A running commentary about life: Kicking cancer's ass

Today marks twelve years since I heard the words "It's cancer".

Those two words changed my life in so many ways. Even now, years and years after cancer treatment and surgeries, there are a lot of days where I feel everything catch up to me: mentally, physically and emotionally. The load is heavy sometimes.
My friends tell me I have PTSD from everything I've gone through. I probably do.

I wish I could be one of those people who "gets past it". Someone who gets healthy and never looks back. Just a blip on the radar. Cancer is invasive, though, and I don't just mean on a cellular level. There are so many scars (inside and out). There are medications and side effects, to this day. I have lymphedema (from having lymph nodes removed), which will never go away. There's always another test, another appointment.

Next week I have to have my annual abdominal MRI for pancreatic cancer screening... the same test that triggered another round of tests, scans and biopsies last fall. The fear never goes away. Ever. Every bump, every mysterious symptom, every pain is suspicious.

This is not a "woe is me" post, though. I'm not wallowing in all of the terrible things cancer is. Thankfully I am doing well. Trying to age gracefully ha ha

My body will always look and feel way older than I am, chemo brain is real and menopause sucks (even all these years later). With all of that said, I am SO DAMN GRATEFUL to be here, living life, making so many amazing memories with my friends and family. My circle is small, but treasured.

It seems like there's always so much going on and I'm busier than ever. I will never complain about seizing the moment and making the most of every day, though! We've had a lot of changes in our little family over the past few months... new apartment, new home, new puppy, new school, new fiancee... it's hard to capture all of that in one post, so I'm just going to do a big photo dump from the spring and summer.

Our annual trip to Oklahoma City for the Womens College World Series was FANTASTIC. Not only was the weather perfect (aside from the tornado, but that's a story for
another day), but our favorites - Texas Longhorns - took home their first national championship!

Kelsie even caught a foul ball! Only took 9 years of going... ha ha

One of my very favorite things to do is go to concerts. Hubby is not a fan, but thankfully Kels is the best concert buddy! She's always up for a show, learns the set lists and even designs our matching outfits. She's my little broke bestie and I wouldn't change a thing!

We had the best time at Post Malone/Jelly Roll and TWO NIGHTS of Morgan Wallen in Arizona. We even dragged Hubby to a show! Unfortunately it didn't turn him into a fellow MW superfan.

Dexter is still... Dexter. He's high maintenance and loud and gives us a health scare every now and then, but he's 13 going on 2 and loving life. Goose is 4 now, weighs more than Dexter and is the strangest cat I know.

Speaking of pets... this little love is Kelsie's new best friend. Meet Zora. Both of my pets are terrified of her.

She's the cutest little thing. I never mind puppy sitting!

We officially moved Kelsie out of her dorm in May, and she's not going back! She is transferring to Hardin Simmons in Abilene, and has an apartment with her friend Chloe. San Angelo wasn't the right fit for her. Hoping she finds her college home at HSU!

We had a fast and furious road trip to Arizona, but we packed in a lot. Two days in a fabulous condo, two nights of Morgan Wallen, a day trip to the Grand Canyon and some interesting stops on the way home. Over 2500 miles and 45+ hours of driving!

Sometimes it's so easy to get caught up in wife/mom/job duties and activities that I forget to nourish the part of me that needs to connect with my girls. I was so happy to spend a relaxing weekend with these wonderful friends... snacks, pjs, Netflix, and we capped it off with The Lion King.

Long lost friends!!! I haven't seen Kim in over ten years, and I just happened to be at a conference an hour away from where she lives. We had a quick half day visit, but SO good to see her!

I've been a romance reader for decades, and I'm thrilled to work with some amazing authors (I'm a virtual personal assistant). I had the best time at RAGT and we were all honored to meet Lori Foster.

Another right place, right time friend visit... Shelley and her daughter Charlotte were in Dallas for volleyball. We made a weekend trip to Winstar to gamble and soak in some sun.

New job at the country club!

I am BEYOND thrilled that my son finally (FINALLY) proposed to this sweet, beautiful girl. They celebrated their engagement with a trip to Vegas (and Wrestlemania), and then bought a house when they got back!