Making Peace With My New Normal

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My heart is fluttering. My heart is aching.

I am sitting on the Amtrak train heading to NY… Heading towards my next surgery (hubby and I check in at 8:30am tomorrow morning)… And heading away from my family, friends, and my darling Miss M. Sigh… I miss her already.

Miss M and I had a fabulous weekend in Massachusetts. Spending time with those we love… Playdates, sleepovers, nature walks, chit chat, lots of hugs & laughter, and some much needed time by the ocean…

Yesterday, she and I spent 2 hours at the beach just playing, running around, collecting sea glass & shells, and meditating on the ocean waves. I shed a few tears thinking about my mom. Feeling her presence around me. And I also felt a profound intuitive knowing that everything was going to be ok. The surgery. The recovery. The aftermath. The years ahead. It was the same knowing I felt on the beaches of Long Island in the weeks after my initial diagnosis back in 2011. Feeling the Universe’s support. A profound sense of peace and reassurance. An understanding and acceptance of the fight ahead and the ongoing struggle… But at the same time, a level of trust that the path will bring more good than bad. More beauty than pain.

I am learning to live with this disease. Learning to accept my new normal. Getting better at navigating the ups & downs. Better at finding the balance between the two worlds I live in – The “normal” world & the metastatic cancer world.

When people ask if I plan on maintaining my new complicated way of living (the diet, exercise regime, supplements, alternative therapies) for the rest of my life, the answer is always YES. It is my new normal. My medicine. And I’d much rather live this new complicated life than be forever popping pills and IV’ing pharmaceuticals with nasty side effects.

And it’s usually only when I travel, that I realize how complicated or different my new normal is compared to how everyone else lives. Especially when it comes to my diet. As my cousin puts it, “Your bad days are my good days.” This coming after I lamented the bloat & sluggishness i felt from indulging in multigrain tortilla chips and a glass of red wine.

This is the balancing act I face for the rest of my life. One foot in the normal world and one foot out. Going through my days like anyone else, yet forever hearing the reminder, deep inside me that I have a terminal illness lurking, stalking, ready to pounce, ready to take over at a moment’s notice. Forever carrying containers of supplements everywhere I go. Forever struggling to find restaurants where I can eat. Forever wondering if each ache & pain is something more serious. Forever anticipating the results of scans and blood work. Forever knowing that I must remain vigilant in my fight.

Yet, all that being said, i truly feel that cancer has brought me to a better place. I like the new person I am becoming. I feel more at peace, more grateful, more in love with life than I have in a long time. While I still would never call cancer a gift, I can see the gifts that cancer has brought me.

And it’s funny how when you’re able to see the gifts and lessons contained in life’s toughest moments, the world suddenly expands and your place in it becomes rich with possibility.

So here’s to life’s possibilities, uncovering gifts, and finding balance in an uncertain world.

I’ll try to write again as soon as I can after the surgery to let ya’ll know how it went.

Cheers. -T

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14 Comments

  1. carmela on April 9, 2013 at 4:26 pm

    terri …my dear friend. .
    wishing you lots of love and light…tomorrow will go by and all will be right.
    love and hugs



  2. Auntie Maria on April 9, 2013 at 4:46 pm

    Always such a pleasure spending time with you and Miss M. You are wise beyond you years, and I love how your positive attitude and energy effects me. Loving thoughts and prayers headed your way, love Auntie Maria



  3. John on April 9, 2013 at 5:03 pm

    I will be holding you in my prayers as you undergo your surgery — and as I do most every day. In the midst of doing my own re-imagining of what I eat — and already using some of your previous posts as inspiration — Much love, and to Marisa and Heron and all your loving family and friends — John



  4. Katie on April 9, 2013 at 6:51 pm

    Terri,
    It was great spending time with you guys this weekend. You truely are amazing and Marisa is such a cutie. Oh, once again I’m moved by your words, so when the time comes….let me know where to send a letter of recommendation for you. 🙂 You’ll do fine this week, just take it slow.
    Katie



  5. Sherry on April 9, 2013 at 7:04 pm

    The new normal is life.
    Blessings



  6. Mary W. on April 9, 2013 at 7:34 pm

    I see Marisa’s grandmother in the picture of her sitting on the beach, Terri. Sending warm thoughts from the gulf islands,
    Mary W.



  7. Laurie on April 9, 2013 at 8:40 pm

    Beautiful post… Beautiful visit… Beautiful day with your daughter…
    Just tucked her in after a fantastic visit to Peggy’s beach, cake baking and decorating for Uncle Markie’s birthday, present wrapping and hiding followed by exciting search and discovery, magical birthday dinner with Nana and Tia Mariion, playing outside with Lala, ending in oodles of hugs and kisses from Auntie Laurie and Uncle Markie!
    Sleep well my love as you ready to face tomorrow my amazing gracefulwomanwarrior…
    Love, Auntie Laurie



  8. Trisha Prenger on April 9, 2013 at 9:06 pm

    Be well my dear friend. Thinking of and praying for you always.



  9. Dori on April 9, 2013 at 9:26 pm

    Terri, the journey continues with you strong and steady at the helm.Love you dearly and see you soon… xoxo
    Dori



  10. Lisa Marie Bhattacharya on April 10, 2013 at 1:23 am

    Thinking of you dear Terri and knowing your words and their truth run deep. Looking forward to more words on healing very soon… Hugs!



  11. maureen on April 10, 2013 at 8:48 am

    Thanks for great quality time with the ladies and the kiddos! Will be thinking of you today. Luv you!



  12. Jennifer on April 10, 2013 at 9:29 am

    Thinking of you!! Sending you positive thoughts and good, healing energy 🙂 Can’t wait to see you upon your return!



  13. Ruby Corrigan Anastasio on April 10, 2013 at 2:21 pm

    Sending you love and light and holding you in my heart today. I miss and love you!
    Ruby



  14. LongHairedWeirdo on April 11, 2013 at 9:29 pm

    Sending good, healing vibes from afar.