What a difference a year makes?

One year ago today, I had my "35 and Alive birthday party"...my birthday is actually in November, but I had my celebration early to make it easy on all of my friends and family coming in from out of town. Today was kind of bitter sweet for me. On one hand, I can't believe how far I've come in a year(still carrying that extra chemo wait, but hey...things could be worst right?) On the other, I can't believe how quickly things can change and not always for the better.

My week was pretty busy, Dan was away on business and yet I managed to stay pretty active, which made spending our 3rd wedding anniversary alone a lot easier to tolerate. The way I look at it, Dan having to go away on our anniversary was a sign that things are normal.. No special treatment needed, no pass because of a sick wife. So although it sucked, it was a great reminder that we are well on the road to normalcy.

Friday, I gave a speech at an Ovarian Cancer event sponsored by a sorority at the University of Central Florida(I've attached a pic from the festivities above) It was a small crowd but a great night spent with some of my favorite people and some new friends.

Saturday(Dan came home Friday night) we took a two and a half hour road trip to my cousins house. My aunt is gravely ill, battling lung cancer. Just one year ago at my party, she was cancer free and enjoying every moment of it. Just three months ago, she was struggling a bit but still working and living on her own...now she can no longer speak.

We had to turn around and come home after a few hours of visiting as I had to get ready for my classes(I teach acting to kids and teens). A year ago, my classes were a distant dream and now they are a reality. I guess what all of the ups/downs, bumps/lumps make me realize is that no matter what our journey we should all be enjoying the moment.

I met two wonderful women at Friday's UCF event, a spoken word artist and a singer/musician. I was reminded through their performances that we should all be present and in the moment and remember that this too shall pass.

A OKAY on the check up front...

As I walked into the cancer center for my 8:30 appointment on Tuesday, the moment was a bit surreal. Not because of my looming appointment where I would find out it this ugly beast was still minding it's own business, but because my father who lives some 500 miles away, was walking into some building of his own to face his own beast, his first radiation treatment for prostate cancer. Even as I write these words, it's still unimaginable to me that cancer can strike not only once, but twice in the same family at the same time. We're not alone in this journey, there are millions of people in the same predicament all over the world. It doesn't make it any easier to digest, in fact I'd say it's equally annoying at best. The good news is that I'm still kicking cancer's butt and my dad is too!! It's funny, now that I know the word cancer I find myself hoping and praying that if anyone I know gets it, that they get a kinder more gentle version. Something manageable,something beatable...a kind version + a great attitude= a win win situation. Funny how our perspective changes with firsthand experience.

I'm a survivor...

This video is amazing!! I was going to attach it to a long and drawn out, we are all survivors kind of post...but it really is a stand alone piece. Please know that you are not alone in your fight!

CANCERVERSARY--Thank you...

I still plan on giving this speech when I accept my first Emmy or Oscar, but I thought it was only fitting that I that I pay homage to this day with some important thank-you's.

Two years ago today, I was diagnosed with Ovarian Cancer. Two years ago today, my life was forever changed. Today, I am still here and blessed to be so.

Thank you to my wonderful hubby(Dan) who without him by my side this journey would have been a lot harder to navigate.

Thank you to the most wonderful parents in the world for being there every step of the way.

Thanks to all my friends & family, those near and far who have lifted me up and continued to lift me up in prayer.

THANK YOU to the wonderful team of Doctor's for making this journey a little less scary.

Thank you to the Ovarian Cancer Alliance for everything you do to make this diagnosis easier to understand.

And finally, it's without saying...I thank GOD for staying with me. There were times that I've question why, but at the end of the day I know there is a plan for me and it will revealed all in HIS time.