On this day one year ago I found out I had cancer. I will never forget that day, that moment, that feeling. Thinking about it I get choked up as I know not only I got cancer that day but my family and friends did too. Many of my treatment’s side effects are gone. I’m rockin’ short hair and bangs nowadays and everyone thinks it’s cool. I feel so blessed that I was diagnosed at stage 3 and my treatment plan was successful in putting me in remission.
The lessons learned while going through this journey is invaluable. I wouldn’t have changed it for the world although my Keoki would say different. I think it was the hardest on him. I was having everyday epiphanies while he was not getting sleep, being my nurse, working and being both mom and dad to the boys. Bald, bloated and sick he still looked at me like I was the most beautiful thing in the room. I never felt self-conscious. Today we are so strong because of it.
Each day I’m grateful to be living even when I’m having a bad day. I don’t get so worked up about things. I’m so proud of family and friends for stepping in without question to help me heal. I really do feel lucky to have had cancer. It definitely changed my life and I feel blessed to have experienced all of that and now be healthy and living life with wings.
In the photo above we participated in the Leukemia & Lymphoma Society Fundraiser. We were part of group F.L.U.S.H:
(F)ighting
(L)eukemia & Lymphoma
(U)nderstanding
(S)upporting
(H)elping
It was the first time our group entered and I’m thrilled to announce that our team raised the most money. We raised over $6000…YAHOOOO! I was so proud wearing the blue shirt that had SURVIVOR on the back. It really made me cry when Byron (our other team member who battled leukemia) & I held our team sign and lead our team around the waterpark. I felt triumphant. I loved standing out that night. The color of my shirt showed I fought and won. My balloon was white while everyone’s was red. Everything reminded me that it was ok to be proud of this past year.
