One year

One year, what can that bring? Well, to the average person, and family, probably some birthdays, anniversaries, etc. To me and my family this past year has brought us many things. It has brought us much hope, showed us how blessed we are, gave us new meaning, and also brought us down to Earth.

This past Thursday started this amazing year for us. And yes, I did use the word amazing. Yes, I went through hell, but, starting last Thursday- February 24, it was amazing.

On February 24 2010, the day started early for our family. Early in the morning my niece Brooklynn was born. I still can't believe she is a year old! She is an amazing little girl, and I may be the only one who says it, who knows, but her and I have a special bond! Happy Birthday Brookie!

Also, that same day at 9:30am, my brother walked from the maternity ward at Foothills, over to the cancer center. There, he got ready, and they gathered his stem cells. The doctors did it a week early because they wanted to make sure they had enough. They did, and he is my hero for doing this for me- one more amazing person!

On the 5th of March, I received the stem cells, and although grueling, I don't remember it being painful. The thrush I got after was tough, losing my taste buds was horrible ( they didn't stay gone to long, thankfully). Miraculously, I was only in the hospital for about 17 days after that, they say about 30-45 normally. I got to come home to see the kids!

That started my road to an amazing recovery last year! I was lifting the kids again, walking with ease. I was able to get out of the house. Then do things with the kids, then drive again. We spent a ton of time doing family things. I was able to go on the plane, alone with the kids to see mom! I was doing everything i was doing previously, but with more energy, with more vigor, with a new sense of life!

We were loving life. We were getting back down to earth, and realizing it isn't what you have, it is who you have. And it is how you spend your time! We decided in the past year, that we want to do the things we love to do, with the people we love. We want to live our dreams! In that decision, we decided that our condo that we HAD to move to because of the hell I went through, was actually a blessing in disguise. We realized it will help us do the things we love. Brett loves to have his fish, and keep busy with that stuff- so he started to plan all of that out! I love to travel, so, we will be doing that- starting with our trip to disneyland- a year ago, I would have never thought I would be back there so soon, but I am, and it is going to be one of my most amazing trips ever!

It has been one amazing year! I want to thank everyone who was apart of it, near and far, hands on or just an occasional thought! You have all been apart of our amazing year!

A year brings many things to many people, but, to a cancer survivor (or cancer patient), it brings much more. To anyone out there reading this, who has gone through it, or is going through it, be strong, focus on the positives, and who you are! To everyone out there reading who has not gone through it, stay close to earth, don't let life get away from you!