Life goes on

Today is my 35^th birthday. I think back at the last year of my life and realize what a different person I am from the women I was a year ago. Yes, this past year has been rough. During the past 12 months I underwent 6 surgeries, 10 chemotherapy treatments, the loss of all my hair and the loss of both my breasts. To top it all off my younger sister went through the same thing. I know that I have not yet processed all that has happened, but I am certain that I will in time. Despite these trials and losses, I am grateful to breast cancer. It made me see the wonderful things in my life clearly for the first time. Before cancer, I felt like I was lost at sea. I had a loving husband, a great career, a healthy baby boy and good friends. However, I did not truly appreciate these things. I took them for granted. Getting cancer makes you realize that you cannot waste another minute of time taking things for granted….because you might not have that many more minutes. I feel like I was given a second chance in life, and I do not plan to waste it. Now I relish the moments I get to spend with my husband and 2 year old son. I soak them in and try to imprint them in my memory forever. Now I practice law, not for the status or money, but because I truly love helping my clients develop their entrepreneurial ideas into growing businesses. Now when I am lucky enough to spend time with friends, I truly appreciate the kindness and generosity of all those friends who have helped sustain me during this last year. And when I have extra time, I spend it trying to help other young breast cancer survivors through the same trials and losses. I tell my story so publicly because I hope that it will make each and everyone one of you pause for a moment and give thanks for all the wonderful things in your life and to promise yourself that you will never take those things for granted. So I am thankful for the last year of my life, and today on my 35^th birthday I reaffirm my pledge to make every moment count!