Gratitude

Yesterday I was talking to a co-worker of mine who is moving on to new endeavors, and I told him he could check my blog to keep in touch.  As we were talking about my cancer journey, I said to him, "This is going to sound really strange and ridiculous, but this has actually been a really positive experience."  I still mean that.  Mainly because I see how much love has been shown towards me, and how lifted I feel to God through all your prayers.  It's incredible and I am in total awe. 

Last week when I found out, the second call I made after my mom was to my best friend Amy.  She knew what was going on and gave me her work cell phone number in case I got any news.  When I called her, she was at work, and started crying.  I said, "Amy!  Don't cry!  I'll be fine!"  But of course, I started crying too.  She now lives in North Carolina and I knew it was tough for her to be away at this time, and wouldn't you know it...that night as I was grocery shopping I get a text from her saying she bought a plane ticket to come in for about 24 hours just to hang out.  Who does that?!?!  The best kind of person, that's who.  So I got to take the afternoon off work and we got ice cream, a pedicure, went out to dinner, and hung out on the couch in our pjs watching a movie and stalking our friends on Facebook.  ;)  It was amazing.  It was exactly what I needed. 

 

A number of my co-workers/friends have already been amazing.  One, whom I call my soul mate, is already offering to watch Julia or go to appointments with me.  Another has been sharing so much of her own story because her roommate has been going through the same situation since July and has been informing me of what to expect and tips on how to handle doctor appointments.  I can't say enough how much that has helped.  Today she introduced me to her roommate and the three of us had lunch.  It was great to hear from someone who is recently going through the same journey and is 34, so also younger.  People at work have been amazing and it's so great to have a workplace where you can trust others with information like this and feel like you're not really going to work every day, you're going to your second family. 

 

My neighbors have been great and super supportive, and knowing people who live on your same block that are willing to be there down the road is of great comfort.  And all my friends from years past have also been great.  I have been getting so many messages from folks I haven't talked to in years, and I'm touched to know I still cross their minds from time to time and that love and care is still there.  Tonight I just got done video chatting with two of my friends and former roommates from college and it was so fun to see each other's faces and hear their voices again.  We decided that will become a quarterly event! 

 

And of course, my family.  My parents, sister, husband, aunts, cousins, Godmother, in-laws, everyone.  Everyone has been amazing and I feel like the luckiest person on Earth to have such a strong support system.  This journey will be much easier with so many people along the road from different parts of my life cheering me on.