Negative Nodes and Good Margins! I call it a success!

Monday I had the little shithead of an M&M (aka TicTac) removed via lumpectomy and two nearby lymph nodes went along with it. I found out last night that it was, in fact, (see The journey of me and my little M&M) a Stage 1, Grade 1, 9 mm IDC and that the surgeon got good…

One week until my little M&M coming out party!

It’s been a whirlwind of a week with all my pre-op appointments falling on one day. I’ve read so much information I think my head is going to explode. I’m exactly one week and -56 minutes from my lumpectomy, sentinel node biopsy, and intraoperative radiation therapy — AKA My Little M&M Coming Out Party. I’m…

The journey of me and my little M&M

Last Monday (of course it was a Monday, right?) at 11:11 a.m. my life changed when I answered my doctor’s phone call. I heard “I have some bad news.” and things went a little blurry. Luckily, I snapped back into the call to also hear, “we caught it very early. Very early. It’s very small.”…

An Internal Struggle

I’m at the precipice of what I’m going to do next for my career. I’m struggling with what I want to do versus what I need to do. I want to choose a job that I love doing, that gives me back as much as I give it without losing myself to the job itself….

Spring. Newness of beginnings

I’m quietly enjoying a fresh, new day and find myself full of optimism and positive thoughts. Maybe it’s the newly green grass or the emerging buds on the trees, but Spring always brings me a sense of energy that none of the other seasons do. Everywhere I look there is beauty emerging. Whether it’s the…

Dear Me – A Letter to My 16-Year-Old Self

Dear Me, I wanted to give you some advice – sage perhaps. This is some pretty serious stuff — and it’s exposing some of your deepest, darkest secrets. No worries — your true self will know that you’re strong enough to be this transparent. These are just the big ones… there are plenty of other…

A Wake Up Call

Ambition. It’s a strong word that I don’t hear often, anymore. Yet, it woke me out of a restful sleep this morning – ringing in my ears like an alarm clock. Rolling it around in my thoughts – saying it softly to myself – pondering the presence of it in an early morning. Why, I…

Live the Questions

A good friend sent me a treasure he found in his late grandfather’s belongings that struck me right to the core when I read it. As I absorbed its meaning, I realized how grateful I am to have the opportunity to live my questions. So many days before I lived my expectations – trudging to…

Finding My Way

I need to let go of the preconceived ideals that I have to be “something” to be successful. I’m holding on to the fear that not having a corporate job will leave me insecure – financially, professionally, realistically. What a bunch of hooey! I’ve spent the last year of my time off of corporate life…

Life’s Little Surprises

Today I opened my company email and saw a familiar email address from someone in my past. It made me smile. Time and distance doesn’t really come into play when someone touches your heart and keeps you sane during… life’s unexpected moments. I’m glad I saw the email. I’m happy for the reach out. I’m…