Unplugging and Recharging: Finding Solace in Simplicity

Recognizing When It's Time to Step Back and Rediscover Balance On the heels of a busy holiday season, I transition into my busiest season at work - Q1. From November through April the rhythm of daily life beats relentlessly on and demands seem ceaseless. With my new normal, living with the side effects of cancer… Continue reading Unplugging and Recharging: Finding Solace in Simplicity

Older Siblings: The Unsung Role Models in Our Lives

How Big Brothers and Sisters Shape Who We Become I was having a conversation with my younger sister Angie last week about something my oldest brother said off-handed to me a few years ago - that we did not grow up together. It seemed important to him that my husband understood this. It is a… Continue reading Older Siblings: The Unsung Role Models in Our Lives

The Gift That Keeps Giving

So, I just came home from my annual eye exam. Easy peasy. One would think. Strike that. Who am I kidding? Life never gives me easy peasy. The eye exam with the tech was going on as usual. Eye puff, check. Reading a chart to the minuscule, check. Looking at dots, check. Getting weird yellow… Continue reading The Gift That Keeps Giving

The Complexities of Identifying as a Cancer Survivor

From diagnosis day in August of 2023 others around me have been calling me a survivor. I have mixed feelings about this. So far, I've been through two surgeries, chemotherapy, radiation, and now I'm on my second aromatase inhibitor with a plethora of side effects that I struggle to cope with in my current everyday… Continue reading The Complexities of Identifying as a Cancer Survivor

The Crone Redefined: GenX Rebellion Against Aging Stereotypes

Generation X, currently facing empty nest and retirement, is redefining the three stages of womanhood - maiden, mother, and crone. They embrace each phase with resilience and independence, debunking stereotypes and embracing wisdom with a dash of sass. Embracing the term "crone" as a badge of honor, they continue to rock out at concerts and start new ventures, embodying a renaissance spirit.

One Year… I’m still here

Our scars can destroy us, even after the physical wounds have healed. But if we survive them, they can transform us. They can give us power to endure and strength to fight. The Batman The subtext of The Batman movie is not dissimilar to the cancer journey. In this case the sadistic killer is cancer.… Continue reading One Year… I’m still here

Milestone Reflection: Battling Breast Cancer and Setting Goals for the Future

Hello friends... Wow, what a year I have had. This past year my milestone age didn't really sink in with all of what that means. I've had a singularity of focus - battling breast cancer. On this last day of this year, I'm feeling like time is catching up with me. Usually when I hit… Continue reading Milestone Reflection: Battling Breast Cancer and Setting Goals for the Future

Revisiting Northern Exposure

For years I've wanted to re-watch Northern Exposure and finally it's on Amazon Prime Video. I loved that show and would reference it occasionally in conversation, as recent as six months ago. Happy dance it's back!! I finished the re-watch a couple of weeks ago. Through it I was thinking about my experience watching it… Continue reading Revisiting Northern Exposure

Mountain Lion in the Fridge

I read the following in an online support group and it describes this experience pretty accurately (sorry, I don't know who the original author is)... This still makes me cry every time I read it…I’m almost 3 weeks post chemo…but it is SO relatable and describes our journey pretty accurately. CANCER: THE MOUNTAIN LION IN… Continue reading Mountain Lion in the Fridge

Day 171, 10 Days Post Last Chemo, Stay Golden Ponyboy

Day 171 I'm in the mindset that it only gets better from here. I'm in the nadir of my last chemo cycle, so I'm feeling pretty down - exhausted, weak, and have neuropathy and chemo brain. But I feel better days are on the horizon. I just have to get through the next thing, radiation.… Continue reading Day 171, 10 Days Post Last Chemo, Stay Golden Ponyboy

Generations…

Before I took a break for my surgery and recovery, I was contemplating my grandmother's birthday back in September. She would have been 111 if she was still alive. She passed 34 years ago this past August. I think about her and how important my relationship was with her. In those moments that seem ordinary,… Continue reading Generations…