The one-year mastectomy anniversary came and went, and my annual health exam and labs (so far) passed in pretty good standing. My ANA titer was elevated, indicating autoimmune activity of some kind, or worst-case scenario, an early indicator of metastasis. My other lab results were good, though (some were their best ever), so the hope... Continue Reading →
One year
One year ago today, I received my initial diagnosis of breast cancer, ductal carcinoma in-situ, a non-invasive form of breast cancer in my left breast. Initially, the news was not that bad. It was the least harmful form of cancer and was highly treatable. I underwent a core biopsy, called my family and friends to... Continue Reading →
Teenagers, Coronavirus, and the Government
This lovely little video made by a 9th grader named Liv McNeil touched my heart and inspired me to write this blog post. Click on the highlighted text above to view the video. It is beautifully made and worth watching. It shows a side of teenagers that we adults tend to overlook. I love teenagers.... Continue Reading →
things I love today
Ten things I love today: 10. Shopping at the Wedge without the children and browsing the Health and Beauty aisles so long that I think dust began to gather on my groceries, 9. my cupboard of homeopathic remedies and essential oils and other little tricks that I have learned to use over the years, 8.... Continue Reading →
gratitude
Today I saw a quote. "Gratitude unlocks the fullness of life. It turns what we have into enough, and more. It turns denial into acceptance, chaos to order, confusion to clarity. It can turn a meal into a feast, a house into a home, a stranger into a friend. Gratitude makes sense of the past,... Continue Reading →
Ayurveda and my post-Thanksgiving blues
I learned about Ayurveda a while back after my friend Lish introduced me to it. Ayurveda is an ancient form of medicine that is 5,000 years old. Originating in India, it is the oldest known health-care system in the world. Learning about Ayurveda has changed how I view myself, my health, other people, and... Continue Reading →
a lovely gift idea for the holidays
For the third time I had the honor of photographing a few of Erin's beautiful soaps. They smell almost good enough to eat. Here are photos from previous years, and more here--although I am not sure whether these products are still available. These will be for sale in her Etsy shop this year, along with... Continue Reading →
Is a full-fat diet better for your health?
After spending most of my teenage years and twenties as a vegetarian, I surprise myself a bit when I look at what I eat these days. I think I would have fallen off my rocker if I'd had a glimpse into the future and see what I eat now. My fat-phobic self would have likely... Continue Reading →
2 years, 4 months and still nursing. Here’s the story.
(Disclaimer: My views on breastfeeding go hand-in-hand with my deep respect for parents of adopted children and those who are unable to breastfeed. In no way do my views seek to undermine how you feed and parent your children; there are many ways of raising babies with love. At the same time, I am an... Continue Reading →
I love love.
Today I am grateful for the simple gift of having love in my heart. Having children has taught me a lot of things, but most importantly it has taught me the meaning of unconditional love. I love them. And I love them no matter what. I will always love them, no matter what. I will... Continue Reading →
