Several Posts In One ;)

3/30/2009 ~ 9:01a.m.
There is a test (C125 tumor marker test) used to detect breast/ovarian cancer (and others). Yesterday I learned my original no. was 1,011 (a typical for advanced Stage III). In January it had dropped to 285. Not really meaningful because no one could be sure if it dropped due to surgery or agressive chemo. But then yesterday the number was 9 !!! ... and anything below 35 is considered a VERY good sign I'm kicking the cancer's butt. WooHoo!! THANK YOU FOR YOUR PRAYERS and SUPPORT !!!!!

3/31/2009 ~ 9:12a.m.
Your WooHoos (29 "likes" and 45 "comments" on FB) are overwhelming! I have happy tears galore :0) THANK YOU! Chemo today (Series 5 - Session 1 - 5.5 hrs). I already miss my brother, sis-in-law and nieces! What a break in my routine & a breath of fresh air they have been to me. Looking forward to being able to travel to Denver in June!! :)

3/31/2009 ~ 7:57p.m.
At chemo today I met a woman who has embraced a Stage 3 cancer journey for 9 yrs. Gloria has decided to enter hospice and return to the Universe. Her grace and peace was overwhelming. I will think of Gloria the rest of my life! I only hope to exhibit that level of grace on my journey to my human end ... we're all "terminal" some haven't gotten an end of life "diagnosis" ;O) ... Moral of the story - Live every day, Y'all ♥  ~~~ Don't get me wrong with this story... I'm here for a VERY long time ...I'm just realistic that each of us will ultimately have to face our transition to that which is next ... and I'm convinced that it's a beautiful journey.

Blessings to everyone !!!
Colista
x

Imagination ~ Haiku

Imagination
Embrace the power of fun
One smile at a time
    ~Colista

Thanks for the encouragement to illustrate a book of my haiku ... I'm embracing the adventure that there may be a group of silly words and drawings wishing to be in the world! Perhaps I'll just start with a 2011 Calendar? ... I can't thank you enough for your good wishes!! Back'atcha 100-fold!! 

Attention

I finally figured out, with the help of my brother, what's been keeping me from posting here for the past week or so. I'm so blessed to be receiving the abundance of support from so many amazingly generous people! And sometimes it's hard to process it all. It's an abundance of Spiritual riches that I'm usually giving to others ... not receiving in beautiful return!! Have you ever been the center of overwhelming attention? Weddings can cause that kind of stress. Being the focus of so many well wishes and responsible for keeping up that "duck-like" image of calm and cool above the water while kicking like crazy underneath?

I want to remain honest with everyone. I don't want to tell you things are great when they aren't or say things are tough just to get attention. I consider both of those things reprehensible (and my family would hand me my head a on a platter if they thought i were doing that). I cherish every prayer you send. I want the emails, posts and support. I am so grateful to be thought about for even 10 seconds in the midst of someone's busy day. It's a blessed abundance that I'm not used to. But then, that's obviously one of my my lesson in all of this ... learning how to receive with grace and thankfulness. I'm learning to process it ... and still growing ;)

So, please know that I'm just at the beginning of this medical journey. Even when they find out that I'm cancer free in May (after the CT scan) there are at least 12 to 13 more months of chemo infusions, testing and focusing on my health and wellness. I'll understand if the prayers wane or the good wishes ebb and flow ... not everyone can keep focusing on my mental and physical health like I have to. But when that happens ... I will cherish each and every interaction with you all!!

I never forget something my Mom once told me, "No one has to do ANYTHING in this world. They do it because the want to ... not because they have to." So, I remain grateful and thankful for each of you and wish you amazing happiness, health and wealth in return!!

Multi Blessings, my friends!!
Colista