Tuesday, July 29, 2014

Milestones...

I think most of us are familiar with the word milestone, especially those of us with children.  As new parents we anxiously await for our children to conquer the next big thing.  Smiling, rolling over, eating solids, crawling, walking, and talking are all tasks we check off our mental list of our childrens' achievements.  Some of us panic if our child is at the latter end of development, others are perfectly content if their child is a late bloomer.  Regardless, I think it goes without saying that we all want our children to become the best versions of themselves.   

"Life isn't a matter of milestones, but of moments."


As a survivor of the Big C, I've noticed that there is a process in the healing after being diagnosed and treated for cancer. And, like children reaching their milestones, all of us survivors do not walk through this journey in the same manner. 

I often become frustrated with myself because it seems I should be reaching "milestones" sooner, that I should be able to bounce back to the same person I was B.C. (before cancer).  The truth is, I will never be the same and although I know this to be true, it's often hard to walk this unfamiliar path.  

Throughout my treatments, when I would visit any doctor's office, I would take someone with me.   I soon learned that the anxiety that would take over my body could be lessened just by having someone with me, even when that person did not say a word.  

It's been 2 1/2 years since the Big C invasion, and the doctor's visits are fewer.  There is more time in between and more time for me to feel like a "normal" person once again.  I'm slowly finding my new normal and doing my best to enjoy my life without the constant worry about what's to come.  

I reached a milestone the other day when I went for a follow up at my radiation oncologist's office by myself.  I anticipated that the visit would be quick and without any surprises, so I braved the task on my own.  Although the visit was routine and all was well, I did end up waiting for 45 minutes, 35 of those minutes was in a hospital gown in the office.  After 25 of those minutes, the lump in my throat got a little too big for my own handling...I texted my BFF while in the midst of taking deep cleansing breaths and telling myself that all was well.  Sending pictures of myself in the ugly johnny helped to calm my anxieties and within a few minutes, the doctor had come in.  She performed a thorough exam and said everything looked great, well "lovely" was actually the word she used.  

It's when ordinary people rise above the expectations and seize the opportunity that milestones truly are reached.


Admittedly, I was a bit disappointed with myself that I couldn't handle the visit completely on my own, but then I realized how blessed I am to have an enormous support system and they're (literally) available right at my fingertips.  

There are some things I know I am not ready to conquer on my own just yet.  So later today, when I head to my annual mammogram appointment, I'll take my mom with me.  Just knowing she is there will help me to get through it without increasing the anxiety level to a point where I can't handle it.  

One thing (among the many) the Big C has taught me is that it's ok to ask for help and to lean on others.  I prefer to be independent and do things on my own. But sometimes reaching those "milestones" is a heck of a lot easier when someone is right my side.

And another thing I've learned is that hospital gowns are drab and boring and really should be made in more cheerful, bright colors.

My path has not been determined. I shall have more experiences and pass many more milestones.

UPDATE:  My mammogram was normal...it was a good day!

Friday, July 25, 2014

Insta-Friday...


Newport via my iphone...












We go every year and it never gets old.

Build traditions of family vacations and trips and outings. These memories will never be forgotten by your children.
Ezra Taft Benson

If you are on Instagram, you can follow me at abetterdream

Wednesday, July 23, 2014

A day at the beach...

From last week.  Lots of pictures, few words...
































"Silence is better than unmeaning words."Pythagoras

Saturday, July 19, 2014

It's a beautiful thing...

Like many other things in life, the process of open adoption evolves.  It's impossible to predict its outcome, but, like everything else, it has its own stages of development.  Perhaps we can imagine the ideal situation and try to pave the path, but where it ends up is not solely left up to us.  

No two adoptions are the same because no two people are the same.  The experiences and feelings of those involved are unique. I've learned to embrace all of it and see how beautiful it can be.

I wasn't always in a place where I understood the beauty to be found in open adoption.  I couldn't imagine myself ever engaging in such a situation.  Thankfully, I listened to others' experiences, educated myself and put aside my "fears".  Where we come from is a gift.  All of us have a right to experience all parts of who we are, even if sometimes it's hard or messy or not what we're instinctively comfortable with.   

Little Miss and E are old enough now to express their own feelings and this past mother's day, our Little Miss did just that by initiating a visit with her birth mom.  And to her delight, her birth mom graciously accepted.  A couple of weeks ago, she came to visit Little Miss.  They spent time swinging on swings, making rings on the rainbow loom, reading books and chatting.   


It's hard to express through words what such a visit does to my heart, but I think these pictures tell the story beautifully.  
(I have permission to share.)
 
"Children thirst to hear where they came from...
they need to know that they were desired,
that their birth was a wonder, and that they were always
the object of love and care." -Marcelle Clements
"The greatest experience, the one which shakes a soul with hopes and fears, the results of which are never ending, and incidentally, the one which pays the biggest dividends, is to be found in the adoption of children."-Anonymous
"Being deeply loved by someone gives you strength;
loving someone deeply gives you courage."-Lao-Tzu
"An invisible red thread connects those who are destined to meet, regardless of time, place, or circumstance.  The thread may stretch or tangle, but will never break."-An Ancient Chinese Belief


"Adoption carries the added dimension of connection not only to your own tribe but beyond, widening the scope of what constitutes love, ties, and family.  It is a larger embrace." -Isabella Rossellini


We learned where Little Miss gets her love of sunbathing, pickles, pasta and cheese.  We know why she is so scared of fireworks and where she gets that space between her two front teeth.  

I'm so very grateful for this beautiful, priceless gift for our sweet little girl, a gift she could really only receive from the brave woman who chose us to be the parents to the daughter she gave birth to.  

"Accept the things to which fate binds you, and love the people with whom fate brings you together, but do so with all your heart."-Marcus Aurelius