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

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 !!!!

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.

A TRIP OF A LIFETIME WITH SO MUCH HOPE !!

I WOULD LIKE TO COMMENT ON MY TRIP TO LOURDES FRANCE. I JUST GOT BACK FROM THIS MOST UNFORGETTABLE TRIP OFFERED BY MY SISTER PEGGY. HER FRIEND JANETT AND HER FAMILY ALSO HELPED BY WAY OF HOSTING US IN PARIS INBETWEEN OUR TRIP TO LOURDES.

I CAN ONLY SAY I WILL NEVER EVER FORGET THIS WONDERFUL JOURNEY PEGGY AND I TOOK, AT MY REQUEST. I WAS FEELING LIKE I NEEDED SOMETHING MORE, I DON'T KNOW REALLY JUST A URGING TO GO TO LOURDES. I BROUGHT IT UP AND IT HAPPENDED. I AM THE LUCKIEST GIRL IN THE WORLD TO HAVE HAD THIS OPPORTUNITY HAPPEN.

LOURDES AND ALL ITS BEAUTY IS AND WAS A SPIRITUAL HAVEN FOR ALL THOSE NEEDING SOMETHING MORE. YOU WOULD NOT BELIEVE ALL THE PEOPLE, THOUSANDS AND MORE LOOKING FOR SOMETHING TO HANG ON TO FOR WHAT EVER THEY WERE THERE FOR. IT MADE ME FEEL REALLY A PART OF SOME KIND OF MIRACLE HAPPENING THERE.

IF WHAT I WANTED DOES NOT COME TRUE , I CAN ONLY SAY IT IS ALRIGHT BECAUSE I GOT TO BE A PART SOMETHING HUGE, WITH MY SISTER AND HER FRIEND. THAT WAS SO IMPORTANT TO ME TO BE WITH PEGGY AT THE TIME. I FEEL MORE BLESSED THEN YOU CAN IMAGINE TO HAVE THE FAMILY I HAVE FOR LOVE AND SUPPORT. THAT IS WHAT IS MOST IMPORTANT TO ME.

THAT IS WHAT I GOT MOSTLY FROM MY TRIP TO LOURDES, I AM TRUELY BLESSED.

GILDA'S CLUB ON WELLS STREET IN CHICAGO

Gilda's Club Chicago is a support community for men, women and children living with cancer, and families and friends. We offer a place where members join together to give and receive support. At Gilda's Club we believe:

• Our members living with cancer are the experts - and we listen and learn from them
• As experts, our members offer each other support while learning how best to live with cancer
• Cancer happens to the entire family and its social network, so club membership is extended to include all who are impacted by cancer. Each member develops a Customized Membership Plan to meet their needs. All are welcome.

My Sweet little Devil, little did I know !!!!

Here is a picture of my beautiful son , age 4, a Halloween treat, a sweet little devil. He has been the motivation since day 1 of my cancer diagnosis to keep moving on, keep being strong no matter what life throws me. I thank God every day for Danny in my life, this picture is so reminiscent of that time for me, way before Cancer came into our lives and changed it forever. This picture will never be touched by anything ever, always a most memorable moment. I love you Danny !!!!!!