Year One.

So here I am. One year from the day I got the phone call that rocked my world. It's weird how certain moments in your life seem to stand still. I can remember exactly what I was wearing, what my hair looked like, where I was standing, and what the weather was like when my Doctor called with my biopsy results. I jumped off the elliptical, when down to the east doors of WSU gym and took the call. I was very classy like wearing a "Free Weezy" shirt and had my long hair in a bun on top of my head. It was raining that day which added to the dramatic effect of the moment. It's strange the way things work like that.

The past year has been filled with pain, doubt, fear, joy, disappointment and love. I can easily say I will never look at myself and my friends and family the same way as I did before. I couldn't possibly look at life the same either. When I think back on the biggest lessons I learned this year they would probably go like this:

1. I am strong.

2. Never take health for granted. I can remember days that I couldn't muster the strength to get out of bed, both mentally and physically. I can remember dreaming of the days I could go for a jog. I ultimately gained 10 pounds as a results of chemotherapy, and lack of physical activity. I was already unhappy with my weight before cancer, and then I gained ten more pounds...and lost my hair. I knew that I owed it to myself and my body to kick it into gear as soon as treatment was done. I can tell you today I have lost 25 pounds since the last day of my treatments! I'm not sure what exactly caused my body to stop having the strength to fight the cancer cells that were growing in my body. Maybe it was just pissed off. But I am now a firm believer that everything you put in your mouth has some sort of impact on your body. I'm no health nut, but Derek and I have adopted a "Paleo" diet...well, a majority of the time we do...we're hardcore food and beer addicts (self-diagnosed). But, I have never felt better in my life. All of the yuck I used to fuel my body with did nothing but pack on pounds and poison my body with toxins. My body is my temple, and if I take care of it...it will take care of me.

3. The cliche saying "you find out who your friends are" is SO true. After being diagnosed I can go on and on about all of the people in my life that stepped up to the plate and showed me how important I am to them. I cannot even being expressing my gratitude to my family, friends, co-workers, or random people who had heard about my diagnosis. I could never have made it through six months without any of them. But along with that, you also learn who isn't going to step up to the plate. There were people in my life that I desperately needed, that weren't present during this time. I don't think they understand what an impact just their presence would have made on some of my toughest days. I don't say this to judge or to create a ranting blog, because judging isn't my job. And nobody wants to hear me complain. But I just use this as a lesson for when friends and family are in need. No matter what, I need to step up to the plate for them. You never know when you could be the one person they need to brighten their day.


-Molly