Tag: Parenting

And a year passes.

Sunday, a year ago today, I was preparing to change my life.  I was to be at the hospital by the crack of dawn Monday morning to prepare for my 12 and 1/2 hour marathon surgery.  A bilateral prophylactic mastectomy and DIEP flap reconstruction. Over the year I have discussed at length the who, what and why’s.

One year later I look back and am still very surprised and how much this decision changed my life.  Clearly the fact that cancer markers were found and I reacted before cancer, is an obvious reason as to why I would be happy with my decision.  It is the rest that really has made me a happier person.

I enjoy every minute.  I know that sounds ridiculous and of course there are the normal issues during the day that get on my nerves but as to my family I really can not wait for the next thing.  The next wonderful thing that comes out of Madison’s amazingly advanced 6-year-old mouth.  Watching my extremely talented Megan as she raises the bar of what is possible with each god given day.  My wonderful husband who deals with the frustrations of thankless non caring bosses and the daily grind that allows me to still be home with my girls.  I take nothing for granted, I thank god for each day.  That may sound strange to many who are close to me since they know that I am not a very religious person.  Raised Catholic, non practicing for more years than I can count, I can not deny that a higher being in involved in many of the things that have happened in my life even if I do not always buy into the norms of structured religion.

Unlike my mother and so many woman around the world, I was able to avoid  breast cancer.  I remember when the most important thing in my life was the next work ranking report, the next inventory, the next meeting blah blah.  How small that seems now.  Today the most important thing to me in ensuring that I hug my kids daily.  So many people do not understand.  Many never will , other just do not care.

I am no longer defined by what others think….another change that has come over the last year.  Tomorrow we have no set plans.  My girls and I will take the day as it comes.  I am sure that the events of a year ago will be on my mind often this week.  The pain, the struggles, the frustration, the relief that I did not have cancer, the realization that after many years of hate just maybe someone is watching over us.

I guess my mind will be a little full this week. Looks like it will be a great week.

The Phantom

IMG_4539Sunday was the big day, Megan’s piano recital.  She has been practicing for weeks and could not have been more prepared.  She walked out on stage confidently, sat at the piano and played perfectly.  We could not be more proud of our little girl!  She played The Phantom of the Opera…if you have a minute have a listen!

Don’t tell Meg but jogging sucks!

The first official day of summer.  Megan has a birthday party today and Madison and I plan on running some errands.  The weather is beautiful although you can tell it is going to be very warm later.

Megan and I decided to make use of our summer to improve our conditioning/health.  During the later part of her soccer season the coach recognized that the girls were lacking in their conditioning and added a half mile run to every practice, a quarter-mile at the beginning and end twice a week.  Megan struggled to say the least.  Since my surgery I have tried to stay active and eat right but the hustle and bustle of things lately I have not been as vigilant as I could be.999257_406316359472689_1626284047_n

I set some basic goals for the summer, I would like to lose another 10 pounds and I would like to get Megan into better condition so she is more comfortable come the beginning of the season.  She will attend a few soccer camps over the summer and we have agreed to start jogging a few times a week.  NOW, as I began to think about this weeks ago it made perfect sense.  It would be good for both of us and it would be nice one on one time together.  When I was a much younger person I was a runner, kind of, I mean I was on the track team for a few years.  I was alright but to be honest I hated running.  Early in high school I hurt me knee which ended my track career.  I am not to sure at this point if it was really hurt that bad at the time or if it was just a great excuse to stop.   I still have knee issues so as to not create more torment in my mind about my youth I will stick to my “I hurt my knee story” ;-).

This morning Megan and I set out for our first jog of the summer.  I had it measured out, 2 laps around the block would be a half of a mile.  We started by dressing in our cute running gear, did some stretching and out the door we went.  I talked to her about form, proper breathing, we looked great!  Down the street we went, I see the corner, holy shit I am not going to make it!  Yes, sadly I could not even make it around half of the first lap.  I started to walk, reminded her I was 41 and did have major surgery a year ago and, and, and but in reality WOW!  Meg finished the first lap and continued to the second…what a good girl!  I did a few minutes on the elliptical machine and committed to at least continue to try.

What an eye-opening morning.  It is still good time with my big girl and I promise that I will continue to jog,walk, and whine just a little.