A Success Worth Celebrating

Hello my dear friends!!

I realize it has been a long while since my last update. Five weeks in fact!

Much has happened in that time...not the least of which was a very successful surgery in Boston, proving once and for all that miracles DO indeed happen (in case you've ever doubted that). Surgeons removed most of my sternum along with the cancerous mass that had grown into it. Then, they reconstructed my sternum out of Gortex (can you imagine that??!). They also removed two cancerous internal mammary lymph nodes from my chest. The plastic surgeon did his magic, pulling my pectoral muscles over the reconstructed sternum to protect it and to reshape the contours of my mid-chest. A new port-a-cath was also placed - to handle any chemo in my future - before they stitched and glued me back up.

The best news is this: There is no longer any evidence of disease (NED in clinical talk) in my body! Yayyyyy!!!!

My physical recovery is going very smoothly and according to plan. If anything, I am ahead of everyone's predictions. That said, my primary focus will continue to be on healing for the next 6-weeks or so, until I return to Boston for my next visit with the surgeon. Meanwhile, I am gradually regaining full range of motion and the day before yesterday I took my first short drive by myself! Whoo hoo!

I want you to know how very much I appreciate all the love, support, prayers, and positive energy that you have been sending me! If I could somehow write a personal thank you note to each and every one of you, I would. But instead, I'm going to give you all a great big THANK YOU here, together with lots of HUGS and LOVE and then I'm going to continue spending all my energy on healing. I know you'll understand.

And...while I've missed our interaction here (I thought surely I'd be writing long before now!)...I realized there was something more important I needed to do first. I needed to practice what I preach, walk my talk, be my own client. I needed to get back to the basics...Self Love 101.

So, for the past five weeks I have been indulging in all forms of self love...like listening to my body and giving it what it wants and needs; listening to my soul and nourishing my Inner Spirit; setting healthy boundaries; getting aligned with what feels good, and only doing the things I've felt inspired and excited to do. Quite often, that simply meant - a nap ;).

I'm proud of myself for doing it right this time. I'm not rushing the process and I'm doing my very best not to over-think the future. I'm just basking in the now...feeling my body heal (isn't it amazing what our bodies can do?!), appreciating the love that surrounds me, grateful for the opportunity of waking up to a new day. A day I wasn't so sure I'd get just a few months ago.

Which leads me to something else I can't end this blog post without acknowledging. There's no lens more profound or clear, I think, than the eyes of a person facing an earlier goodbye than expected to this physical life and those they love. My first journey through cancer provided a subtle glimpse. This time I had to look long and hard through that lens. I had to find acceptance and peace in the possibilities - all of them. The gift in that? A deep-down, crystal clear knowing of what's most important to me and a new found ease in letting go of all the rest. It's something that immediately became the guiding force in my life - and it will continue to be - whether I am blessed with weeks, months, or years.

I'll write more on that soon, but for now, know this...

Miracles DO happen - and I'm convinced that there are plenty more headed my way. I'm also convinced that there are miracles happening every day, to each of us, that we might just overlook if we're not present enough to notice. Ask. Expect them. Trust. Let go. Quiet yourself. Revel in the beauty that surrounds you - the miracle of nature and that of a new day - full of possibilities and blessings! And know that all is well, no matter what! You are loved, guided and protected and everything is always working out for your best and highest good.

Bliss & Blessings,
Lisa