Cancer Survivors Day

Eight months and 8 days post surgery. I'm alive and kicking. (8 is my favorite number).

Cancer Survivors Day was yesterday but I celebrated today with my friend Betty. We went out and then hung out at her house watching hail the size of golf balls falling from the stormy sky. I know we need rain but this is ridiculous!

The community of breast cancer patients, my family and friends, and all of my caregivers (doctors, nurses, technicians, etc.) have kept me going despite the endless doctor appointments, blood tests, scans, medicine, side effects and emotions that come with surving breast cancer. 

I have met many cancer survivors both on and off social media and I hope you all found time to celebrate life. Here's hoping all cancers will soon become curable. 

Life is good!

A selfie (me and Betty's dog Daisy). Daisy gets so excited when I go over she hyperventilates!

Relaxing

I spent some time gardening after I mowed the lawn today. I'm looking forward to spending more time outside this summer. 

Monday I started a new position at work. I moved to the Business Dept. and am now an administrative assistant and an assistant to Kathy (Accounts Payable). 

I got through my first week.

Gardening relaxes me, connecting with nature, with the outdoors. Well over 100 studies have shown the benefits of being outside in nature. Mood improves, productivity increases, and stress is reduced. This is a healing way to de-stress and lower cortisol - that stress hormone that can ruin your health when its levels are high for too long.

I am sitting out back enjoying the fruits of my labor. The double-blooming roses are beautiful. My cacti are doing great - three have bloomed.

Our yard is a place of beautiful colors, the red earth feeding the plants, the blue cloud-filled sky today was nice. It wasn't too hot. Now I am watching the minute by minute changes in the sky as the day ends. It's getting darker and darker. The quiet is relaxing. Even the birds have hunkered down for the night.

My mind and body are able to fully relax. Finally.

A trip to the beach, a walk through a park, or a hike into the hills can feel like a mini vacation.

I gave myself the gift of nature and relaxation. I will do the same tomorrow.