Four More Years

Today is my four year anniversary from diagnosis. We have endured so much, our mental and physical strength have been tested. We've had three brain surgeries. We've moved three times. We've re-learned how to read, and walk, and run. We re-learned how to write and use utensils. We expanded our vocabulary. We've lost the ability to drive, then earned our way back behind the wheel. We've had adventures, completed races, tried every brain tumor diet on the planet, researched and gone to the edge of our limits. We've traveled across the country, even the world, to seek the best treatment. And through it all, I can't help but enjoy every moment (even the tough times). The longer I'm alive, the more grateful I am. It's exponential. I've heard new parents say that they couldn't even anticipate how much they love their new child, and that's how I feel about life. Every day my heart swells with gratitude. I love it here. I love my life. 

This weekend Danny surprised me with several fun things. My favorite was a cat video festival. I laughed so hard that I cried. For about an hour. Anything that can make you cry in joy is a great thing. 

Of course we got out to celebrate our muscles, and legs, and strength, and crazy ability to overcome the effects from the first brain surgery. I can't believe that they told me I probably wouldn't jog/run again. Fooled you guys. Ha!

Dan surprised me by setting up our patio stuff so that I could read my book in our triangle park. I can't believe that spot used to be dirt. You can see Emma's outline under the umbrella toward the back of the trough garden. She's a big fan (left side).

You guys, I'm so happy to be here. I'm so happy to wipe the crusties out of my eyes each morning. I'm so happy to do my chores, to try a new recipe, to have the fortune to run and jump into Dan's arms, and call my parents just to say "hi". Thank you for joining me on this journey. There are lots of statistics out there, but I remember reading one in my first year out. It said that a person my age, with my type of tumor, had a life expectancy of 4.5 years. Statistics used to really scare me. I didn't know what to expect, how quickly I could deteriorate. Now, I know that life isn't about statistics, or where you fall on a bell curve. Life is about how you feel, and how much joy you experience in each moment. It's about throwing numbers, and expectations, out the window, and just going for it.