Before I get into the next part of my journey, I wanted to share this graphic. It really hits home for me — it shows the difference between what people see on the outside and everything that’s going on underneath. So much of this experience isn’t visible, even to the people closest to me. Continue reading 10 – Beneath the Surface
🌀 Mood: Nauseous, frustrated, determined, empowered Saturday – A Glimmer of Normal The day after my first chemo treatment, I woke up feeling surprisingly good. I remember thinking, I slept it off. I moved into the day with caution, wondering if the reactions from Friday would come back — but they didn’t. I went and got a facial, ran errands, and felt almost normal. What … Continue reading 9 – The Week After Chemo #1
🌀 Mood: Exposed & Growing I’ve always been a helper. It’s not just something I do — it’s how I’m wired.If you know your Enneagram type, I’m a 2. The Giver. The Nurturer. The one who shows up, checks in, and makes sure everyone else is okay. That instinct didn’t just come from nowhere. I grew up in a house where caregiving was part of … Continue reading 7-When the Helper Needs Help
🌀 Mood: Numb but steady In the days after my diagnosis, I was still trying to process what it meant. Each morning in the hospital seemed to bring a new piece of news — some terrifying, some hopeful — but all of it life-changing. I waited until after my husband’s shift to tell him. When he arrived at the hospital, I asked him to sit … Continue reading 5 – The Hospital Days That Followed
🌀 Mood: Disbelief → shock → quiet courage When my doctor called to tell me I needed to go to the hospital immediately for a blood transfusion, I was stunned. I didn’t know much about transfusions — except that it sounded serious. I had questions running through my head the whole drive over: What if I have a reaction? What if I get someone else’s … Continue reading 4-The Night Everything Changed
My Anchor Holds 