I had a delightful afternoon with my childhood friend Beverly yesterday. We hadn’t seen each other face to face in many, many years. However, over the past few, we have bonded on Facebook through our shared Cancerland experiences. It was good to finally get to hug her neck long and hard, and to catch … Continue reading Me and My Friend Bev
Cancer
Work of Art
I plug in my wax. While I am waiting for it to warm, I open my windows wide to let in the light and out the fumes. I turn on my fans. They create a breeze. I choose my music and let it flow into my studio. I gather my brushes, my paper, and my … Continue reading Work of Art
Double Trouble
Ten years ago on this date, I heard some extremely scary words. “You have diabetes.” and then “You have Cancer.” The D word and the C word, said within one breath of each other. My world was turned upside down in that moment. Death came to taunt me and Fear took up residence in my … Continue reading Double Trouble
My Friend Marcia
I met my friend Marcia at a Relay for Life event at which I was the speaker. After the telling of my survival story she came to me and said, “You need to come to my support group. We need some young ones like you.” I was 43 at the time I was diagnosed with … Continue reading My Friend Marcia
Elephant on My Back
Nine years ago today I had an elephant on my back. Literally. Well, it was a stuffed elephant, and it was really more around my shoulders…but still. It felt like a real elephant. It was an orange fuzzy scarf with a smiling elephant face on one end, and though it was not heavy, the weight … Continue reading Elephant on My Back
Reminder
I love the beach. I love the Song of the Sea and I long to hear it. But sometimes there are voices in my head that drown it out. I think most women know these voices. They come from my own head as I put on my bathing suit and step outside. They are the … Continue reading Reminder
Nine Years Ago Today….
I have two dates I make note of each year. One is July 7th, the other is Jan.2nd. The first is the date I was diagnosed with ovarian and uterine cancer and it is a more solemn occasion, a day of reflection. The second is the day I became cancer free… a celebration. I am … Continue reading Nine Years Ago Today….
Bravery Rises
It never ceases to amaze me how much courage cancer brings out in people. It is a fearful thing to have those words spoken over you, and the treatment regimen alone would make the strongest of people tremble. Yet, we do it. We put one foot in front of the other and walk the path … Continue reading Bravery Rises
PSA
Ladies, this is my yearly public service announcement. Don’t forget your mammogram. My alarm went off at 4:45…IN THE MORNING! I must’ve been crazy to set an appointment in Atlanta for 7:00 a.m. It is summer after all, a teacher’s best sleep-in-late time. When I was talking to the appointment desk it seemed like such … Continue reading PSA
A Victory Lap
It’s that time again. Tomorrow I will don my purple shirt and take a victory lap. That is how I have come to view the survivor lap at Relay for Life. It is an acknowledgment of a hard-fought battle with a ruthless foe. I am amazed every year at the number of new faces that … Continue reading A Victory Lap
Michelle's Mosaic 