I cannot believe it’s been over a year since my last post. Did life get so busy that I pushed aside one of the most important things to me?
In a nutshell… YES and NO.
Last year my cancer journey changed significantly. I basically turned the corner and took on a new job (a paying job) which did a few things for me.
1) It made me feel validated as a “career” woman. I took many years off from working to be available as a mother and a wife and of course, most recently it allowed me to focus on healing from cancer (which can definitely feel like a full time job in itself).
2) It stimulated me mentally and intellectually which I think is something moms sometimes feel they lack between the cooking, cleaning, laundry, chauffeuring, “momming”, etc.
3) It provided some extra income of course which is always nice, but more importantly for me, as the spouse that stays at home full time, there is the element of validation that sometimes you just don’t get from your family.
There were a few things that taking on a job did to me (or rather I let happen).
- I started sitting (a lot). Which made me less active and my body and overall wellness declined.
- I was stressed (a lot) because I was managing the house, kids, dogs, cooking, cleaning, laundry, and my job. I had some help, but I wasn’t managing things with as much grace as I would have liked… and still don’t feel like I am.
- Cleaning veggies, juicing, healing protocols, exercise, eating healthy, and most of the other things I did previously became secondary. I found that my life felt really out of balance.
In September of last year, I had another PET scan that showed that was stable again… Thank GOD. I mean really… THANK GOD. I was worried (of course) I am always worried about the scan showing something, but I was so very grateful that it didn’t and I finally felt like I was in remission. I kept pushing hard, running around like a chicken with my head cut off and in November I got really sick with a crazy rash that was on my face, inside my mouth and throat with sores and all over my body. I never did really get an answer as to what caused it, but the diagnosis was erythema multiforme which is a rash that is triggered most likely as an immune response to an infection. It was severe and it was awful.
The holidays hit and I was staying safe (ordering groceries, wiping everything down, sanitizing mail, and sometimes feeling like I was going overboard.) When Christmas arrived, we were quarantined before traveling to see family in Texas and were able to spend a very well deserved and fun filled time with our families. Myself and the girls all got COVID-19 when we returned, but thankfully we faired pretty well. Whether it be our O blood types or strong immune systems, I am so very thankful that we made it through ok. When I got COVID, I was feeding the following things to myself and to the girls:
- Vitamin C, Vitamin D, zinc, and Juice Plus, lots of rest, Veggie juice, and organic Chicken Soup (for the kids).
- I also took aspirin (to prevent blood clots) as well as Ivermectin (a prescription parasite drug that works well at mitigating symptoms sounds strange, but it worked).
February 25, 2021 I had another CT scan… still stable. God really does answer prayers. They did see a small node on my lung which is new, but not necessarily cancer. They wanted to biopsy, but I said no… I don’t want to “poke the bear”. I know what I need to do… so I better get to it.
I know I need more balance in my life and one step toward doing that is to start writing again and having fun. With COVID and my work, last year was just one big blur. I am always a work in progress, learning how to live more and thrive beyond cancer. A huge shout out to my inspiration, Darien Gee, who invited me to an accountability writers group (in Clubhouse, a new social app) very last minute to take 30 minutes to write this. THANK YOU. 🙏
I am happy to be back and I realize that no matter how busy life is, it’s important to prioritize the things that make me happy & healthy. Thanks for reading, and I promise to write again soon!
Onward and Upward!
Kay
Kay Blackburn 
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