Survivor's Blog- November 7, 2012 Ask for Help if you need it...

Yesterday, I arrived at the polling station in Richland County and was unable to park my car in a handicapped spot . When I finally did make it up to the church, I found out that the wait in line to vote was at least 3 hours long. Physically, there is no way I could wait outside in the cold for 3 hours or stand for that time period. I was really unsure what to do? I still wanted to cast my vote. So I asked on of the church members if they could help me? I found out that if you had a handicapped permit in your car, you could vote from your car . So I trudged back to my car and waited in the handicapped line. It was wonderful to have the option, I would not have been able to vote otherwise.

If you are an Ovarian Cancer patient, your doctor can provide you with handicapped documentation you can take to the DMV to get either a temporary or permanent pass. I try never to use that handicapped designation unless I really need to. Some days I feel OK and I am fine to be normal. Some weeks ( like this one) I am not feeling too good. Had it not been for the election I would have been home in bed.



My view of all the poor voters waiting in line!

The Church on Kinerly Road- YIKES!!!!

Once in a while you just have to ask for help and depend on the kindness of others. This has always been really hard for me- I am fiercely independent!! It really is OK to ask for a little help.

Survivor's Blog November 3, 2012- Try Something New...

When you are really close to checking out of this world, you inevitably figure out that there are a bunch of things you missed out on! I never understood bucket lists, and now I do! After all of this cancer stuff, I am up for trying all sorts of new things. Some of the things I want to try are just tiny things I had never gotten around to doing;  like  tasting new foods and meeting more people. Other items on my list are big and life changing, like travelling the rest of the world!!!!

Prior to June 2011,  I felt that if I could stop feeling so sick all the time I could move on and get out in the world.   I always felt I could rebuild friendships I had been forced to neglect because I always felt so puny! I could travel more, I could work more, I could be with my extended family more. Basically, I could go out and live life as a "normal" person ( whatever that is? ). I never felt good or normal, so I never did much of anything.

 



Photo by David Asiamah

What I learned this past year is that I now have a "new normal". The doctors saved my life but, they left my body broken and damaged. Some of the broken things will repair over time, other things like my immune system are forever compromised.  I am moving at a slower pace than before, and that may be how I have to live the rest of my life. Regardless, I intend to really enjoy the time I have left on this earth sick or well.

For me the biggest thing that came out of my intention to enjoy life is my willingness to try new things both big and small. Since my diagnosis I have taken on some BIG NEW THINGS. I completed South Carolina Master Gardener Classes and I am working my way towards becoming a Master Gardener (something I always wanted to do). I was also photographed and interviewed for a book by David Asiamah about surviving cancer. This blog is another new thing that I decided to do to help other cancer patients.


As for SMALL NEW things, I have been peppering my daily routine with as many new activities and experiences as I can. For example, this past April, I attended my first Steeple Chase. I had a great day with my family enjoying the horses and the festival.  Later in the summer, I went exploring Fayetteville, NC with my Niece, Courtney. We slowly hit every open antique and thrift store we could find! I have tried new restaurants, taken a class on rain barrels, and gone to Cirque du Soliel. My husband and I even enjoyed the Clemson SC game last year in the" Zone".

Today, I tried an authentic Henna Tattoo. Last week in my Cake class I commented on the henna tattoo that one of my students, Tasrith, was wearing. I have always wondered what those tattoos signified?  I am completely fascinated by the artistry of the people that apply them. Tasrith was so kind, she said why don't I bring some henna next week and I can show you? After we finished class this afternoon, she sat me down and we all had a great time watching her tattoo my arm. It was impressive- she did this entire design freehand!  The photos where the design appears really dark were taken right after she did the tattoo. The lighter more detailed photos were taken an hour or so later after I scraped off the top layer of henna. The whole process cheered me up and gave me fuel for my art!

Trying something new may sound silly but, it will make you feel better! It might even help you heal....

Henna by Tasrith

 

 

Pretty cool!!!!!!!