Comments on One Crafty Mother: My New Normal

I come here to support you, and every time you lif...

2011-12-15T17:29:14.795-05:00

I come here to support you, and every time you lift me.

Go figure.

You have had a lot coming at you, my friend. But ...

2011-12-15T11:38:35.522-05:00

You have had a lot coming at you, my friend. But it sounds like you still get up everyday, put your feet on the floor, and brush your teeth. May you continue to find your crystal clear moments...when life bursts forth to you with a clarity heretofore never yet known. Keep a journal Ellie while you go through this. I think you will be VERY glad you did one day. Best to you and your family, wrapping you in love and light.

If you knew my family you'd know why I'm s...

2011-12-15T11:36:11.580-05:00

If you knew my family you'd know why I'm saying this but, I'd love to know what foods you're going to make an effort to eat before treatment. What are your favorites old and new, everyday and special occasion? #1 Coffee. #2?

I'll be thinking of you.

In appreciation of the mundane, oh, yes. Life, to...

2011-12-15T00:58:38.642-05:00

In appreciation of the mundane, oh, yes.

Life, tough enough as it is...without chemo and radiation thrown in.

Praying for your strength of spirit...and praying you feel our intense love for you.

There's so much collective love and healing pr...

2011-12-14T19:43:11.938-05:00

There's so much collective love and healing prayers being sent your way, Ellie. You are an amazing woman with gifts that you share with so many. May you feel the power of love and gratitude that is being returned to you.

Christine, xo

I have pondered the thought that when you get a ca...

2011-12-14T18:46:14.156-05:00

I have pondered the thought that when you get a cancer diagnosis how you add that to the part of your day. Because bills still need to get paid, laundry still gets dirty, there is just the boring GRUB part of living and then there are the stressful parts that take work and then you add, "Beat Cancer" to that list.

You are a beautiful human being, Ellie. And I love your list - that may go up on a wall here somewhere. I can't add #5 - EAT though...too many Weight Watchers points and I'm trying to fit back in my jeans.

You, however....do need to enjoy and savor your favorite foods during this time.

Hugs, love and healing prayers.

Yes, yes you CAN do this moment. {My heart is wit...

2011-12-14T15:05:07.854-05:00

Yes, yes you CAN do this moment.

{My heart is with you, Ellie}

Peace be to you. May it fill your heart, your mind...

2011-12-14T13:38:31.287-05:00

Peace be to you. May it fill your heart, your mind, your soul, and your spirit. May it be a beacon of light for you. May it become with you. I wish you peace, Ellie! I truly wish you all the peace in the world.

Alita

A new normal needs a new list. You've come up ...

2011-12-14T11:46:15.412-05:00

A new normal needs a new list. You've come up with a great one, Ellie!

RE "don't go there until you get there" - there is some real wisdom in that and it will serve as a great tool to get you through parts of the days that lie ahead.

At the same time, I hope you don't try to enforce this with sheer willpower. You are a brilliant, imaginative woman. Looking forward is part of what you do! You're going to have moments of "going there." What lies ahead is a big deal, so anticipating it some is natural, even necessary processing. Accept that as part of the now, too.

Don't "should" on yourself because it is Christmas: you "should" be happy, grateful, present ... etc. Feel all you need to feel. Yes, even the fear. Don't be afraid of the fear. Know that you don't have to get stuck in it, that you can "go there" now and then, as needed, but that you can gently pulling yourself back to other parts of your reality. Allow others to help you do that, too, to be the ones who bear the gifts of the present moment to you.

You are bound to feel some of that shitty stuff of grief during the days ahead. I wish it weren't so, but I hope you will also feel blessed and amazed, because that is altogether possible, too.

Hang in there ...

I remain so blown away by you. Thinking of you and...

2011-12-14T10:25:36.880-05:00

I remain so blown away by you. Thinking of you and sending healing and comfort. Thank you for giving me the same. xoxo

Wallow away, honey - wallow all you want! Eat eve...

2011-12-13T22:01:58.983-05:00

Wallow away, honey - wallow all you want! Eat everything - seriously!

So glad you are able to stay in the moment. Just stay. We are right here with you.

More love, more peace, more ease to you and yours...

Thinking of you and letting you know that you are ...

2011-12-13T22:00:56.172-05:00

Thinking of you and letting you know that you are being held up to the Universe's Healing Power every day as you walk this unfamiliar path.

Tell Steve that I hope that he holds up as well as...

2011-12-13T21:00:13.008-05:00

Tell Steve that I hope that he holds up as well as you are..take one large dose of courage and know that there are alot of people who are silently holding your hand thru this stage.

Ellie I am two years out from stage four tonsil c...

2011-12-13T17:04:47.479-05:00

Ellie

I am two years out from stage four tonsil cancer that spread to a lymph node. I am as of today cancer free. I did 35 days of radiation and two cycles of chemotherapy (cisplatin). I did not lose my hair, by the way, but I dont have to shave anymore on the right side of my face! I had no radiation burns, either. Treatment is hard, I wont lie. It will beat you up. But there is life after treatment. I am "near" normal again. (I am on thyroid medication, and my saliva didn't quite return so much, so I drink a lot of water... but I taste my food, I eat almost everything (except spicy food) and I am working out at the gym. Yes, eat everything you can and enjoy it all...I dropped 30 pounds in 35 days, but I have put back about 20 pounds in the two years since, and I didn't need that last 10! Learn to take life each day as it comes. You will make it. I am sending you a hug, and a prayer for strength and courage. I will read of your journey...it is a journey, and you will learn more than you can imagine. I blogged my journey with a blog called "deeper than cancer." Some of it was depressing...but I have great joy in my life again. So will you!
Steve

Sending healthy and warm thoughts to you. Beautif...

2011-12-13T14:56:02.199-05:00

Sending healthy and warm thoughts to you. Beautifully written.

This was beautiful Ellie.

2011-12-13T12:16:04.248-05:00

This was beautiful Ellie.

I cannot imagine how your reality must shift after...

2011-12-13T11:39:16.488-05:00

I cannot imagine how your reality must shift after hearing that word as a diagnosis. My thoughts are still with you as you navigate this path.

Beautiful writing.

You are doing good, and you will make it through t...

2011-12-13T11:13:29.592-05:00

You are doing good, and you will make it through this! The roller coaster is inevitable, but I can see that you are handing this with grace. I am rooting for you!

Someone told me once "Peace is not the absenc...

2011-12-13T10:49:02.464-05:00

Someone told me once "Peace is not the absence of trouble, it is the presence of Jesus". That brings me comfort - hope it does for you too.

Ellie, I think about you every day. Wish I could ...

2011-12-13T10:33:17.712-05:00

Ellie,
I think about you every day. Wish I could talk to you - you are so brilliant. Thank you for being unafraid to share. It matters.

Oh Ellie, I kept reading and shaking my head like ...

2011-12-13T10:24:51.382-05:00

Oh Ellie, I kept reading and shaking my head like "No". I so badly want this to NOT be true for you. I hope you enjoy all those treats to the fullest and you've made me cherish the laundry I will do today AND the strength to do it. Many hugs for you... one day at a time, my friend. xo

Don't go there until you get there. Words of w...

2011-12-13T10:24:04.500-05:00

Don't go there until you get there. Words of wisdom. Thinking of you!

I like the idea of don't go there until you ge...

2011-12-13T10:21:03.987-05:00

I like the idea of don't go there until you get there, very practical. I suspect the treatment will be neither as bad as you fear, nor as good as you hope. Like most things in life it will have a beginning which will be a let down because nothing seems to happen, and it will seem to last forever, and suddenly be over and we ask "what happened? how did I get through all of this?"

Somehow nature and our Higher Power give us the grace to endure and adjust, and you will have many on your journey with your.

Hugs,

Mike L

I love your #4. I have a huge problem with thinkin...

2011-12-13T10:12:37.040-05:00

I love your #4. I have a huge problem with thinking too far ahead. That should be one of your jewelry mottos. Thinking of you, Ellie :) Also, I think you should use your #5 to try some foods you were maybe scared to try before, or some fruit you've never had before.

As someone who struggles with anxiety I love your ...

2011-12-13T10:04:42.083-05:00

As someone who struggles with anxiety I love your #4 - Don't go there until you get there. Thank you for the reminder to enjoy every moment. Praying you can hold onto these moments on the hard days of treatment...and that the treatments bring you healing.