After spending most of last year in various hospitals and clinics, I have been VERY MUCH looking forward to some relaxation on my return to the United States.
However, relaxation wasn't quite in my cards.
Since I returned in January, I've had a concussion, a torn intercostal muscle in my chest, a mangled toe that will require surgery, a torn rotator cuff AND bicep tendon tear (which will also likely require surgery), another abnormal mammogram that had me in tears for three days (everything is all right at the moment).
NOT THE RELAXING RECOVERY YEAR I had in mind.
The home repairs have skyrocketed from $30k to $102,000 - which I don't have (these are the joys of buying an older home).
My dog has just been diagnosed for a second time with breast cancer.
My brother has disowned my sister (and possibly me as well).
It's as if I can't catch a break.
And yet.....
My garden is blossoming.
My home is being repaired and will be beautiful when completed - we'll figure out the financing later.
I'm getting stronger every day.
Pottery classes are the bomb.
I love my job.
I truly have the most remarkable friends on this earth.
There is just SO MUCH to be grateful for - this is something that hit home when I was going through chemo and radiation - I am so incredibly fortunate in so many ways, that it's hard to get caught up in the tough stuff - even when it feels insurmountable at times.
Things are never going to be EASY. Things are never going to be PERFECT. I don't have any rich elderly relatives that are going to leave me their millions. (Although, hey - Bill Gates is back on the market now, ladies, amIright?)
But life is good. Life is really good. And even though I'm limping, and in a sling, and feeling like I'm about 80 - I'm loving each and every day that I've been given since cancer.
Find something good today. Find something to be grateful for. Something to be happy about. Something to look forward to. It makes all the difference in the world.
