It’s Been Awhile…

I haven’t written anything in over two months.
I apologize to my faithful readers for that, but nothing much out of the ordinary has been happening in my life.  Since I was pulled off of the clinical trial in December, I have attempted to return to as much of a “normal” life as possible with my family.
Once the busy-ness of the holidays were over, I returned to Cleveland in January for a check-up scan.
The scan came back clear and I was scheduled to return in mid-March.

Throughout February, however, I was dealing with high blood pressure, headaches and left-sided pain, which was worrisome, seeing as how that was how the disease returned last year.
My appointment was moved from the middle of March to the beginning and my dad made the trip with me this time, seeing Cleveland and meeting Dr. Anderson for the first time.

Fortunately, the trip warranted great news – the scan was clear!
There is still no evidence of disease.  Praise God!
The blood pressure has been controlled with meds, and the pain comes and goes – some days better than others – but I push through.  I return to Cleveland in June for another scan.

So for now, we’re enjoying life as best we can!
Celebrating each day, thankful for each day.
I will do my best to post on a regular basis,
but there are only so many ways one can pass along that there is little change and life is moving forward!
And keeping up with a toddler is sure keeping me busy, too!!

I do intend to keep this website up and going, continuing to blog
but also adding helpful resources to those who are going through similar situations.
It has always been a goal of mine, from the very beginning, to share information that I have learned throughout these years – in and out of hospitals – in hopes to assist others in making their difficult journey a little bit easier.

In addition to raising my 18 month-old Energizer bunny, I have been officially accepted into graduate school for a Masters in Social Work.  (am I crazy??!!)  Over the years, especially the last year and a half, my chosen career path has been that of an Oncology Social Worker.  This is the first step in making that happen and I am beyond excited to start this adventure!  The first few semesters are done online, which is a blessing to me, as I continue to recover and get healthy again.

I have been extremely grateful to all of you who have followed my journey thus far, and will continue to follow.  You have shared many sorrows with me, but you have also shared so many joys!

As a way to say thank you, I would like to give away Smiling with Sarah t-shirts to those of you who may not have acquired one yet.  It is my hope, that when folks wear these shirts, they live according to the motto on the front – “Let your smile inspire!”

There were several shirts left over from the January benefit – adult sizes M-2XL –
and if you do not yet have a shirt, I would like to send you one!
3/22 UPDATE:  No more 2XL’s left.
Just simply send me an email – admin@smilingwithsarah.com – with the size you’d like and a mailing address.
(I’ll even cover shipping!)
I hope you wear it with pride!

Michael and I, as well as our extended family, would like to sincerely say
THANK YOU
to everyone who has supported us along this journey.
We couldn’t have made it this far without your love and prayers – we are forever grateful for that.
As I return to a life without cancer, I return with a great appreciation for life and all of the blessings within it.
I hope you have gained some appreciation for the blessings in your life as well!

Don’t be a stranger!  I’ll continue to blog – probably a lot about my miracle baby and how fast she’s growing up!

Cherish each second with those you love.
It usually takes a hardship for us to appreciate all of the little things in life, because,
as the quote says,
“…one day you look back and realize they were the big things.“

I’ll see you soon!
~Sarah