All about September
Here we are in September already... which is a bittersweet month for me. It was my one year anniversary on September 3rd for removing the cancer tumour that started me on this cancer journey. Yahoo, and also my first year in menopause, of which I haven't noticed much changes in that respect. Too busy dealing with the cancer treatments that take precedent over menopause symptoms. And so September begins many first reminders of the journey to becoming cancer-free. It is seven months cancer-free on September 17th. Hospital life has slowed down, and I only have the physical check up in Sudbury at the end of the month. My doctors are never far away... while I work through the post-chemo treatment issues. Life is good... hopeful... and promising for a cancer-free future. However, I know that there are several years of monitoring ahead of me. But for now, so far so good!!
September 4th marked one year without my dad. It's been a massive year of change for my mom, but she is doing well. She never has a shortage of things to do with volunteering time and energy to her multiple organizations. Also this spring, she planted the "community" garden which got larger when we kids said I want to plant zucchini and squash (from the seeds I gave her at christmas) which translated into mom planting and looking after a large garden. She has a wealth of people invested in this garden. Family and friends would stop by to check in on the garden, and we would see the harvest of fresh vegetables to enjoy this fall. Dad would be pleased with her garden. She has started the winter wood process, and this entails going out to fall trees, then cuts and splits it ready for the wood stove this winter. My siblings have helped a lot during this past year, and I pitch in when I can. The butterfly that floats around us during our family weekends, just solidified our knowledge that Dad's spirit is with us.
September is also my birthday month. I don't have the zest for birthdays as I once had, maybe because it's been a rough year. I'm sure the day will come and go, and I will celebrate with family and friends. It won't be the same without dad, but it can still be a day to celebrate my accomplishments to date. That's what birthday are about, to celebrate and enjoy all that's done and all that's yet to come. Take the good with the bad! There's still lots of living left to do, so I take each day as it comes right now. Some days are good, some days were meant to rest, and other days are meant to be busy. All days are meant to build my recovery to a point to get back to a normal life. It's slow and frustrating sometimes, my mind is on fast forward with ambition, but my body is a week behind trying to catch up. When it meets the middle point, I crash and need to rest. These are the self-care days where I need to let the cancer treatments do their job. I have to learn to be like a turtle... slow and steady wins the race!! :)
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Always love to read your blog posts.
ReplyDeletePlease Continue them. They keep us all connected.
I am so sorry you have had to deal with all this in the past year. You are a strong, resilient woman and I am sure you will eventually get back to "normal", or something that resembles normal these days. Keep on doing what you need to do to get there. Miss you.
ReplyDeleteI love reading your Blogs as well! Thankyou so much for taking care of my Mom while you have been going through all this as well! You are such a beautiful strong woman even when you may not feel like it. But you are! Lots of Love and Hugs! Bev
ReplyDeleteWhat a year you had to go through.
ReplyDeleteBut I can see that you get your strong will and energy from your mom as well. She seems like an amazing woman, the same as you!
Give yourself time, stay positive and keep your spirit high! On bad days spoil yourself with little things, you deserve that. I am sure these days will be soon in the past.
You are an inspiration to all of us who are reading your blog. Thank you Susan!