The Truth Is...

There are many things I have learned since being diagnosed with breast cancer, the first being BREAST CANCER IS NOT ONE SIZE FITS ALL! The truth is it is not PINK and fluffy. The truth is each stage of breast cancer has a certain "protocol" of treatment. The truth is it is unpredictable. The truth is everyone handles it differently. The truth is you will experience 6 million emotions. The truth is support groups are not for everyone. The truth is every persons journey is different. The truth is the "bed side manner" of any doctor, nurse, tech...will really make a difference in how you handle each and every procedure or treatment. The truth is breast cancer does not only effect the person who has it but family, friends and everyone around them. The truth is some people will disappoint you. The truth is some people will surprise you. The truth is your FAITH will be tested. The truth is you will hear more times then you can count "You're so strong. I would not be able to do it." The truth is YES YOU WOULD because you have two choices... fight to live or give up. The truth is you WILL find the strength when you need it most. The truth is I am fighting with all I got because winning is the ONLY option!

The truth is BREAST CANCER SUCKS!!  

THE TRUTH IS   

I saw a meme the other day that said "Have you ever just sat back and thought... Damn I've been through a lot of shit." Let me tell you my family has had our fair share of challenges but every challenge has made us stronger as a family. As many know dealing with family health issues is not new to us. I have always tried to be positive but after dealing with Ava's hip dysplasia I began to appreciate the little things more. After we got to the other side I thought it would be the hardest thing we would face. Boy was I wrong!! When dealing with any health issue attitude is half the battle and staying positive even on the roughest days can make the world of difference. The truth is I don't think what I am doing is anything special or amazing. I am just a Mom doing what I have to do to be here to watch my kids grow up. I am very fortunate that my body has handled every treatment well and I am lucky that I never looked "sick" even on my worst days.  I am thankful I have husband that loves me, an INCREDIBLE support system and fortunate that David and I could be completely honest with Jack and Ava and they have handled these last 8 months like champs.

I have awesome doctors that have explained everythings well and tell me the best to their knowledge of what to expect but the one thing they can't tell me is how to get through it. When you get a cancer diagnosis you have no idea what the outcome will be. It's scary and so many decisions have to be made quickly. Here's the side people don't see. I suffer from depression and was diagnosed almost 5 years after Ava's ordeal. I am not ashamed or scared to admit it, in fact I had to double my medication to get through this. After my first chemo and I was so sick I wanted to give up more then anything and even said to David "I can't do this!" He laughed at me and reminded me how strong and determined I can be. There were days it took everything I had to get out of bed and get my kids off to school. There were days after I got the kids out the door that I did not leave the couch until they got home. There were days I cried none stop. There were days that I sat at a soccer game or took Ava to a feis and I felt like I was run over by a truck, yet when people asked how I was doing I smiled and said "Great!" I never want pity or people to feel sorry for me. Through out treatment I continued to make lunches every day, clean my house and do the laundry not because I had to (and lord knows enough people offered) but because I needed something normal in my life. 

The truth is cancer changes you and puts everything in perspective. I chose to be positive and from the day I was diagnosed I said I would win and now I am beating this awful disease. The truth is I hope by sharing my story I make a difference in at least one persons life. The truth is there will always be someone that has it better then you and always someone that has it worse then you. You are your own destiny and it is your choice how you face life's challenges. It's all in perspective... Chose wisely because life is to short to not walk in the sunshine. XO