I just wanted to shout out to everyone as we are all at different stages in this journey and I guess as Im recovering from surgery I'm thinking of all of you. Thought it would be great for us all..to share something good that we're grateful for in this moment...it's hard!!! Cant be positive all the time and the journey can be unrelenting and we feel badgered to the point of breaking and no return. But as I sit here, and I look back at my journey the past 6 years, I have tears rolling down my cheeks thinking WOW I went through all that, and sometimes you can't breathe when you remember. It is hard to look forward with any certainty or peace. We feel every emotion possible and sometimes feel we're not entitled to. One word that comes to mind thinking of everyone is "COURAGE" for all of you at the beginning, doubting there is anyway you can rise to the challenge. Take one hell of a deep breath..and I promise you, you absolutely will and even in times where you felt you couldnt and I had plenty...but you will RISE every single time. So what is the smallest thing that brightens or lifts your day? Mine is...Im sitting overlooking my garden, sipping Green Tea and the sun is shining, soft music playing and Im just peaceful in this moment. I'm grateful to just sit here, complete simplicity. Hugs Everyone Melinda xoxo

My peaceful and relaxing parts of my days (and nights with dreadful insomnia), is my knitting. Even with my rotten hands, which now have peripheral neuropathy from the Paclitaxel, as well, I can still hold my needles and knit. Slower, for sure, but no matter, it's not a race. The act of taking two points sticks and a ball of yarn and transforming it into something lovely and squishy, is calmness to my soul.

Hi there Melclarity, these are some little baby rompers I've been busy with. Found this lovely plain, yet classic pattern and simply couldn't stop at one.

My husband always gets me through each chemo session . He is my rock. He took me out to have coffee the other day when I was feeling a bit down and not feeling like being there. As I was sitting in the coffee shop I noticed a small child sitting near us who just kept smiling at me .she had such a lovely smile, I soon snaped out of the gloom I was feeling and had to smile too. It is definitely the little thing that get us through. I enjoyed lunch with friends last week and when my daughter in law asked if I liked to come for baked dinner on Sunday night, I think life is pretty good.

Just stumbled upon this post.What makes me happy each day are my fur babies, (Callie the cat, Lily & Zeus my two rascal Amstaff's) they're so excited to see me when I get home each day, and love to snuggle with me on the couch each night. My cat, Callie comes upstairs for snuggles once the dogs are in bed as they think she's a toy to play with... but she get's her times to smooch too.My kids always make me smile, even though I don't see them often. Talking to my parents - i'm looking forward to a lovely family xmas this year, as my folks are flying up from Melbourne, and my daughter is coming to stay for a couple weeks from Toowoomba - my son only lives 10-15 mins away.

Attending the Look Good Feel Better morning yesterday, brighten my day. Having someone pamper you and help you put on some make up . Then when I came home,I got the nod of approval from my husband and was taken out for lunch.

In an Unrelenting Journey....lets see whats the smallest thing that brightens your day?

Glemmis
Member
9 years ago
Hi Melinda, I am sitting on a bus going to the city to meet a friend for lunch & shopping, something I have not done since being diagnosed last July. I was walking to the bus stop in the rain & felt normal for the first time in a very long time. Taking the opportunity between chemo & radiotherapy to enjoy the things I used to take for granted. Someone said to me today, are you sure you can work during radiotherapy & I said I worked through 6 months of chemo so I am sure I can. There is always a little bit of negativity around but you just have to put it out of your mind xx
iserbrown
Member
9 years ago
@melclarity nice to read your post just now and see that you are at peace and looking mainly forward after such a journey with all it's twists and turns. Today is a breezy day here at home and at least the sting has gone out of the sun somewhat, domestic bliss, the washing will dry without the harshness of the sun.

My at peace time is just being with my hubby, I know that will sound corny to some but we've been together for 42 years and we still enjoy each others company along with the cat and the magpie and whoever else is about at the time.
Take care and good healing, sending you a virtual hug xx
melclarity
Member
9 years ago
Hey! @Glemmis Ohhh sounds wonderful! Its so true isn't it? Seems a long time in between feeling the slightest bit normal in anything!! especially the simplest things that we may take for granted. Have an amazing day! I'm sure you will! Love it!!! Big Hugs xoxo
melclarity
Member
9 years ago
@iserbrown Thank you! Yes definitely looking fully forward now, no turning back,no regrets, just peace. Whoa! says me as I tear up!!! such a reflective journey isn't it...Sounds lovely where you are, beautiful! And definitely not Corny!!! I can so appreciate your relationship and the peace, I think its gorgeous! Hugs xoxo
Zoffiel
Member
9 years ago
I'm packing the car so I'll be ready to head off for a weeks holiday which includes a four night stay on the coast thanks to the good souls who contribute to the Otis Foundation.

I went shopping this morning as I'll be self catering for most of the time and had a complete brain fade when it came to what I'd need. When in doubt buy cheese. Which I did. In three different shops. Looks like about $80 worth, but what the hell. I also bought wine which I sat on the front seat so I could stroke it all the way home.
melclarity
Member
9 years ago
@Zoffiel OMG I cannot stop laughing!!! Please let us know how your stay goes! Ive read alot about the Otis Foundation but its just too hard for me to organise. Cheese and wine...sounds divine!!! now thats living!!! Hugs xoxo
Zoffiel
Member
9 years ago
I also bought a pumpkin, bacon and a jar of bread and butter cucumbers. For some reason I'm absurdly pleased with this little selection even though it makes very little nutritional sense. I just figure that by next week I'll be far enough away from chemo that I can enjoy some food. Bacon and roast pumpkin. Mmmm. Yeah, I know. Odd.
iserbrown
Member
9 years ago
Mel - it is not too hard - you can make it happen and you will love the chance to have some rest and relaxation without the routine of work and home. I work from home. The Otis Foundation is wonderful! No excuses, you found time to go to hospital because you had to! Treat this the same find time to have some rest and relaxation at an Otis retreat!!

https://www.bcna.org.au/services/the-otis-foundation
iserbrown
Member
9 years ago
@Zoffiel what a hoot! You sound like a kid that has been let loose in a lolly shop! Cheese, pumpkin, bacon, pickled cucumber, wine, what more could a girl need for a week away from the routine of home, chemo and all it's oddities!
We had great time at an Otis retreat last year and just loved every minute of it! It is a wonderful thing that they do for us! Enjoy the peace and tranquility............the emotional side will be very happy with you and your food choices!
Take care and enjoy xx
Zoffiel
Member
9 years ago
What @iserbrown said. It's treatment, make it happen. Even if you dont take a pumpkin....