Today I worked from home. I am so grateful for the support, but it was making it hard to get anything done with all of those sweet kind well wishers coming over to my desk. I am NOT complaining, I appreciate each one of them. But I wasn’t getting a thing done!

Today a little of the fear crept back in. I am sure it’s normal. What is crazy is that I feel physically better than I have in months and months. I sleep a bit better, the night sweats have subsided some, I am hungry (but still losing weight…….? Silver lining?) I am sure much of the feeling better is a direct result of the fact that the day after the diagnosis, my daughter Courtney went on a serious mission to research what I should and should not eat and drink. I am consuming more water, fruits, vegetables and lean protein than I think I EVER have. Sugar is gone from my diet. Funny, I don’t miss it a bit. The goal is to get me to surgery next week as healthy as possible!

Word has definitely gotten out and I receive messages, texts and emails filled with positive thoughts and support. And yes, even a few more offers of kidneys. I think I am up to 7 kidney offers waiting in the wings.

I hear mostly positive stories. REALLY scary cancers, (they are all scary right?) where the outcome has been excellent. But occasionally I hear about the not so great outcomes. Those are the ones that scare me, but I am going to do everything in my power to ensure that I will be out there 6 months or a year from now sharing my story with others, bringing them peace, comfort, support and just being someone to listen.

It’s been 1 week today since my diagnosis and I can honestly say my life has forever been changed, mostly for the better without a doubt.

Cancer is no longer the first thing I think of when I wake or the last thing I think of when I head to bed. That is something! It is just a part of my life, it doesn’t define it. “A bump on my journey” is what my daughter calls it. I can certainly handle a bump. I’ve always been strong and this will only make me stronger.