L is for long time since last post

It has been over 10 years since I last posted a blog.  I was shocked to find my account today.  I am still cancer free.  My boys are now 21,19 and 16 years old.  We are surviving the global pandemic from Covid-19. Will and Luke are in college and Jake is in high school. I am so impressed with how they are all just dealing with restrictions, masks, social distancing and continuing to make their best lives.  I have been filled with anxiety over all of these things and they have just been my solid foundation.  I have been working from home for over a year.  Hoping we will all be vaccinated soon.  When I read my old posts I always first cry and then I am incredibly proud of how strong I am.  This is helping me now to stay strong in this quickly changing world.  I have been leaning into my creative side and painting a lot.  Here is a picture of my most recent completed painting.  Enjoy!

L is for Life Is Good!

I just got back from OHSU and my cancer check was clear!  No tumors in ankle and chest-scan clear.  I don't even have to go back for 8 months.  Yeah!  Yeah! Yeah!

L is for less bumps in the road, please...

On November 18th it will be two years since I found out I had cancer. I am a survivor! It has been a very bumpy road, tests, radiation, skin damage, healing, more tests, and more tests to come (Jan 26th). I have also gotten divorced, another bumpy road, separation, crying, loss, single motherhood, negotiation, paperwork, and now Ms. Borja. I wanted to ask for a smooth road ahead for at least the next two years. Then I was shown this quote from Jack London:


"I would rather be ashes than dust! I would rather that my spark should burn out in a brilliant blaze than it should be stifled by dry rot. I would rather be a superb meteor, every atom of me in magnificent glow, than a sleepy and permanent planet. The proper function of man is to live, not to exist. I shall not waste my days in trying to prolong them. I shall use my time"

I know the only way to avoid the bumpy road of life would be to stop driving, not ever leave my house, never talk to anyone and not watch the news. I realize that I do want to drive and find all the potholes, listen to my boys laugh when the van wiggles with the bumps in the road. I am a survivor, but I do not just exist like a sleepy planet – I live!

Wow - it has been a long time since I have blogged, so here are some pictures from August - the boys and I at the beach - Living la Vida Loca!

L is for looks like more sunshine!

I have great news about my cancer scans - all my results were clear! I don't have to go back until January. I am going outside now to enjoy the Oregon sunshine with my family! Looking forward to more sunshine in my life!

L is for less blogging more living life

I have realized that I have been blogging less, but have also realized that I don't miss it much. I have been too busy really enjoying life! Since my last blog Luke has been playing spring soccer, William has been playing baseball ,Jake has been just Jake, I have been taking long walks with Stormy between rainy days, teaching Sunday school, scrapbooking, lots of meetings for the schools, volunteer time, May 1st was Luke's first communion, Oma visited for a week, starting taking yoga classes, hiked at Fort Hoskins for Mother's Day, May 22-23 Relay for Life - our team raised over $3,000 and I stayed awake for more than 24 hours. Today I realized that with all this busy time my ankle has been hurting less and less. I go back for more scans on June 23rd, but feel my life is moving more each day from cancer patient to cancer survivor!

L is for Lucia

When we were in Chicago on Spring Break we got to meet Lucia for the first time. She is the boys first girl cousin and my first niece. She is almost one. I did not realize how much Luke loves babies - even today he said "I miss Lucia!". One picture is me with Lucia and the other picture is Jake, Luke, Bryce (another cousin), Lucia and William. We had a wonderful trip spending time with family and friends. The weather was mild except for the one day when it snowed all day.

L is for Leaving on a jet plane

The boys and I fly to Chicago for Spring Break tomorrow - St. Patrick's Day - I wonder if they give us green water on the plane? We return on March 24th with a few days to relax before the boys are back in school. We are looking forward to time with family and visits with friends in Wisconsin. Please pray for no snow because I do not miss that!