The Gist of Life

Blog

spring happenings

motherhood

Happy Summer! This week marked the official start of summer break and I couldn’t be happier. I look forward to my three month work vacation every school year, but this summer was welcomed with open arms. This past spring delivered a roller coaster of events and emotions. I’ll catch you up, but I can’t promise…

no mo chemo

cancer

Let me say that again: NO MO CHEMO! Translated as: No More Chemo 🙂 The past couple weeks have been a whirlwind, but I will start at the beginning. I was at the Mayo Clinic for two days – scans on the first, doctor consult on the second – my favorite [eye roll]. I’m getting…

a grapefruit

cancer

A grapefruit brought tears to my eyes last night. Yep, you read that right… a grapefruit. Over the past five years I haven’t been able to have a single taste of anything grapefruit, not one little drop. It’s been one of the many lovely limitations while taking my chemo pill, [there are actually a lot…

being present

cancer

Merry [almost] Christmas 🙂 Over the past couple weeks, the holiday craze has set in, both at work and at home. In my classroom, I have been a lion tamer, snapping my whip just enough to keep a classroom full of snarling lions in line. Around this time of year, students seem to think they…

oh, hey there

the in-between

Hello, December. Yep, still here, just really horrible at blogging, [a goal I continue to tell myself I’ll get better at]. I’ve felt this pull towards my computer multiple times, but usually, something always catches my immediate attention & writing gets put to the way side. Since September, we’ve been keepin’ on, keepin’ on around…

beautiful words

cancer

“I’m so glad I live in a world where there are Octobers.” ― L.M. Montgomery, Anne of Green Gables. October is my second favorite month, [it follows closely behind September… because you know, birthday month is always first]. I love the rhythm I’m feeling in the classroom. I love falling asleep, listening to the cool,…

summer favorites

the in-between

I’m coming to you live from my patio, Bon Iver pumping through our outdoor speakers, & a green drink in my hand. I’m made it a goal to write, and haven’t seen it through very well. [Turn off the Gossip Girl repeats, Kaylee, and step away from Netflix]. I would make another promise that you’ll…

GIST awareness

cancer

Today is National GIST Awareness Day. Last year, I was a featured blogger on ihadcancer.com and wrote this piece describing my journey. I wrote a blog post about life with GIST last year, as well, [you can find that post here]. This day floods my mind with memories. It forces me to reflect on the…

summer livin’

the in-between

Every year, I forget how much I love summer break. No, seriously. I ALWAYS forget how amazing it is & how great I have it. I love my slow mornings of drinking green drinks on the patio steps, in the warm sunlight. I love my daily, mid-morning walks or visits to the dog park with…

national cancer survivor day 

cancer

I’m currently sitting on the patio, my toes dipped in Ace’s pool, listening to Dead Man Winter. I can feel the sun’s heat on my face. The cool whisper from the breeze has tried to lull me to sleep all afternoon. The smell of fresh cut grass, sprinkled with my blooming peonies is a heavenly…

4 years: what i’ve learned

cancer

Last Monday marked four years. Four years of midnight foot cramps. Four years of tummy troubles. Four years of digging in my purse after dinners, & discreetly chasing my little orange pill with water. Four years of a low immune system. Four years. In a way, the past four years have moved at the speed…

a slice of sunshine

cancer

First things first: my 4 year scans were ALL CLEAR. I had visited the Mayo Clinic last week, & heard no evidence of disease from my doctor. Each and every time it soothes my soul to hear those words. I was over the moon that I got to see my doctor as well, because we…

real talk

cancer

Hey there. Disclaimer: this post is will discuss the reasons chemotherapy & cancer sucks.  It’s over a month since I’ve switch from the name brand chemo to the generic chemo. It’s been over a month of muscle cramps at night, preventing sleep. It’s been over a month of running to the bathroom multiple times –…

a sweet treat

the in-between

Today was a first for me and Tony. Today, we tried a macaroon for the first time 🙂 They really do live up to the hype, especially when it’s flavored salted caramel – a key to my heart. March 6th has always been a date that is special to me. March 6th is the date…

i’m still here!

the in-between

Good evening 🙂 As I always say, time has escaped me. It’s kind of crazy. My intentions are always to sit down and write more often, but then I get stuck. I get stuck in this in between stage of anxiousness & perfectionist. Everywhere I turn, there seems to be a new blog, behind the…

generic vs brand name

cancer

Happy Superbowl Sunday! Currently, I’m sitting on my couch, the fireplace is on, football game is almost approaching halftime, [can’t wait for you, Lady Gaga!], and Ace is curled up at my side. No Superbowl party for this one, just a nice, quiet little evening at home. Tony and friends went to Vegas, again, [insert…