Last week I had my first true hair cut, including: highlights, texturizing and style - it was truly amazing to see my ever expanding “fro” transformed into something more manageable and people have been commenting on how “long” it looks since the cut (lol). This, along with reaching my halfway mark in losing the chemo weight, seeing a decrease in hot flashes and fitting into underclothing naturally and pain free, have all made me a very happy girl :). Yes, I do feel like a real girl again - yea!!!
I am enjoying a few days in San Antonio (far enough away from the tornadoes to be safe) and what a beautiful place it is! This is a much needed vacation - time to really relax and spend time with loved ones without being in recovery mode from a surgery or procedure.
The chemo brain and subsequent driving issues that have been lingering are decreasing but still show up randomly. Overall I am feeling very good and very blessed! I am grateful to my boss for allowing me to work a few less hours and to my chiropractor for patiently assessing each issue I am having in a holistic manner to address my challenges through supplements, acupuncture and adjustments. I’m all for modern medicine but love the option to integrate alternative treatments into my regimen as much as possible, since my body really doesn’t need anymore toxins from medicine right now.
While my various medical appointment take up plenty of time, I have been given ongoing validation that I continue to be cancer free - so thankful for this! My one year anniversary of being diagnosed is coming up on May 6th, and I’m excited to be a part of Race for the Cure as a survivor! So many wonderful things are on the horizon and I continue to be amazed at the way friends and family bless my life daily.
As I reflect on this Easter Weekend that is upon us, the words of a recent message come to mind:
“some people I know who are just as oblivious to their Creator and their true ‘bread of life’ [as the fish are unaware of where their food comes from]. They live from day to day without an awareness of God and His goodness unto them.”
“A perfect body is not required to achieve one’s divine destiny. In fact, some of the sweetest spirits are housed in frail or imperfect bodies.”
“Important as is the body, it serves as a tabernacle for one’s eternal spirit. Our spirit’s existed in the premortal realm and will continue to live after the body dies. Spirit and body, when joined together, become a living soul of supernal worth.”
“God is the same yesterday, today, and forever, but we are not. Each day, ours is the challenge to access the power of the Atonement, so that we can truly change, become more Christlike, and qualify for the gift of exaltation and live eternally with God, Jesus Christ, and our families.
“For these powers, privileges, and gospel gifts, thanks be to God!”
-Russel M. Nelson