It’s Fame On Friday, because I heart my readers!
Today’s guest is a personal friend of mine, our boys go to school together, and I am so happy to have her here today. Heidi’s story and her blog are so powerful, and her way of writing creates such emotion in me. I have commented to her before that her posts are often like devotionals for me, because they are just so insightful and so spiritual and beautiful… but I’ll let her tell you her story herself! …some of you may have read this already, probably a little confused when you did, as I very accidentally sent her post out last week instead of just saving it! But please take the time to read it again.
I don’t think anyone ever thinks cancer will happen to them. But when you’re 35 with 0 risk factors it really is the farthest thing from your mind. So when I felt a weird lump in my left breast around November 2010 I was sure it was nothing.
What’s the first thing you do the moment you feel anything weird happening to your body? You google it of course – which made me even more sure that it was nothing. Do you know that 80% of breast lumps are benign cysts or fluid filled sacs? The article with that information also suggested that I see my doctor anyway – just to relieve my fears. So I did — 2 months later (after all it was probably nothing – right?)
My doctor didn’t think it was anything to be worried about either, but sent me for tests anyway since I could feel it easily and point it out to him. Then one test led to another and then another. By the time I was at the biopsy stage I started to realize this could be something. That was when my doctor gave me some advice I’ll never forget. He told me to stay in the moment. Don’t look ahead beyond the next test or the next stage. I know he meant that medically – I was now moving through a set standard of care, a check list of sorts. If a mammogram shows anything you move to an ultrasound, if that is negative you stop, if it’s positive you move forward. But I also found it helpful for putting fear at bay. Until it was something it was nothing.
And when it was something – breast cancer, confirmed with a point form pathology that showed everything in black and white, I still had to stay in the moment. First surgery, then chemotherapy, then radiation and after that, hormone blockers. The list seemed long and it felt like an eternity until I would be done. At each step my husband and I paused to think, to pray about the next step, to make decisions, to check our decisions.
The last year has been difficult for me, my husband, our 2 kids and all our family. I blogged about it as much as I could. Each post became a way for me to figure out what exactly I was feeling. I would write it and then think – ‘yes, that’s how I feel.’ and then I could move on.
Right now I’m in the process of figuring out what my blog will become. I’m still in treatment, my last injection is August 9th and then I get my port-a-cath taken out, but I don’t think about cancer every second of every day like I used to and I want my blog to reflect that. I’m realizing I want other things to define me – but what exactly? I love all the DIY blogs like Leanne’s but is that me? Who am I after cancer?
That’s where I’m at right now over at my house for coffee if you care to take a look.
Thanks Leanne for featuring me on your blog. I’m honoured to be here!
www.ourhouseforcoffee.blogspot.com
Thanks so much for being here Heidi, I’m honored to have you! xo!
And thank you to everyone for reading! I hope you take some time to pop over to Heidi’s blog and get to know her a bit!
xo, Leanne
Are you wondering what this “fame on friday” is? Here’s the info for you!:
Fame On Fridays! … because I heart my readers!!
I love my followers, and I am so grateful to all of you for following my blog…and as a thank you, I want to show you off! I know there are A LOT of talent reading my blog, and I want to know more about You!
If you have a blog, let us know whatever you want us to know about it! …But you don’t need to be a blogger to be featured. Love to bake? Send me your pictures and recipes! Love to knit? Send me a scarf! Haha, joking 
Maybe you accomplished something you didn’t know you could do, just because there was no one around to help you. Brag about it here! Maybe you changed something in your life in a positive way. Tell us about it! Maybe you are amazing at organizing. Share your tips with us!
If you would like to be featured, send me any info you would like us to know about you & pictures of what you have created. I’ll schedule you in for a Friday, and will email you to let you know when you are scheduled, so you can brag to all your friends!
The Only Rules:
1.) You must be a follower of Because (I think) I Can through email, Linky Followers, RSS Feed, or Facebook.
2.) Spread the Love! Let people know you are being featured, and where to find it! Do you have a friend you think people should know about? Get your friend to contact me!
That’s it! You can email me at leanne @ becauseithinkican . com, or contact me through my contact form on my sidebar. I look forward to getting to know you better!
Leanne
Past features:
Fame On Fridays #1: Raj Thandi from Pink Chai
Fame On Fridays #2: Stacey from Embracing Change
Fame On Friday #3: Randee from Randee’s Organized Chaos
Fame On Friday #4: Karie from ipinterest
Fame On Friday #5: Connie from Hot Flash’n Craft’n
Fame On Friday #6: Beth from Chic Envelopments
Fame On Friday #7: Tammy from HomeSpun Happenings
Fame On Friday #8: Anna from My Life and Kids
Fame On Friday #9: Michaela from Buttons and Yarn Oh My!
Related posts:
Dear Leanne and Heidi,
Thank you for this post!
There are turning points in our lives, sometimes is hard to figure out what to do…
I kept trying to control my life; I am a planner. But after being laid off about a year ago, I started decorating my house on a budget. That led to my blog and new business… Funny how life can just change when you least expect it.
Once I was at mass and wanted a “message” (don’t we all??) the ONLY word I got out of it was SURRENDER… It took me YEARS to understand. God did not want me to “give up”!!! God wanted me to LET GO. SO I am trying hard to let go of the paddles. Let the boat follow the current… I hope this all makes sense, LOL! Amazing things can happen!