ADD Update

I titled this an ADD update, because I'm currently composing as I watch both the USA v. Australia Women's World Cup Game as well as Game 3 of the Stanley Cup Finals (Go Hawks!).  While I actually am capable of watching both and doing other things, I can't quite muster the mental focus needed for some academic writing I need to do so I'll post instead.  There's been studies don't that show the attention we can give to multiple things at once obviously diminishes, but I feel capable.  Maybe it's growing up in a big family that always talked on top of each other :)  Also, I should shout out to Mom and her cable package for providing the opportunity to stream both (kind of sad that neither are on the network channels my antenna picks up...). 

I had planned a celebratory trip to California for after radiation was supposed to be done, so left two Fridays ago for a long weekend with the California sisters and a visiting mom and Christian Witness Sponsor (apparently in 1985 (and maybe now?) this is the name of non-Catholic godparents).  The weekend was fantastic!  The highlights below:

Saturday: California's Great American!
Who doesn't love roller coasters?!  Tons of fun on a beautiful day with the whole family (and family to be, Mr. James!).  Getting a bit more wet than expected on a couple water rides wasn't that awesome, but it was all in good fun. 

Saturday Night: Camping in the "treehouse"
The Bechtels have this awesome suspended tent in some of the redwoods in their backyard.  The nieces and I spent the night out there which was pretty fun and awesome.  The rainfly was off, so looking up at the trees and sky was fantastic.  It's still a bit chilly at night, but we managed.

Sunday: Giants game!
Most of us headed down to AT&T park to see the Giants vs. Braves on a beautiful afternoon. Man I love baseball.  One of the greatest renditions of the national anthem I've heard courtesy of the violinist of the "President's Band" from the Marine Corps.  Definitely had one of those "God, I'm thankful that I live in a place and have the kind of life that I can spend a Sunday watching a bunch of people who get paid to play a sport for a living" moments.  It was great.

Monday: Shopping!
Karyn and I were on the prowl for the perfect dresses for Sarah's upcoming nuptials.  Surprisingly, my mental state was pretty ok despite not being super happy with the post-steroid/cancer body.  Probably helps that the exercise and eating well has been making an impact.  That evening, we had a fashion show (scorecards and everything!) of our multiple purchases for the family to get opinions.  May still be deciding :)

Tuesday: Departure :(
Ugh, traveling west to east is the worst.  I left SFO at 1:00 pm and landed in Charlotte at 9:00 pm.  Thanks to a delayed departure out of Charlotte I didn't get home time after midnight.  Well worth it for such a wonderful trip!

The late arrival back home wouldn't have been so rough except that the next day I drove over to Indianapolis for an appointment re: the clinical trials I had discussed last time I had been out there.  I had contacted them after I finished radiation (as directed) as we set up the appointment.  After a bit of thinking and discussion with the doc, I decided to do it. 

The trial (official listing here) is adding on another drug to the normal hormonal regimen that I'm already on.  The drug is palbociclib, trade name Ibrance.  It got expedited FDA approval and one of the trials actually ended early because they were seeing clear benefits, so it is a promising treatment.  It's been used in women with metastatic (currently active) disease and been helpful in delaying progression so now they are interested in whether it can prevent recurrence in those of us currently in remission (still weird to say that).  This trial isn't a randomized control (that's the next one), which for me is somewhat nice because it means I'm guaranteed to get the actual drug (vs a placebo as could happen in a RCT). 

I initially had a couple of hesitations.  One, a common/expected side effect is neutropenia, or decline in neutrophils, a particular white blood cells that has a prime role in the immune response.  Selfishly (maybe?), I didn't want to volunteer to be sick/have to be on high alert for infection for the 2 years that the study lasts.  In discussing with the doc and looking at recently presented data (presented at a conference literally 2 days before my appointment...she printed out the slide for me...) despite the high prevalence of neutropenia, the infection rates were quite low.  Basically meaning that despite the effect on the cells, people aren't getting "sick", so that concern was assuaged. 

The other main hesitation was simply the inconvenience of living in Dayton and the trial being in Indy.  Its a 2 hour drive, albeit an easy one.  There is a certain amount of monitoring (blood tests, doc visits, EKGs, etc) that is involved, particularly during the first few month-long cycles.  Some things (blood draws) I can do in Dayton, but most I have to make the trip. 

Essentially it boiled down to the fact that while I am sort of anticipating a recurrence at SOME point in my life, if I didn't do anything and everything I could to help prevent/delay it, I think I'd kick myself.  As Mom and I discussed, even if (God forbid) it's sooner rather than later, in the next couple of years, if I didn't do it, I think I'd always wonder, "could I have done more?"

So, I will go back in a couple weeks for my actual trial enrollment/screening and get first set of pills.  I have to wait a bit so that I'm a certain number of weeks out from radiation before I can start. 

The day after the trip to Indy, I followed up with the plastic surgeon.  I'll see him again in 2 months after I've completely healed from radiation (though even just in a week things have gotten SO much better!).  At that time, we'll discuss what he might do to improve skin texture (transfer of fat cells...take as much as you want from other places!!), nipple reconstruction, etc. 

Logistically, I received a bill that indicated I owed $50 for each individual radiation treatment (this was only for first couple weeks...).  You can imagine I wasn't too happy...  When I checked my online insurance info it said I have $0.00 patient responsibility.  So after a couple phonecalls (thanks Mom! you're the best!) we figured out that I didn't owe anything, the doctor's office just billed before insurance payments all went through.  Well, in figuring this out, it made me more carefully examine some other charges.  Turns out I had a number of instances where insurance actually paid in full, yet I have paid copays....  A few phonecalls later and I have a few refund checks headed my way.  I'm definitely not complaining about that, but it definitely seems like a bit of a screwed up system that it happened that way (and that I as the patient had to figure it out...).  I consider myself to be reasonably intelligent and understand medical terminology, but the financial side of all of this challenges even me!  I can't imagine what so many other people go through when faced with a major medical challenge like cancer. 

Other than those updates, nothing much else is new.  Research/work continues to move along, don't go see Mad Max (it's terrible, I'm not even going to honor it with a link to the IMDB page), I joined Sarah and Karyn in doing a 100 Burpee Challenge (and started a Facebook group, let me know if you want an invite to join the craziness), I started wearing headbands fairly frequently to try to tame the beast that is the growing out hair, two of my great friends confirmed travel here to Dayton for the end of the month, I read a really good book on how we should all embrace the right side of our brain, got out on the tennis court for the first time in awhile, and tried making cauliflower pizza crust (tasted good, not the right consistency, needed to be more dry).

Apologies for not including any pictures, but....my phone got wet today (ahemmmm fell out of my dress pocket into the toilet...that's what I get for trying to look nice!) and is currently on my office desk at work in a bag of rice (which yes, I realize is not necessarily the best approach, as evident from the link Alexis sent me as well as the multiple articles that just came up when I google searched for a relevant hyperlink...whatever, it was available (courtesy of the food lab) and has worked for some).  And, since I'm watching the game (NHL only now, nice win USA women!) on the iPad, I can't send the limited pictures I took from California. 

So in closing, if anyone has a functional Verizon smartphone that's newer than 1) my cracked screen 3G LG that's too old to even quickly find it; or 2) Sarah's iPhone 4 that they are willing to part ways with, please let me know.  Based on the blue screen of death I momentarily saw (didn't know those existed for phones...) and the buzzing noises it was making when it was supposedly powered down and submerged in rice, I'm not too hopefully for it's survival and think I'm a ways away from an upgrade. 

Done?

Done.  Done?  It's something I've said and asked the past two days.  Rewind to Thursday morning...

I had a regularly scheduled follow-up with the oncologist.  As he said "other than it looking like someone poured acid down your chest, you're doing great".  Um, thanks?

The medical assistant was completing my medical release for the First Descent trip in September which was nice to see.  Also nice to see this response:

Patient in Remission?  Yes.

So that's cool.  After that appointment, I got my third anti-hormone shot (ooo...exciting...other butt cheek!).  After, I went to the fancy grocery store with the delicious bakery (mmm...killer brownies...) to pick up some treats to give the radiation techs later.  Figured I could get way more for the money than with an pre-bought fruit basket.  After, it was to campus for some fac/staff wellness yoga (I'll have to post on that later...it's a different sort of practice than I've ever really done...).  Home for lunch then off for my last radiation treatment. 

 I couldn't help but smile a little when they called me back.  The techs were really appreciative of my  thank you (the one even said she texted her husband...apparently she's a big fan of the cookies I included).  It's an interesting relationship that I built with these people.  I pretty much had three, two girls and a guy, one girl a little more than the other.  The whole process is pretty quick and we fell into a fairly regular routine.  Normal pleasantries were exchanged when I'd arrive.  Then, as I'd lay there and they would align me (mind you I'm half exposed at this point), we'd tend to chit chat a little bit.  I'd find out random things (ex, the guy has kids, lives in Cincinnati, turned on his A/C when it was hot, is from Wisconsin and once worked selling shoes at Macy's), sometimes talk about whether I had biked or not, what was going on at school etc.  Thing is, their job is to go pretty quickly, so these conversations only lasted a few minutes.  But there were thirty-three few minute conversations.  So...yeah, I grew pretty comfortable and familiar with these folks.  Still, when they gave hugs afterwards, it's still a little awkward to be in a hospital gown hugging the people that have seen you half naked for the past 6+ weeks.  They gave me this hilarious (in my mind) certificate:

 

As I was leaving, it was nice to know that I wouldn't be routinely returning at least for some time.  Monthly shots, sure.  Follow-ups, yes.  But real, steady treatment, hopefully not.

 

Semi-emotional interlude.  I'm happy to be done.  It's been a long and interesting 9 months.  Probably the most body-changing, life-impacting 9 months I'll have (especially considering I very well may never be able to conceive a child and go through a pregnancy).  So, yes, being done feels "good".  But it can also be a little scary.  The thought of "when will it come back?" is pretty near the front of my mind.  And yes, I realize that statement could be an "if" rather than a "when", but I feel like some preparation for what might happy is warranted.  Like the surgeon said, she hopes I don't go off and get a pink ribbon tattoo because when people do, and find themselves back in the office a few years later, that permanent reminder of that last time only annoys.  So while I'm happy, and I've celebrated (more on that in a bit), I'm not going too crazy.  And, because the radiation went so well, and didn't seem that hard, it sort of feels like a modest celebration is all that is warranted. 

 

So it was 2:30 and I was done.  I felt like treating myself, which for me usually means food (no wonder I have weight issues!), but I didn't have my wallet with me so headed home.  I decided to walk to the nearby bakery where I got a "worth it" cupcake and pretty decent cookie:

 

Buckeye style...mmmmmm...peanut butter.  And that was pretty much it.  I spent the rest of the afternoon/evening basically lounging and thinking about it all. 

 

Today, I worked with students all morning and then enjoyed lunch (courtesy of my generous colleague in celebration) at the Mexican restaurant years-in-development near campus with the work friends.  After, my overly generous mom had sent my a spa gift certificate so I decided to have a much more enjoyable 2 o'clock appointment and get a pedicure. 

 

That's a little bit of color WU crew!  I think it was called "Clay" :)  The spa is super posh and fancy, not my total comfort zone, but enjoyable none the less!  I go back tomorrow for my massage.  There are some special concerns/considerations with massage now given  the lymph node removal and recent radiation treatment.  Mostly, he can't work the tender areas and can't use hard pressure on the side with node removal.  Shouldn't be a problem as I'm really looking forward to some leg/hip/low back work.  Getting back into the swing of working out comes with a few aches and pains!

After the fancy treatment, I shopped a little, which didn't do much to lift my spirits (clothes being expensive, not fitting well, etc.).  May just have to keep rocking the workout pants and a couple pairs of jeans that fit this summer!  While I was letting my toes dry, I decided to use the rest of the movie gift card my mom had given me (she spoils me...she knows it, I know it, we're ok with it) to buy a ticket to see Tomorrowland.  Looks like reviews are a little mixed, but I enjoyed it.  Feels a little bit maybe like the young adult version of Wall-E in some ways.  I won't spoil it for people, but there's a bit of a "lesson" in it, and one that hit me pretty hard.  And if Disney wants to try to use it's power and influence for good, I'm ok with that.

If we're Facebook friend you may have seen I shared a couple TED talks by Brene Brown, a researcher on shame and vulnerability.  I read her book Daring Greatly a couple days ago (literally in a night + a little bit...so much time when you don't get sucked into binge Netflixing!).  Yes, it's self-help, and I know that's not everyone's thing, but I really enjoyed it and liked a lot of what she had to say.  It made me think a lot also about the whole "journey" of the past nine months.  I've probably been more vulnerable on this blog than I even realize.  And, I think that has helped me fight, or enter the arena as she might say.  I also think in general, the cancer has forced vulnerability upon me.  It took away any invincibility I thought I might have had (and I didn't think I had that much to start).  And with that came courage and strength. 

Another concept in the book, talks, and other self-help/psychology type readings (yes, I've read a few, and discussed them with therapists I've seen, and yes that is plural) is the idea of gratitude.  A lot can be said for the simple act of recognizing that which you are grateful for.  As my one shrink said, even if it's something as small and seemingly insignificant as being thankful that someone painted the yellow stripes down the middle of the road so that cars don't run into each other, we can always find something to be grateful for. To list my gratitudes here would take up far too many lines, but I'll simply put this as another "Lesson Learned".

Be more grateful.
This is an emotion you can't get enough of.  It's the best kind of uncomfortable to have an overwhelming sense of gratitude.  It's happened many times towards great people, opportunities, and moments that this cancer brought upon you.

So I'm done.  I don't think I'll be done with this blog.  There's still things to come...last reconstruction, clinical trials, follow-ups, etc. So you're not done with me just yet :)

As I was waiting to be seen on Thursday, I overheard (thin walls!) the exam room next to mine.  Combined with listening to the NP and docs dictations, I could piece the story together pretty well.  Diagnosed in 2009 (if I'm remembering right) with stage III breast cancer (like mine), at her yearly check-in. All's well.  There was real joy in the voices of her, her husband, and the doc to see one another and have nothing much to talk about other than what was new in life.  That's one appointment I will look forward to. 

A Welcomed Cancellation

Saw the radiation doc for the routine weekly skin check yesterday at treatment.  As I mentioned, I started to peel from the burns and it's got increasingly worse.  If I was tech savvy enough to do the Buzzfeed-style "Warning: Graphic Image.  Click to reveal" black boxes, I would.  Instead, just take my word for it. 

Because of the skin damage that I have and that it is also occurring around my lateral scar, the radiation doc has decided to cancel the five scheduled "scar boost" treatments. Apparently, a lot of people don't do them (particularly if there's been reconstruction) and nothing in my pathology suggests it is necessary.  So...

my last radiation treatment is Thursday!

 

It was surprising, but great news.  I checked into leaving earlier for California (since I had originally scheduled my Friday post-treatment departure) but on short notice those flights are considerably more.  Plus, it will probably be good to not miss additional days, so I can be around for my summer students (first meeting with them yesterday went well, but multiple projects is a lot to keep track of!). 

 

Thursday is also my 3rd anti-hormone shot as well as an appointment with my oncologist, so will be a big day.  It'll definitely be a change to go to such infrequent appointments!  I need to contact the Indiana doc about getting in the clinical trial, and there's still plastics and some reconstruction (ahem...nipple) left, but this is the last big step!

 

Not bad news for a Monday.

Start of Summer!

Pardon the lack of posts...I know that some of you rely on it to stay in touch. Just realize that no news is good news in this case!  I'm feeling much more like myself, back to my 'normal' life, and who wants to hear about that?!  As much as I have joked that people would love a movie of my life, I don't think it's all that interesting!

After classes finished (my last post), finals happened (more stressful for the students than me), I hunkered down and did some grading, attending graduation where "President Bartlett" accepted an honorary degree...

Haha, I'm the one taking the picture in the middle left.

 

It was different than last year as I knew the majority of students graduating from our programs.  We line up and give hugs, and I said goodbye to a lot of really great kids.  The next day I finally finished uploading grades and I was done done. 

 

What a year.  It seems like so long, yet in some ways it flew by.  I know I don't give myself enough credit for not just surviving, but continuing to thrive (as my colleagues, friends, family, etc remind me) this year.  Remember those Lessons to Remember from a past post?  Here's another one...

 

Anne, you're capable of giving yourself credit.

You did it on this blog.  For "everyone".  Do it more often. You deserve it.

 

But enough of the mushy stuff...

 

The summer brings about a time of renewal for academics and it's an important one.  I've allowed myself to take it pretty easy this first week.  It'll be a busy summer of research and advising students, but I checked out a little bit the past few days which was needed.  It probably helped it felt like summer as it was nearly 90 here!

 

Speaking of heat, how's radiation?  Well, it continues to go pretty well.  I started to have the skin irritations I was warned of, including peeling skin (I'll save you the grisly photos on here, but if you want to see, just let me know...).  It has led to a new use for pantyliners though..

Got to prevent any rubbing...

 

My preferred mode of transportation to and from treatment has been my trusty (and pretty!) commuter bike:

 

With very useful pannier and basket.

 

It feels pretty good to walk in to that place, helmet in hand, glistening a little (or a lot) from some sweat.  Brings a sense of control back.  It's about a 3 mile ride from campus, with a little hill to push me a bit.  The way from there to my house has a couple bigger hills...while pretty, my bike isn't necessarily made for climbing, but it gives me a good quad burn!

 

If only a were running...and at that pace...

 

"Speaking" of running, I ran today!  And a little last Friday!  I did the 4 mile run/walk last Friday that Runners Plus sponsored, a good (but hot!) time with my friend Maura.  This morning, I met up with my colleague Diana in Yellow Springs to jog/walk on the bike path there.  Wasn't jogging fast, didn't jog the whole 5 miles, but I did jog a bit.  Considering it's been about 9 months since I was jogging routinely, I'd say the baby steps are moving in the right direction. 

Tuesday night, I was very "urban" and went to free group yoga downtown at the Riverscape Pavillion.  Go w/ the Flow Yoga was teaching to 300 people!  It was pretty fun.

 

I'm on the middle left again, this time not taking a picture.

 

So as you might guess from my activity levels, other than the peeling skin, I'm not having any ill effects of the radiation (i.e. fatigue).  Hormone therapy is alright as well, though the hot flashes have returned.  Those combined with heat and my stubbornness to refuse to turn on my A/C in May leads to pretty sweaty nights.  Considering these treatments will last years, perhaps I should invest in these, or these.  



 

One of the side effects I'm working my way out of is that whole hair loss thing from chemo.  It continues to grow and I'm in a pretty awkward fro stage right now....

 

Post workout...always the worst time.

 

Fortunately, "product" comes in handy and helps tame the beast.  I've sort of moved out of the spiky look and into a combed 'do...thinking that could be an easier transition to a longer hairstyle.

 

Back is still a curly mess...

 

 

Other than the awkwardness of growing hair out, things are good.  Had friends over for Cinco de Mayo (if you've never made slow cooker carnitas, you need to...so good, so easy), played some croquet, had some good times.  I'm looking forward to being in this great house for a full summer.  I've already taken advantage of some good deck time while doing work, watching Netflix, etc. 

 

"Speaking" of Netflix, I'm nearing the end of my recent binge...Gilmore Girls.  I pretty much want to marry Luke Danes. 

 

Can't you see it?!



 

I watch too much TV. I know this.  After I'm done with GG I'm taking a break from screentime and going to get some reading in.  I usually avoid reading because a lot of times it'll keep me up at night, but it's the summer!  Less of a structured schedule allows for some flexibility, including catching up on sleep if necessary :)

 

Think that's about it for the update.  I booked a flight out to California at the end of May to visit (mom will be there too!), do some shopping for Sarah's wedding (two months from today!), and celebrate being done with radiation!  Looking forward to that!

 

Classes Done

End of the semester!  Always a busy time, so apologies for the lack of a posting.  Some recapping:

Radiation and Treatments
Continues to go well.  The system is mostly efficient and so far I've been free on any side effects.  Perhaps the recommended skin care routine is working...

 

I got my second anti-hormone shot on Thursday.  Last month, there was some small concern that it wasn't working as it should be and I had to do some follow-up tests, but everything looked fine.  So we'll continue to monitor and see how this month goes.

 

Work
Busy, busy, busy!  It's the end of the semester and I choose to do oral exams in my physiology classes where students come in and talk about a few topics for ~10-15 minutes.  I really think it is great for them and a good way to gauge learning.  But, with 60 students, it's a bit of a time suck!

My research class did a lovely little poster session for their semester long projects...

 

They are a great group of kids.  Most (all but 4) are graduating seniors, some of whom I had for 2 classes.  It'll be different at graduation next Saturday to give hugs to kids I actually know! (Dayton is nice in that the ceremony says all names, and faculty are welcome to come down from their seats to congratulate the graduates after they've gotten their diploma).  But looking at their baby faces does make me feel like I'm getting old!

Other good work things though...had a good interim tenure review and officially received word that I'll spend 3 weeks in Chile in Summer 2016!  It's part of Dayton's Global Education Seminar that engages a faculty cohort in a year-long seminar building up to a 3 week in-country experience in an effort to broaden the international opportunities for students and faculty. I'm in a great cohort and a department colleague is going this year, so hopefully can build upon what she is getting set up.  Should be pretty great!

Working Out
I decided to try to get back in a bit of shape, so decided to restart Insanity

 

It's a great program.  But it's hard!  And I have nearly no core and upper body strength right now...but as I've been trying to tell myself, lots of room for improvement!  The good news is that in the last two weeks, between Insanity and the trips to radiation each day (and taking the stairs on the way up when I come back!) my activity levels are staying higher!

 

 

Life in General

Despite keeping busy, life otherwise has been pretty good as of late. Friday was a particularly exciting day as after having received the good work news, while waiting for my last oral exam of the day, I decided to sign up for a First Descents adventure!  FD is this really cool organization that supports outdoor adventures for young cancer survivors/fighters.  So for my 30th birthday in September, I'll be spending it on a week long adult-camp adventure rock climbing in the Adirondacks!

 

 

I'm really excited!  At first, I wasn't sure if I should make the plan over Labor Day/birthday weekend, in hopes that other celebrations might come together...but then I decided that it really should be about me!  So, I expressed my interest, they got back to me, and I confirmed a spot!  And, as the small world would have it, one of the full-time staffers is a UD grad that I've met in Denver at an alumni event!  And there's another Flyer on staff also.  I think it's going to be great.

 

Friday night was fun checking out the new Dayton Beer Company taproom with some friends.  It was a little Ft. Collins-10-years-ago but fun to see so many younger, normal looking folk having a good time out in Dayton!  I also feel like despite the extra weight and still short hair that I'm getting a little bit of my confidence back (in that I could feel ok wearing yoga pants and a sweatshirt and not really give a shit).  Having such a good day at the office on Friday probably helped with that as well!

 

 

 



 



Two down...

...thirty three to go!?!

Successfully completed my second treatment at radiation, third day there.  

I started Monday after seeing these lovelies in my office...

I told you I had great coworkers! 

The first day was just an X-ray to make sure that all of my positioning was ok and learn the ropes a bit for what to do when I arrived, etc.  

Tuesday was my last day of lecturing!  That's pretty exciting.  I gave a guest lecture in this Sport and Bodies course...was also pretty fun.  Got to talk about fat shaming and healthy bodies and diseases of the world.  It was pretty neat.  Then before I knew it, the clock hit two and it was time to get going and head to radiation.  

It's literally about five minutes away, so that's convenient.  I arrive, scan a card so they know I'm there, quick change into a gown and throw my clothes in a locker and then head in.  I have my personalized mold waiting that I lie in while the techs get me all lined up.  Then they exit and there's a series of "take a deep breath and hold......okay you can breathe".  If it wasn't for that it might be a relaxing ten minutes!  I can't feel or see anything (though clearly I try to figure out what is going on at all times).  

Tuesday they marked me up with permanent marker, today they used a washcloth over the breast to change the depth of the treatment, so there's a bit of variation.  I also had a nurse visit where she gave me the run down on using lotion, keeping it dry, expected side effects, etc.  I know that over time, irritations will occur and all that (also, I can't shave! Ew!) but it actually seems pretty easy enough.  

Today on campus was the Stander Symposium, an "alternative day of learning" that's a great day to showcase all of the creative and scholarly works of our talented undergrads.  I spent the day interacting with them, other faculty members etc.  It was one of those days that reminds me why I wanted this job in the first place!  I had two students presenting who did a great job.

A student review session later (also surprisingly fun for me) and all in all a good day!  Tomorrow is chalk full of appointments, a visit to the plastics guy (hopefully where they'll tell me I can stop wearing this stupid bandeau bra top thing), radiation, and also a uterine ultrasound (precaution to make sure that my hormones to suppress my ovaries are working as they are supposed to).  As I've said before, it's a good thing that I don't mind going to the doctor! 

And then...

Faith is restored...

You have an overpriced but tasty margarita on a cheap patio with a friend and wonder why squad cars are flying by as you congratulate her on her promotion. 

You have a "friend date" with someone you've only known through playing an adult sport with and enjoy a delicious beer, burger, and hour of getting to know one another and laughing. 

You catch up with a friend at an event where women have paid to get pampered but really just to support a good cause. 

You can't resist having a "nice little Saturday" and stopping by Home Depot to pick up flowers to plant because you're lucky enough to have a yard. 

You shop at a new grocery store, running into one of the many people who you've met in the past year and has shown you support during these hard times. 

You FaceTime with your family, seeing their smiling faces and give hugs and kisses through the screen. 

You soak up sun and get your hands dirty cleaning up the leftovers of fall to prepare for the new comings of spring. 

You mow the lawn and think about how the last time you did, you were in the middle of chemo and it may have pushed you a bit too hard, but not today. 

You sit back after a productive day and think, life isn't so bad, in fact, it's pretty great. 

You laugh at the difference a day (or two) makes. 

You are thankful for that difference.