What Do I Say?

Well, now, Doris, what can I say to all of that?

I am responding to this question which is really not a question but keeps appearing over and over in communications with friends and family as the news about my health gets out.

I just want to say there is nothing that needs to be said other than that which needs to be shared from the heart. All I ask is that my friends and family not shut me out. Life goes on.....and it IS going on with me.........some days I may be the caboose....some days I may be Eeyore and other days I may I be Tigger......but each day I am here.......I care about each of my friends and each family member and what I am going through DOES NOT take precedence over everyone else's life. I want to continue to share in your lives.......and I want the opportunity to let you all know that I do care about you and what you are going through.

I know first hand that this is NOT news that is easy to deal with but it must be dealt with in all ways. It is not going away and is not going to be ignored.

Ask questions when you need or want to. I will try to answer.

Do not rely too much on research done online because my cancer is one of 5,000 cases in the world and nothing is written in stone about the treatment or response......or remission lengths. Each case seems to be very unique and very individual.

Don't entertain one negative idea about this cancer. It's only cancer...no different than diabetes, heart disease, or many of the other hundreds of medical maladies that we encounter in our lifetime. Cancer is NOT a death sentence. The doctors sent me home to live and that is what I plan on doing.

Talk with me......not around me.......share your fears......your concerns, etc. Just do not ingore me or shut me out.

As far as funks.....depression, etc.........just everyone PLEASE seize the day and make it count for something. No excuses. No promises that tomorrow will be a new start because we DO NOT have that promise. Two weeks ago I was working, taking care of myself, playing with Aidan, etc. and in a matter of four hours my life was turned upside down.

RIGHT NOW. THIS MOMENT IS ALL YOU HAVE. MAKE THE MOST OF IT. PUT YOURSELF FIRST EACH MOMENT OF THE DAY BECAUSE THAT IS THE ONLY WAY YOU CAN OFFER YOUR PERSONAL BEST TO OTHERS.

LIVE LIFE! Take a walk, take a nap, read a book, listen to some music, reach out to a friend, go shopping with your eyes not your wallet (because things really do not bring you happiness), organize something even if it is your thoughts, give yourself ten minutes each day to wallow ( set a timer and at the end of 10 minutes get on with living life). You can change anything you want to change about your life (diet, exercise, smoking, etc.) and that includes changing the outcome of cancer.

My dear friends and family, life REALLY is way to short. PLEASE hear me on that.

And if you cannot change your life by yourself then ask for help as I have had to do. My family and friends have grown so close the last two weeks. We cry together, we laugh together, we pray together and sometimes we just sit in quietness together. It's all good and it's all healing......and it's all soothing to the soul.

I am here for each of you and I mean that with every breath that I take.

You are not "stupid" or "crazy" when you find yourself "stuck" in unproductive thought patterns or just the crazy business of life. You just have not heard your wake-up call. Let mine be yours. Change today. This very minute so you are healthy, vital and energized to enjoy all the precious moments that are yet to come into your life, the lives of your children and yes, even those yet to be born grandbabies.

No anitdepressants here....I am high on life........be that life a month, a year or 25 years. No more waiting for "some day" because I have seen my someday and it is RIGHT HERE, RIGHT NOW.

I was waiting to reach my goal weight to eat a piece of pizza. NO MORE. Pizza is on my list of things to eat. It is going to be my "losing my hair treat" and I may treat myself once a week if I feel the need.

I was waiting for the "right time" for a family trip to the beach. The RIGHT TIME IS NOW. As soon as I am physically able there will be a NO EXCUSES ALLOWED trip to the beach for some real family time. Can we say crabs!!!!!!

God is looking out for each of us and He wants us to have His very best. It is there for us..........we just need to grasp it.

I love you all.

Keep me in your scope and I will do the same for each of you.

Prayers abound..........

....and the only thing that needs to be said is that which you feel the need to share from your heart.

I have a favorite quote "Into the cracks of this broken heart the seeds of love do fall.....and there within a beautiful garden grows."

What do you say?

Just let love to do the talking.

Sincerely,
Doris