My time, during these past 3 months was entirely monopolized by home-schooling/virtual learning. Day after day for 70+ days I sat next to my son guiding him through his assignments, helping him grasp new concepts, ideas, and subjects, as well as organizing and prepping his assignments for the following day. With me by his side, he progressed rapidly in reading,…
Self-Reflection
Contemplating and reflecting on present feelings, hopeful dreams, life ambitions, and new beginnings.
This month marks 5 years since my breast cancer diagnosis. June 02nd – mammogram, ultrasound, needle-aspiration biopsy, core biopsy; June 10th – MRI; June 16th – first visit with my Oncologist; June 17th – second needle-aspiration biopsy, second core biopsy; June 18th – Rapid Genetic Testing for BRCA-1 and BRCA-2; June 23rd – Pre-Op Clinic and follow-up appointment with my…
It’s that time of year again. The annual blood work and the mammogram. How am I coping? This year, I am not. I am drowning in the scanxiety. Over the years I have written a few blog posts outlining the realities of scanxiety and even offered tips on what to do to alleviate the symptoms. But, how does one cope…
We are in Day #30 of social distancing, isolated in our home, tucked away from the rest of the world – as are millions of people across the globe. The beginning days of the pandemic were unnerving. Events I never imagined happening in my lifetime were swiftly unfolding as the virus took hold of Canada. It created anxiety, fear, uncertainty,…
Four years and ten months ago my life did a 180° flip. I was diagnosed with breast cancer. In that moment, everything about my life changed. I suddenly realized how very precious life is; and I became acutely aware of my mortality. I was scared; and although I was surrounded by loved ones I felt completely isolated. I felt incredibly…
It is March. This month marks my 45th birthday, which means I am fast approaching my 5th Cancerversary. It is a little overwhelming. Five years. So much of this journey feels far, far away, but when I stand and assess where I was and where I currently am, I realize that I have so much journeying to do. I am…
My job can be demanding. Very demanding. It requires an incredible amount of patience, empathy, patience, firmness, patience, attentiveness, and oh – did I mention patience? It takes a lot out of me both mentally and emotionally. And then there is parenting. A 24/7 job that demands – really demands. Yes. My lifestyle is one where I am answering to…
In my previous post [from past New Year’s] 2019…A Year of Adventure I talked about a shift within me – a small but mighty shift. I mused over what the year had in store for me – adventure. However, as I reflect on 2019 I am acutely aware of the hardships, the losses, the good-byes, and the unexpected setbacks I…
I sit here, on this bleak and dismal December morning, with my head spinning – how is Christmas only 15 days away? I am not ready for this. I am not feeling that Christmas Spirit one expects to feel this time of year. What I have been feeling is anxious, stressed, and fatigued. And it is greatly affecting me –…
Living in a society that worships outward beauty and perceived perfection can be difficult for those of us who bear visible scars. We are not perfect. We are flawed – but – we are alive, we have survived, and we have a story to tell. Each scar tells a story. Within that story is often a lesson. Within that lesson…