst enemy, shaping our lives and image of ourselves based on outside input and descriptions others have deemed to be true. From birth, we take on the totality of remarks and declarations outright or subtly put in our heads. Whether it’s from parents uttering – “oh, you’re so pretty” maybe trying to build up our self-esteem or to teachers concluding “you don’t really have a head for numbers” in an effort to shield us from what they perceive as a possible failure.

♦♦♦♦♦♦

These early definitions paint a picture we add to as we approach life and try to sort out how we fit in and what we’re capable of accomplishing. We are socialized by our peers, teachers, and loves. What we hear we sometimes assimilate to and believe.

♦♦♦

I used to call myself a late bloomer, but a therapist corrected me saying “No, you come into things in your own time.” That perspective totally changed the way I thought of myself and opened my eyes to the fact that I was basing my definition of self on what others deemed as “appropriate” timing or behavior. I had been primarily judging myself by letting society dictate, on some level, my worthiness.

Maybe, if we stop letting others define who we are, we might just find the person we were meant to be.

 

 

 

It’s a Beautiful Day!

As my journey fighting cancer continues, I find myself more conscious of God’s grace in waking me up each day. The gift that I’ve been given from this challenge is the opportunity to appreciate, enjoy and live each day with purpose and without fear. Fear is a thief. It robs us of the opportunity to stand in the moment and forces us to focus on the past and future instead of the now.

Livetoday

I tell my family that going through this is really God’s love. He loves me so much that he wants me to go to the next level of awareness.  To stretch and fully treasure my life and those in it.

I haven’t seen or heard this powerful song from the Broadway play and film “Rent” in numerous years and was caught off guard when listening as the tears began to stream down my face. The words still ring true and my emotion is still very real.

 

Tomorrow is not promised so there is – “No Day But Today.”