Ending 2022

Something really wonderful about a lack of blog posts is that it implies I am busy living life.

It has truly been a good year. Work has been a blast, and I adore all of my co-workers. It is a blessing to like working with those around you. They make my job a good one. Low drama, high output, and an all around fun and enjoyable atmosphere. Can't complain!

My side hustles have taken off pretty well, too. I've started focusing a lot on what I care about like crafting and photography, and if I can turn that into something that isn't just costing money, it can make me money, too, well, that's even better! So, B & C's Crafty cottage is doing well, and as of January when I started back up with photos, Grandma's Little Gallery Photography is also steady. The kids, the work, the crafts, and life all keep me busy.

The kids are great. I now have a 14 year old which blows my mind, but he is such a great kid. We just had high school open house, and I wanted to throw up the entire time. He, on the other hand, was buzzing with anticipation. I know he'll love high school. He has done so great in middle school and made such a good group of friends. He surprises me every day.

The 12 year old is another story. He hasn't taken to middle school quite as well. He is really struggling to stay focused this year. I hired a tutor to try to help him along, but until he decides he WANTS to do better, this is going to be a tough time to get through. He's still the sweetest kid with the biggest heart, but boy when he decides he doesn't like something, he really goes head first. I am still hoping we can turn this school year around. We'll have to see how it goes.

The little one is as sassy as ever. I can see a little bit of me in her, like when she started to plan her 6th birthday party the day after her 5th birthday party. Yes, that's definitely me. I can also see a lot of her dad in her, like when she refuses help when she is trying to do something or figure something out. That is 100% Tyler.

All three kids and healthy and for the most part happy. You know kids, God forbid I ask them to hang out when all they want to do is play with their friends or play video games. Evelyn has started playing video games with the boys now, too. She's actually quite good. She has been keeping up with the boys lately, and it's awesome to see them all interact and play together. Despite the age differences, the boys really make her feel welcome and part of the group when the three are them are together. They are great big brothers.

My October oncology appointment went fine. I had one count that was slightly elevated, but my doctor confirmed it's because I need to lose weight. So, that will be a big focus in the coming months. Eat less, move more. Sometimes just that reminder is enough to kick me back into gear. It is a lot harder these days to lose the weight than it was before all my surgeries. I am sure age is also a contributing factory. Everything gets harder the older we get.

One really amazing things that I did this year was get my mastectomy tattoos. It's something I was so looking forward to, and with most of the covid restrictions gone, I finally got it completed. It feels great and the artist I went to was fabulous. I have a coverup coming up this spring on my left arm. I was going to try and get that done this past fall, but my lymphedema was acting up, so I pushed it out until March. Losing weight and cooler weather help resolve some of the swelling.

That is all I have! Bring on 2023!

Ch-ch-ch-changes

Well, well, well. It's been about 15 months since I wrote a blog. Back at the end of 2020 I was still really struggling with PTSD and anxiety. My life has changed in ways I wouldn't have every imagined 15 months ago.

Fast forward to present day, and I swear to you, I am the same me just minus the severe anxiety! Is it a miracle drug? Nope. Just good-old-fashioned talk therapy! I found myself an incredible therapist back in 2020, and when my insurance changed in 2021 it took me a few tries, but I found another really wonderful therapist. Between the two of them, I was given the tools and confidence to take control of my anxiety. I have had the unique ability to not only overcome my PTSD, but also control my anxiety more than I've ever been able to before.

In addition to my two amazing therapists, I also formally became an ABCD mentor in December 2020. I think this helped the MOST with my PTSD and recurrence fears. I like to say that becoming a mentor gave the ugliest piece of my life meaning. I am helping others who are struggling with the BC diagnosis, because I have been in their shoes. It's a truly amazing thing to acknowledge that my journey is helping others through theirs. As of today, I have mentored 17 participants for various concerns through their journey. More information on ABCD and their work can be found here: abcdbreastcancersupport.org

Through ABCD, I was also asked to give an interview to the Institute of Beauty and Wellness for their annual fund raiser. All proceeds for the fund raiser go toward ABCD and helping to fund their amazing work. For the full fund raiser video you can follow this link (My interview is at the 1 hour 9 min mark): https://youtu.be/kxmR7xx5wMY

I also wrote a brief summary of my cancer journey for Susan G. Komen for them to feature on their blog and use in fundraiser blasts. When the marketing editor for Komen reached out to me for a photo, I debated sending a current picture, but in the end I decided that a photo from my last chemo treatment felt like a better fit.  That blog post can be found here: https://blog.komen.org/blog/the-hardest-year/

It's amazing the things I've been able to achieve now that my primary focus isn't on controlling my anxiety:

• got a promotion at my employer (woo-hoo)
  
• left that employer 4 months later for an amazing opportunity (yes, left my job of 6 years! I shocked even myself!)
• went back to college to finish my business management degree (Graduation is June '23!)
• decided to get back into my art (which took a dive after I was diagnosed) and even started a side gig as a photographer ( www.grandmaslittlegallery.com )
• getting monthly massages as a treat for myself
• am actually back to enjoying every day and not sweating the small stuff

I jokingly told my therapist last month that talking to her makes me a between wife, but in reality it was no joke at all.

I feel great, inside and out.

My next surgical check-up is 2/10, followed by my oncology appointment on 4/25. I have no concerns, and hope to keep it that way!