The true cost of Cancer…

Two years ago today, we received my diagnosis. It turned our world upside down. It was just the beginning of a huge journey.

During those two years it has been just as much ugly as it has been beautiful. Behind our smiles and strength is our truth of the real cost of Cancer.

Cancer has cost me my body as it once was. It has cost me my hair, my eyebrows and my eyelashes. It has cost us the ability to work, exercise and at times, function as parents. It has cost me full feeling in many parts of my body. It has been painful physically, mentally and emotionally.

It has almost cost us both our souls and sanity, more than once.

It has almost cost us each other.

It has tried to cost us our home, and still might.

On one dark day, it could have taken me with it…

We have felt disappointment, we have felt abandoned and we have felt lost. And we have felt fear. All consuming, terrifying fear.

But there has also been beauty.

Beauty in the love and support from those who have been there and accepted all that has been.

Beauty in the change that has evolved from within. To search ourselves so deeply and learn to love what is, has been a blessing.

The beauty with which we choose to see life, even more than before, gives us a second chance. Being forced to learn lessons so harsh have changed us forever. We will never be who we were before.

Each day we rise and smile. One foot in front of the other as we greet the day.

We have each new day to start again and find hope. Life keeps moving forward regardless.

I am here. I woke up today. I am breathing. Anything else is a bonus.

Life has never felt more beautiful…