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,…
Surviving Cancer
All the challenges, fears, anxieties, and struggles that come with surviving cancer; as well as insight, hopefulness, blessings, and useful advice.
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,…
This week has got me thinking about what it is like parenting through a pandemic. We are halfway into week #3 of self-isolating / social distancing, and the daily challenges can often feel overwhelming, especially when there is no clear end in sight. As most of my readers who follow my parenting posts know, I have one child. He is…
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…
Someone once said to me ‘I don’t know how you do it.’ I told them ‘I wasn’t given a choice.’ – author unknown I wasn’t given a choice. I am 4 months away from my 5-year cancerversary. It is an overwhelming milestone to be on the cusp of. When I think back on this journey I am surprised at the depths of…
It has been a difficult month of little-to-no sleep in our household. My son’s anxiety is peaked, which means his sleep is broken and disturbed, and that ultimately means mine is too. It is difficult to remain centred, grounded, and patient when exhausted and suffering from sleep deprivation. I honestly cannot remember the last time I had 4 hours of…
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…