Yesterday was my very favorite holiday of the year- Thanksgiving! Sometimes people can't believe that I'd put Thanksgiving over Christmas (my step daughter included), but for years now I've been very intentional about making this holiday the very best it can be. I've made so many great memories with friends and family that have really cultivated this day into the best of the year for me. Next week I'll be sharing how we celebrated, including one of the best traditions- Thanksgiving kickball!
Today is the first post in a series I'll be doing called Favorite Things. Some of these things will be ways I've made it through chemo, some will be the great services and acts of wonderful friends (which are very deserving of mention), and others will be things that have just made me smile. I read this paragraph on Instagram yesterday that I feel depicts some great perspective on the concept of gratitude "I read on one of those Thanksgiving graphics somewhere that gratitude is the way back home. Honestly, sometimes it kind of bugs me how gratitude feels like such an admonition... But for me, viewing gratitude as not the magic button, but just simply the way back home, the way to touch ground again, that works for me." That was from Lindsay Mostrom of Pinch of Yum. She said that gratitude allows her to find her way back to center. What is experiencing any trial, cancer included, if not just an obstacle on the way to finding your center? All of these things I document are just that, my redirections to center, focus and peace. And I am truly, truly grateful for each and every one of them, great and small.
- Vitamin C Injections
This time around I've been seeing a naturopathic specialist named Melissa Coates MD. She. is. awesome. Part of my treatment with her is receiving Vitamin C injections. These have made SUCH a difference in my energy level and helping to dull or reduce the negative effects of chemo on my body. We all know the value of having energy and being functional, it helps you feel human. I get these injections on the off weeks from my treatment, and I look forward to every visit. If you ever have any questions about alternative or additional treatments like this, don't be afraid to ask!
- Awesome Friends Gift- Slay Cancer bag
How cute is this bag?? This was made by my awesome friend Tiffani Mullenaux. I always tell people that anything cute in my house came from Tiffani- she is so talented and creative! This bag has all my essentials for chemo and makes me smile on the days where I want to smile the very least.
- My Nurses
These shirts were made for all of my friends and awesome support group to wear when I was first diagnosed a few years ago (One fun thing about colon cancer is the fabulous puns you get to use ;)
This is a photo of all my oncology nurses, also known as the angel ladies, wearing the "crappy cancer" shirts. I doubt our nurses will ever know how much we truly love and appreciate them throughout this journey. Do you know a nurse? Text them or hug them today. Are you a nurse? Thank you and thank you again for everything you do.
- End of the day in the yard
It really is the simple things. This backyard is something that I dreamed of for years, and it's something that Scott and I made happen together with a lot of hard work. Being able to enjoy it every day is something I'm really grateful for- but I'm most grateful for it when it's the gathering place of our kids, family and friends.
- Foot Baths
Raise your hand if you LOVE a good bath bomb, epsom salt session, or aromatherapy type deal. Oh my goodness, I looove this little tub and all the magic inside. Sitting on my couch and putting my feet into a nice warm tub with baking soda, epsom salt, EO, and a lovely bath bomb- it's like I can feel the toxins leaving my body. And what woman DOESN'T need this ritual in her life? I mean, really.
One amazing thing about gratitude is how it unites us. How great did it feel scrolling through your feed yesterday and today and seeing all the families and friends coming together to celebrate our blessings? You can't help but think to yourself how lucky you are to be human- to love and to be loved. We all have struggles, trials, health issues (or family members with them) and we all need one another as reminders of what we have instead of the things we don't. Gratitude as a practice has been so important in this process for me. Recognizing the blessings that I have in the midst of such uncertainty of the future has made all the difference for me.
These are some of my favorite things- now I'd love to hear, what are some of yours?
xo Mandy
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