Saturday, January 31, 2009

Happy to be home...

I am so happy to be home.
Happy to now be four days post surgery.
Incredibly happy that I have not needed any pain medication since Wednesday and thus far have not needed any anti-itch meds today.

Yippee!

Thank you all for the continued love and support.

Ancora Imparo
Marla

Tuesday, January 27, 2009

Reconstruction Begins...a Surgical Success!!!

Hello All,

Mike here -- and, as usual, if I'm blogging, it's to let you know how Marla's surgery went today.

In a word (a very happy one)...FANTASTIC! Here's how it all played out...

We arrived at St. Joseph's at 6am for a scheduled 10am start. Our brave girl Marla went into surgery at about 10:20am... then, at about 12:00p, Dr. B arrived at the door of the waiting room to tell me that the Expanders were in and that Marla did great! Her bleeding was relatively little and relatively normal... in fact, he didn't even need to put in drains! That is FANTASTIC news that Marla was very happy to hear when I finally got to see her in her hospital room at about 2:30pm.

As far as discomfort, Marla says it feels like an 18-wheeler ran over her chest. True, I see some new shapes there, but fortunately, no tire tread marks. We are told that the pain should get less as the days go on (with a warning that it cold be worse tomorrow). But, they are keeping her in the hospital tonight and probably tomorrow night to monitor her bleeding (or lack thereof which is better!)

It was a long, looooong day. But we made it through thanks to the love and light that you dear people continue to bathe us in.

As we continue down this road, we continue to believe that life is a gift -- a beautiful gift -- enhanced and brightened by the wonderful and positive people we meet along the way. I am the luckiest man in the world to be traveling down the road with my Marla and my Sully. And as we three continue down the road towards happy adventures yet to be experienced, I am grateful for the firm and never-ending belief that we leave cancer behind us... in the dust... at that ghost town we passed miles ago.

Ancora Imparo

Mike

Monday, January 26, 2009

Juggling...

This is something I have been writing the last several days.

I'll teach you to juggle
It's easy you see
You start with two balls
Before you master three

You juggle sans struggle
Career, Motherhood and being a Wife
Others marvel at all you do
You utter this is simply my life

A new ball appears
A bit different you see
It throws you a curve
And threatens your "me"

You continue to juggle this new ball the big "C"

There is a tightrope now beneath your feet

You hope and pray that you don't fall
You accept support and learn to call

You adapt to many changes both inside and out

You juggle a bit more and a bit less it now seems
You stop to see a rainbow, a tree, a bug with yellow wings

You've tasted true fear
Acknowledged defeat
You share when you're scared, excited and just plain beat

You approach scans and tests with apprehension it's true
You decide the "C" ball is simply not for you

You pledge to make changes to yourself and your G-d
You exercise, eat healthy and have a new found respect for your bod(y)

You feel blessed and empowered, grateful it's true
You seek beauty and truth in all that you do

You juggle again but this time you see
Greater need for balance of yourself and your Chi

The future is bright
The journey moves on
You're a survivor and undeniably strong

Ancora Imparo
Marla

Thursday, January 22, 2009

I had to share...

The following was in my inbox today. It has been posted on several blogs.
I am not sure who wrote it.
Enjoy.

Ancora Imparo
Marla



1. Take a 10-30 minute walk every day. And while you walk, smile. It is the ultimate anti-depressant.

2. Sit in silence for at least 10 minutes each day. Buy a lock if you have to.

3. Record your late night shows and get more sleep.

4. When you wake up in the morning complete the following statement, "My purpose is to____ today."

5. Live with the 3 E's -- Energy, Enthusiasm, and Empathy.

6. Watch more movies, play more games and read more books than you did in the last year.

7. Make time to practice meditation, yoga, tai chi, and prayer. They provide us with daily fuel for our busy lives.

8. Spend more time with people over the age of 70 and under the age of 6.

9. Dream more while you are awake.

10. Eat more foods that grow on trees and plants and eat less food that is manufactured in plants.

11. Drink green tea and plenty of water. Eat blueberries, wild Alaskan salmon, broccoli, almonds & walnuts.

12. Try to make at least three people smile each day.

13. Clear your clutter from your house, your car, your desk and let new and flowing energy into your life.

14. Don't waste your precious energy on gossip, energy vampires, issues of the past, negative thoughts or things you cannot control. Instead invest your energy in the positive present moment.

15. Realize that life is a school and you are here to learn.. Problems are simply part of the curriculum that appear and fade away like algebra class but the lessons you learn will last a lifetime.

16. Eat breakfast like a king, lunch like a prince and dinner like a child.

17. Smile and laugh more. It will keep the energy vampires away.

18. Life isn't fair, but it's still good.

19. Life is too short to waste time hating anyone.

20. Don't take yourself so seriously. No one else does.

21. You don't have to win every argument. Agree to disagree.

22. Make peace with your past so it won't screw up the present.

23.. Don't compare your life to others'. You have no idea what their journey is all about.

24. Burn the candles, use the nice bed sheets, Don't save it for a special occasion. Today is special.

25. No one is in charge of your happiness except you.

26. Frame every so-called disaster with these words: "In five years, will this matter?"

27. Forgive everyone for everything.

28. What other people think of you is none of your business.

29. Time heals almost everything. Give time, time.

30. However good or bad a situation is, it will change. So stop complaining about the weather, the job, the rents, etc, etc

31. Your job won't take care of you when you are sick. Your friends will. Stay in touch..

32. Get rid of anything that isn't useful, beautiful or joyful.

33. Envy is a waste of time. You already have all you need.

34. The best is yet to come.

35. No matter how you feel, get up, dress up and sh ow up..

36. Do the right thing!

37. Call your family often.

38. Each night before you go to bed complete the following statements: "I am thankful for ___." Today I accomplished ____.

39. Remember that you are too blessed to be stressed.

40. Enjoy the ride! Remember that this is not Disney World and you certainly don't want a fast pass. You only have one ride through life so make the most of it and enjoy the ride.

May your troubles be less, May your blessings be more….and more for 2009!

May nothing but happiness come through your door!

Friday, January 16, 2009

Creating a Vision...






Today I got the chance to attend a vision board workshop at weSpark. I have always wanted to create one of these since watching The Secret. It was a really neat exercise in focusing on asking for what it is that you want to attract. It was a packed house and I was really happy to see so many familiar faces. Courageous people that I have gotten the chance to know over the last nine plus months as we all continue to navigate our way down our specific paths.

I truly try to express my gratitude daily for the many blessings I have; the love and support of my husband, our beautiful son, a roof over our head, food on our table, wonderful friends and family, a resilient body and continued good health / healing.

As I began the exercise of asking myself what it is that I want and hope to manifest in 2009 I thought about my health, my beauty (inside and out [reconstruction is 11 days away]), joy, laughter, relaxation, vacation, pampering, reading, writing and career opportunities. I was also given a blank check that I made out to myself for $1,000, 000 -- paid by the universal bank.

Whatever you wish for I hope it brings you true peace and happiness.

Ancora Imparo
Marla

Sunday, January 11, 2009

Long time no blog...




I feel as if I have been on an extended vacation lately. We had the opportunity to play tourist in our own town which is always a lot of fun.

Now it is time to kick it into high gear and get back into a routine.

I am beginning to prepare for phase 1 of reconstruction (two weeks from Tuesday.) Which means upcoming doc appointments, beginning tax prep for 2008, dealing with numerous repair people and coordinating transportation for S to and from school the week of surgery and the week after - I like to have as many ducks in a row as possible.

I am also continuing to put the word out about returning to work. Seeking an opportunity to take the skills I have amassed and apply them to another facet of the industry or another industry all together. The job I seek is seeking me is a new mantra that is posted on my desk.

M and I had a wonderful date night last night.
How blessed I am to have him by my side.
He is a remarkable man who continues to make me laugh.
We just celebrated our 14th wedding anniversary.
Amazing.

While we were at dinner we had a long talk with our server.
We were talking about the business and how much it has changed...
She asked what I do and I said "I have been working on my recovery from BC."
She recognized my lymphedema sleeve and shared that her sister is a survivor.

I am continually validated by the choices I have made and have had to make on this journey and for the numerous gifts that I have received.

Ancora Imparo
Marla