Sunday, January 24,2016

Hello everyone and welcome back....

Hope everyone had a pleasant holiday season. Its crazy to think its 2016.

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The gloves above....

As I head into 2016, the gloves are back on.  Two years after my initial diagnosis, I am currently being reevaluated for treatment to begin the next battle.  This will include new medicine and radiation.  My diagnosis means there will always be battles to face.  Those battles occur daily, weekly, and monthly.  Cancer survivors don't just face chemotherapy, or surgery, or radiation.  We also fight the battles of daily pain, and doubt, and fear.  

And, after 15 minutes of that, I put my gloves back on.  I listen to music, and get my mind back in the game.  I use my weapons of humor and education, along with the valued support of family and friends.  Its so important to acknowledge my feelings of weakness, and then match them with the power of strength.  I take pride when people flatter my short hair, or remind me it was just "yesterday," when I dealt with treatment.  I still talk with others and explain how the medicine and science is allowing people to be diagnosed earlier and treated better.  This allows for education, and my message can be shared with others who have questions they are afraid to ask.  This also allows patients to work during treatment.  I face this everyday.

I do my best to do as many "normal" activities as I can.  Whether its go to a party, or meet new friends, or work out, or play ball.   I still take on challenges and I still pay bills.  I continue to find humor in some of the aches and pains, because, what else can I do about it?

I thank everyone for sharing this journey with me.  I am the only one who can walk the path, but I can always find support along the way.  It gets harder all the time, but I am grateful for every distraction, and messages of hope, strength, and courage.

Love, Sosa