It’s (still) Aliiiiiive!

She’s a Monster

So I’m guessing you’ve all heard of the small virus going around called Ebola??  Ever since I got out of the hospital after my transplant, I’ve had to wear a mask in every public place I’ve gone to.  This includes outside.  Before the breakout happened worldwide and I had my mask on, I would get mixed looks from strangers.  Everyone wonders “why is she wearing a mask?”  But it didn’t really bother me until the Ebola scare.  Now I get looked at like I’m Frankenstein. “Why is she out of her house?  She’s going to kill everyone she comes into contact with!”  The worst are the men.  One day I had a pretty fine lookin’ gentleman walking down the same aisle as me at Target and as soon as he saw my face, he quickly turned his buggy around and went speeding the opposite direction.  My favorite is an older man that we “almost” ran into while coming out of DSW.  Rather than opening the door for my mother and I, he covered his mouth and preceded to walk away.  As soon as we made it to the car, he then walked back and entered the store.  

For whatever reason, I’m letting it bother me more now.  Few people are nosey or curious enough to ask, “why wear a mask?”  In which I basically tell them it is to protect myself from the people and germs around me due to a weakened immune system.  By the way, for anyone that sees me and is scared, this is from the CDC:  Ebola is spread through direct contact with blood and body fluids of a person already showing symptoms of Ebola.  It is not spread through the air, water, food, or mosquitoes.  So there you have it, you idiots who somehow make me feel even less of a human because of the stares while going through a challenging time.

DANCE it up!

As mentioned in my previous blog, ‘Eat it up! Eat it up! Eat it up!!’   I’ve been working diligently to figure out ways of not letting cabin fever get to me.  Finding new hobbies, putting on clothes and makeup just to do it, writing my blog, and many other things that I’m just now discovering keep me happy and sane.  One thing I love to do is to randomly send my husband videos of me dancing ridiculously.  He works long hours and is providing for this family.  That’s the least I can do, right?  Well, that’s a fun hobby too 😉  Now I would like to share with you my lovely leukemia dancing skills.  Hopefully this will bring a smile or laugh upon your face! 

The New & Improved Michele

When one gets hit with tragedy in their life, who they are as a person is destined and bound to change.  ‘Charmed Life, Meet Cancer’ is such an appropriate title to this blog.  I was just floating along in my seemingly perfect life and then BOOM.  January 20th, 2014, I’m fighting for my life.  2014 opened my eyes greatly to many things.  I am a much stronger person.  I am beautiful.  I am funny.  I am truly blessed to have such wonderful people in my life.  The other not so wonderful people that were there, I have no problem letting go.  That’s a hard lesson I’ve had to learn and it’s still one I’m sure I will struggle with – not giving people your time if they don’t deserve it.  You decide.  We’re not bound to anything or anyone.  I plan to continue growing in the right direction.  I am here for a reason.  I’m just waiting to be shown what that is exactly.  For now, I’ll just keep following my gut and his lead.  

A HUGE Thanks to all of our supporters and lovely recent visitors    

It’s popped up in several blogs how we are able to go out in public but with very specific non-negotiables the doctors have given us.  Which include the following;  we can only go to a store or restaurant when it first opens, sit and walk away from people as much as possible, mask at all times, no huge crowds, no going to other people’s houses, and too many other little things to mention.  Cabin Fever is second nature to my parents and myself now.  So I LOVE it when I have visitors come over.  It allows me to catch up, feel like people really want to see me, and we’re able to laugh about the good and bad times.  Part of the new and improved Michele is that my eyes have been opened.  Cancer has a way of either bringing people closer together, further apart, or you just realize that maybe some relationships just weren’t what you thought they were.     

I have a confession to make.  I’ve been meaning to get out hand written ‘Thank You’ cards to those who have gone above and beyond.  (As you will read in a future blog, I am rather slow now with everything.  I’ve briefly mentioned it in the past, but I’m really beginning to notice it even more so now.) Without the continued constant prayers, thoughts, donations, support, and love I truly don’t know how I would be doing mentally right now.  Those of you who have helped us during our darkest hour will have a special place in our hearts forever.  Here’s a shout out to some amazing recent visitors whom we care about greatly…