2009 - What a Blessed Year!

I can't imagine what my life would be like without having experienced the year 2009.  Breast cancer was our major hurdle this past year and one could say doctors' visits, surgeons, oncologist, decision making, surgeries and more was the theme of our lives for 2009 but I know beyond a shadow of a doubt without all those "distractions" my relationships with my family, friends and most of all God would not, COULD not be where it is now.

The blessings this year have far outweighed any negatives.  It was my son's senior year and I got to see him play his best basketball game ever against our rival school, home court, scoring the most points he's ever scored!   Amazing!  And although Dennis and I missed it due to an appointment, Chris pitched a phenomonal last high school career baseball game!  Without 2009 that could not have happened.  

Breast cancer struck, literally, in the midst of graduation time for my son.  I admit it was difficult to hold it together a few times, even breaking down at his senior mass, but the satisfaction of watching Chris graduate couldn't have been greater.  Without the events of 2009 I don't know if I would have seen the true colors as I did of my family and friends when they pulled together to put together the "bestest" graduation party for Chris.  My mastectomy was exactly 11 days prior to his party and there was NO way I could have pulled off a party without them.  First of all Den who had to juggle work, coaching, cleaning, cooking, laundry, making sure the backyard looked good for a party.  My mom and Ann who cooked and cooked and cooked chicken.  Ron and Cindy who let us use their backyard for extra space.  Steve who cut the grass the day before.  Cindy and Louise for decorations.  Billy, Steve, Marc and Johnny who were doing their best to push water with brooms and pump water out of the backyard after torrential downpours the night before.  It was a hopeless cause by the way.  Kelly driving me to Party City to pick up the balloons.  A seemingly small gesture but HUGE in my case at the time.  Pam, Erin, Ann and Kelly who decorated.  Laurie, MY LIFESAVER, who managed the whole kitchen scene and made sure the food was cooked and served on time.  Steve and Ann who came back the next day, Father's Day, to help clean up.  I mean, who does all this???


I have met some amazing women, "sisters", this year who are either breast cancer survivors, some still fighting it, and I am better for knowing them.  I haven't had to endure the treatments as some of them have and after hearing what they go through, they are my heros.  How about new friends and old friends I've caught up with through facebook?  Some have sent so many prayers our way I feel they have been on this journey with me.

My husband has a job (not an easy task these days in Michigan.)  I have two healthy boys.  A son in college who continues his education by his choice.  Transportation.  We have a roof over our heads.  A vacation to the beach again.  I met Steve Yzerman!  Was able to get the word out, with the help of Cheri (big time) the message of how important mammograms - early detection is.  I GOT NEW BOOBS!  Lol!  Yes, even though it was by means of a mastectomy, that's one of the funnest things that happened this year.  Dennis leading a men's group for the first time ever.  The freedom to worship at a place of OUR choosing.  Winning the essay contest sponsored by the Breast Cancer Site.  Being able to celebrate Christmas once again with family.  Meals provided by Dawn, Stacey, Theresa & Paul.  Shirts given and lent to me by Ann and Tracey.  Medical insurance.  Dental insurance.  Den's parents and my parents still alive and doing well.  Sister's mammogram came back clear.  And so on and so on and so on.....

I could go on about how many blessings there were in 2009, little and huge. My point is, breast cancer doesn't define 2009 for me. Oh, it was a major part of our lives but in our eyes it was a gift because it brought about too many other positive things for me to say pooey on you breast cancer.  Or pooey on 2009.  (Pooey?  I know.  But that was the first word that came to my mind so I'm stickin' with it.  Lol!)


2009 was a great year because I have grown as a child of God, learning to pray differently, learning to look for the lesson, learning to trust in Him and be grateful to Him for every situation that comes my way.  It is not always easy but I have accepted that that is the only way I am going to get to where He wants me to be.

Happy New Year!