Gratitude X 10

As you can imagine I am and have so many things I can be thankful for this holiday season. As of today, as I write this entry, not one person has known about the fact that I started a nightly ritual when I cannot sleep as a result of the side effects from chemo treatment.

What do I do?

I close my eyes and think of absolutely ALL of the things that I am grateful for - from A to Z. Many times it is difficult for me to even get started before I fall asleep. But mostly I begin with A and fall fast asleep long before Z filled with positive thoughts rolling around in my head. A serene ritual to complete the day, and an amazing way to remind myself, no matter how I feel or look or question & doubt, that there are SO many things to be thankful for:

1. My son (Daniel). He is a gift to me in many, many ways
2. Perseverance
3. Knowing I have options for breast reconstruction
4. Support I continue to receive from all over the world as I go through this DAUNTING (?) process
5. Snowflakes (The snow is falling as I write this and how beautiful it is! Imagine... each of those snowflakes unique from the other)
6. Laughter
7. Feeling great when i get up in the morning
8. My sisters and brothers and all their love and support
9. My great friends
10. Another day I get to thrive and make wonderful

Hope For The New Year And The New Me!

Hope is a priceless treasure that we all need.

For those who are filled with hope can remain cheerful even in the most desperate of circumstances. When we offer hope to others we empower them. Lastly, Hope is a power we all have to influence things for the better, whether for ourselves or for others!!!

Five Things I Am Most grateful For This Year !!!

As you can imagine I am and have so many things I can be thankful for this holiday season.
A little secret I have, often times at night I can not sleep, due to chemo treatments. I close my eyes and think of things I am grateful for starting with the alphabet, beginning with A. Many times it is difficult for me to even get started before I fall asleep. But mostly I begin with A and end up falling fast asleep with so many positive thoughts rolling around in my head. A wonderful way to end the night.

So here are the five things I am most grateful for this day I can share with you.
1. My Son, He is a gift from God, in so many ways.
2. My ability to have the options for reconstruction for new beautiful breasts.
3. All the support I receive from all over the world as I go thru this scarey and somewhat unpredictable process.
4. My Son again
5. For the snow falling right now as I write this blog , how beautiful it is !!!!

My Self Together Again !!!!!

"First of all I would just like to thank you all for the work you are doing and the awareness you are bringing to the subject of mastectomy and reconstruction. I am a 51 year old woman, I will be having a double prophylactic mastectomy and immediate reconstruction with tissue expanders. I am scared to death, but also know that this is the best decision for myself and my family to reduce my risks. Watching the slide show was extremely emotional but also comforting. Thank you. I am more than willing to help spread this message in ANY way that I can. I would use any materials to help Chicago and its surrounding areas to be more aware and accepting of this subject. Thank you for this Blog to prepare me and give me information much needed for such a serious and complicated process. Makes it much less frightening !!!!

Gratitude, Happy for this holiday and a new me in the new Year !

I am so excited for the upcoming new year, as I have been researching reconstruction, and look forward to finally after all these years, completing my plan for my new breasts which will make me feel like a new woman again.

I was unable to go straight to reconstruction after my diagnosis, due to various reasons, but now I am able. Whole and feminine, and I know it will do wonders for my attitude and outlook for my future. It can be daunting at times, due to all the decisions that have to be made, and trusting in someone whom will do the job correctly and perfectly. That in it self is a great feat I am sure, especially if you're a perfectionist like me.

I know I will be successful in the end and all will be well again with me, as I go on in a new chapter in my life.