It’s been worth it

I want to reminisce about some joyous occasions along my illness journey.
It wasn’t always sadness and worry; I still continued to live my life to the fullest!

One of the major milestones of my illnesses came in 2004 when I received my Yamaha baby grand piano.

In 2003, I was notified that I was eligible for Make-A-Wish. After thinking long and hard on what my wish should be, I decided that I would like a baby grand piano – the player piano, like they have in hotel lobbies!
The piano we had at the time was old and its keys were chipped; this new piano would be fabulous!
In April of 2004, it was delivered!!
It came in pieces that had to be put together by Yamaha professionals.
I even received a day-long tutorial from an expert regarding that particular piano model.
It remains at my childhood home until we’re able to get it up here,
but the gift of that wish is one of the highlights of my life!

Stepping back one year -2003- I was celebrating my 16th birthday.
I  was in the hospital during that time – some complications with my chemo regimen at the time –
but my family joined me for my special birthday.
I realized how incredibly blessed I was to have the incredible family that I did.
And not just at that point in time, but in every day since and after.
God blessed me with amazing parents and siblings,
and after getting married, blessed me with an entire second family to love and be loved back.
Especially during an illness like cancer, it is so important to have the love and support,
whether from family or friends – perhaps even strangers!
All of us need love in our lives – it’s a wonderful feeling when you have it.

In March of 2006, I was diagnosed with my second cancer – Ewings sarcoma.
This was also the year I was to graduate from high school.

When treatment began later in March, I wasn’t sure as to how I’d be feeling when the day came to walk across the stage and receive my diploma – the one I had worked so hard for.
I prayed that I would be well enough.

And I was 🙂

On May 19, 2006, I walked across that stage with my fellow classmates as we received our diplomas.
I had even felt well enough to write a song that I then performed at graduation, along with a few classmates.

I chalked this one up to the blessing of another milestone that God wanted me to experience.
(There are many of those)

As I finished up treatment in February 2007, my friend and I decided to take a celebratory trip to Belize.
(If you remember, this was where I lost my second wig!)
There was a group of professional skydivers visiting at the same time.
I was asked if I wanted to do this and came up with every excuse not to!
(I’m kind of a wimp when it comes to heights!)
But I was asked one last time – on the last day the divers were there – to go on their last dive of the day.
I said yes…

I’ll tell you right now – if you ever have the opportunity to jump out of a perfectly good airplane, DO IT!

It is terrifying and exhilarating all at the same time!

Those words also remind me of people going through a life-threatening illness like cancer.
Your diagnosis, the questions, the worry – all of that is normal and expected.
What isn’t expected is the feeling of renewed spirit throughout your journey –
the realization that life is fleeting and time is precious, so you intend to make the most of it.

I viewed my illnesses as a reality check.
I was given insight into how precious life is and I wanted to appreciate everything.
I haven’t always stayed true to that way of living – I am far from perfect – but every day, I strive to appreciate everyone and everything in my life.
I have learned not to take life for granted.

So I encourage you…

If you have never done anything that terrifies you, look harder!
If you’ve never done anything that exhilarates you, find something that does!

Don’t wait around for the “what if’s”… the “should have done’s” … the “do it later’s”…
Start living today!