SpruceHill

A Package!

I got a package yesterday, from France. I won an advent contest on Lineanongrata.

When I saw it on the counter after getting home from school pick-up I was so excited! I just had to open it to see what was inside.

 

French stamps are so.....French!

 

This is what was inside,but wait there is something more! This is just the bag it came in, isn't it pretty?

 

And here is what was inside! It is a Julia original. I love it. I am going to keep my camera in it. It fits perfectly!

I love blogging, it makes me happy! Thank you Julia!

Warm Temperatures

It feels like spring here on Spruce Hill. Yesterday our high was 65 degrees. We spent the day mostly outside. The girls enjoyed riding bikes and scooters not having to wear jackets or coats. I got to sit on the front porch and finished my book in a t-shirt. The high today will be in the 50s.

We were able walk down to the creek on Saturday before some of the ice melted. It was a good day for a walk and we enjoyed the fresh air.

 

It was refreshing and rejuvenating.

 

 

It was beautiful there and the light was perfect, shining brightly off the ice.

   

 

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We lost a friend yesterday in our support group BCAUSE (Breast Cancer And U Support and Encouragement). She fought hard and long. She gave us much support and inspiration. She will be missed by her family and friends. Her memory will live in our hearts and will help us continue to fight hard against this disease.

One Year Ago Today

 

One year ago today I had a bilateral (double) mastectomy

At the age of 41

Because I had breast cancer

That was undetected

I said goodbye to my breasts

I was scared

I cried in the waiting room

When the nurses asked all their questions

My friend took my picture in a lovely gown and hat

She sends it to me sometimes to cheer me up

She sat in the waiting area with my husband so he would not be alone

Another friend came to see me in the recovery room

To make sure I was ok and to tell me she loved me

I spent only one night in the hospital

I embraced my reconstruction and my new body

I spent a long time in pain, uncomfortable sleeping, sitting or standing

I could not brush my hair by myself

I took a lot of pain medication every four hours

My wonderful husband took good care of me

He changed my bandages around my drains

Without hesitation

He made sure I knew that he loved me everyday

My friends delivered meals and came to visit bringing me flowers and small gifts

My family circled around me to hold me close

My children surprised me at how resilient the really are

They made me proud to be their Mama

I still had a long road ahead of me

Treatment

Hair loss

More surgery three weeks later

My chemo port and lymph node surgery

This year I made it through all my days, the good and the bad.

One day at a time

I lost my hair and grew it back.

I walked a 5k forthe cure of breast cancer

I became a blogger

I met many woman who share my struggle

Mommies like me

I began to not feel so alone

I have been energized and inspired by them

I started blogging with them to spread awareness

To help other mothers with cancer

I met other bloggers

Who did not have cancer

They cheered me on and gave me encouragement to fight

Sending little messages to me in my comment box

I take nothing for granted

I cherish every moment

I slowed down my life

To enjoy it as much as possible

I decided it is ok to eat ice cream and chocolate everyday

Because life is short

I experienced great friendship

And the kindness of strangers

I joined a support group for young survivors

There are a lot of us in my local group

Too many

I have helped other woman

Who are going through the same hell

Trying to give back

So my experience will not be wasted

 

Cross posted on Mothers With Cancer

A Peak At Spring

 

   

It is finally starting to bloom. I think I did not water it enough!

Happy Friday!

Our Backyard TV Special

We have been having a lot of fun watching our own backyard nature show.

 

The girls have been putting bird seed out on the back steps and taken to sitting and watching the birds that come so close to the windows.

 

It is always exciting to see what kind of bird will be brave enough to come to the steps next.

 

 

Everyone has been joining in......for different reasons.

 

For the dogs it is much more about gourmet cuisine than bird identification.

   

   

The blue Jays tend to be a bit shy.

 

Finally after two days they decided it was ok to come closer.

 

Yesterday and this morning we had a red-bellied woodpecker looking in at us, but I was not able to get his picture. He is not so keen on posing for the camera.

 

Our new bird book has been a permanent fixture beside the window. We have been having great fun identifying all the birds that we see. It really is better than real TV.