A very innocent thing happened today that stopped me in my tracks... I got a reminder letter to make my annual OB-Gyne appointment.  Now this letter should be just the typical dread of this lovely must-do instead it was a tearful reminder of all that a year has meant to me!  This was where it all began last year and I was absolutely overwhelmed with emotions.  So many thoughts ran through my head all at once:  disbelief that it has already been close to a year since last November, thrilled that I can go to that appointment being cancer free, sadness, need to talk about all the changes in my body to find help, and even some excitement to have the chance to thank Dr. Huang for being the one to find the tumor and sent me on my journey with some fantastic doctors.  I will have to call and make this appointment and face it when it comes.

I am finding myself fighting the urge to try to be normal and overdo.  This weekend was the perfect example.  I was in the sun way too much and I tried to do way too much when it came to taking the camper down.  It was hot and sunny and I had all my energy drained in a matter of minutes!!  It has taken until tonight to feel better which feels so unusual since I want to be able to do more than my body will allow me.  I am really grateful that I can do all that I do and I usually remember that I am still recovering as well as still going through treatments. 

As I was talking to my friends over lunch today I realized another reason I want to share this story with you all... I want to spread the knowledge that cancer treatment is not scary!!!  Don't get me wrong cancer itself is terrifying and I cannot make that any easier, but the treatments are not.  In talking and in taking others with me to my treatments has opened my eyes to how "mythical" these treatments are to most people.  We hear about them in a broad sense and it is usually in some form of negative sense.  I would love to be able to take each of you into the different treatments to let you know how not scary they really are... that is my new goal so keep an eye out for this in the future.  BUT the one thing I do know that all the people who have been involved in my treatments are some of the most caring, wonderful people I have ever met!  It is such a blessing to be taken care of by all of them!

In talking with a former students mom today I realized that I have supporters in almost all 50 states as well as many other places around the world.  It was another emotional moment of my day when I was talking about how awesome it was to be honored by my former student who did Relay for Life and put out a luminary for me along the route she walked.  This allowed me to add another state to my list and warmed my heart that I have been able to inspire my students while I taught them as well as long after.  I am a teacher who really does care about the students who become part of my family each year.  Teaching is not just a job but is everything I have always wanted to do!  I know that is why I have been able to find the strength to teach even through last years treatments. 

Life is so short so love what you do!