Living Life

It’s kind of odd how life just continues to go on – even in the face of stage IV cancer.

These last few days I’ve been feeling almost “normal”.  Aside from the little twinges of pain here and there, I feel strong, healthy, and clearheaded.  I stopped taking my anti-nausea meds all together and feel perfectly fine.  No throwing up, no more dizzy spells, no weird side effects.  It’s almost like i’m my old self again.  Almost like I don’t have cancer.

And as such, I’ve been acting like my old self.  Taking Miss M out, hanging with hubby, having friends over for dinner, getting stuff done, and having fun.

While I realize every week is not guaranteed to be like this, I’m still hoping I’ll be one of those people who skates through chemo and just goes about living my life pretty much as I did before.  That was my plan from the get-go and I’m sticking with it.  I have heard from other people that chemo has a tendency to sneak up on you.  That 4 or 6 or 8 weeks in, your body gets weak and the chemo grabs a hold of you and clamps down.  So I’m trying to prepare myself for that scenario as well.

The key is to stay open.  It’s not what life throws at you that determines your happiness it’s your reaction to it.  Although it’s hard to resist getting caught up in the anger, sadness, and despair of my diagnosis – I know I can’t.  I can’t get stuck there.  The cancer feeds off stress and negative energy.  So instead, I must surround and fill myself with positivity and hope.

And we all must enjoy the good days when we have them.

Cheers.  – T

8 Comments

  1. Maureen on January 9, 2012 at 10:42 pm

    Cheers to that my warrior friend! Sending lots of positive energy, well wishes, hugs and more hugs your way. Xoxo



  2. kathy on January 9, 2012 at 11:16 pm

    “It’s not what life throws at you that determines your happiness it’s your reaction to it.” Terri you’re such a beautiful and articulate writer on top of being the strongest woman warrior I’ve ever met- I’m inspired everyday by you- please keep writing!

    sending you love and more love,
    kathy



  3. Charles Daniels on January 10, 2012 at 8:43 am

    Keep up the good work



  4. Debbie Emery on January 10, 2012 at 9:25 am

    Hang in there girl. It does get better. Today is my one year anniversary from diagnosis! Woohoo.

    http://debsbreastcancerjourney.blogspot.com/2012/01/1-year-and-many-more-to-go.html

    Debbie, a friend of Gale M. here in Sonoma, CA
    Debbie Dallara Emery on FB



  5. Dori on January 10, 2012 at 10:17 am

    Yes, Kathy – i agree! That statement is the truth, plain and simple, in every aspect of all of our lives.
    Keep keepin on, Terri!
    love u
    Dori



  6. Dorothy on January 10, 2012 at 6:59 pm

    Cheering you on Terri… Sending positive energy from your home town!!



  7. Nicole on January 11, 2012 at 2:27 pm

    Thinking of you and stand in amazment of your courage, strength and amazing ability to write so gracefully about such a savage disease. Sending you love and positive energy from me and my family of 8….from BC 🙂 xox



  8. kellen Silva on January 11, 2012 at 6:26 pm

    Hi Terry! It’s me kellen. I am Pierre’s wife!!! Pierre spoke to Heron today on the phone and i just wanna say that we are praying for you and wish you our best feelings! If you need anything please don’t hesitate to call us…we will be more than happy to help you!
    I just wanna say that you are very special, such a sweet heart and we know that God has the best for you…Take care…send a huge kiss to Marisa ….we are impressed with your courage to write about your disease! You are such a stronge person…our positive energy for you babe!!! God bless you ….Kellen/ Pierre