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The Gist of Life

The Gist of Life

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cancer

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 –…

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…

giving thanks

cancer

Today is my favorite day. Thanksgiving brings my favorite food & favorite pastime – relaxing and spending time with family. It is a holiday that celebrates togetherness & gratefulness. It always humbles me; it helps me realize how truly lucky I am. I am lucky to have a roof over my head, I am lucky…

3.5 down, 1.5 to go

cancer

This week is flying. I can’t believe it’s already Thursday night and I’m almost heading into another weekend. I guess when you have a day at the Mayo clinic Tuesday, followed by a great field trip with my 5th graders on Wednesday, a week can move pretty fast. So, as the title sings – 3.5…

GIST awareness day: july 13th

cancer

July 13th was National GIST Awareness Day. Let me rewind a bit and tell you about my whirlwind of a week… Tony and I got home from a fabulous Duluth weekend on Sunday night. We hung out with best friends by doing yoga at Bent Paddle Brewery, soaked in the Duluth sunshine, and danced at…

summer happy thoughts

cancer

Happy hump day all! As I write today, I’m currently doing one of my favorite summer activities: sitting on the patio, listening to music, watching Ace hunt birds. The current temperature is a hot 79 degrees, with a nice breeze, the song currently humming through the speakers is ‘Lost in the Light’ by Bahamas [new…

hey, i’m still here!

cancer

Hello there, it’s been a while. I promise I am not going to make a point of these long absences in between blog posts. I could babble on about how time gets away from me & I have so much going on, but it would be a lie. I have been avoiding you guys. April…

it’s march 28th again

cancer

Happy Monday! It’s been a while since my last post – I apologize. Like I’ve said from the beginning, I never want to force posts or feel like I have to write when I’m not feeling it. I want topics, thoughts, and inspirations to come naturally; which they have this afternoon. Today, I’m enjoying my…

another clear scan, another clear mind

cancer

My three year scan = clear. As I wrote on Sunday, my need to get into Mayo early this time around was weighing heavy on my mind, my emotions, my night’s sleep… everything. I had endured some unknown aches and major discomfort last weekend that lead me to heavy pain medicine & a racing mind….

there’s always that thought…

cancer

Happy Sunday. I come to you live from my office: Bon Iver’s music filling the air, a diet coke close enough to feel the bubbling fizz, and a flickering Anthro candle to fill the cold, winter air with a sweet, calming Aloha Orchid scent. Today is one of those days I need to write. I’ve…

hello, february

cancer

Happy Groundhog’s day! Rumor has it there will be an early spring, which is amazing news. It is humorous, though, because today of all days, we’ve gotten a huge snowstorm. I am currently listening to the wind rattle our screens, [yes, they’re still on, :/ probably should take those off one of these winters], and…

let’s see who i really am…

cancer

Happy Bachelor Monday 🙂 Yes, I watch the bachelor, it’s cheap entertainment & I’m not afraid to say I look forward to Monday night for this reason alone. Anyway… I’m back after a pretty refreshing weekend, [yet it disappointing  – the Vikings lost in a heart breaker].  Tony and I enjoyed a night in and…

keeping busy

cancer

I’ve been trying to make myself so busy I can’t think straight. Why? Because the busier I am, the easier it is not to think about my next scan, which is Wednesday. The worst part about this time around is the fact that my appointment with my oncologist isn’t until Thursday. When making this appointment,…

hey you, I get it. 

cancer

I want you know to know, I get it.  I get it when a cold is not just a cold.  I get it when you order a water instead of a cocktail.  I get the need extra naps on the weekends, [who doesn’t?!].  I get the hard conversations and the uneasy tensions from those who…

another life list

cancer

Well, it took me a while, but I finally created my to-do list before I’m 30. I wanted my list to be well thought out, realistic, measurable, & achievable. I’m not sure if it’s any of those things, but for some reason this list felt different and I felt different when I was creating it….

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