Quote of the month

Have enough courage to trust love one more time. And always one more time. 

Maya Angelou

At the fair with Esther

On Sunday we went to a pumpkin farm/corn maze in the burbs. It was loads of fun and Eliana had a blast.

More pictures and entries later. We have been very very busy!

Eliana with NONA

My favorite picture of them

Eliana the music muse

As you may all know by now, Eli regularly goes to physical therapy and is a bit developmentally delayed in certain gross motor skills. The therapists and psychologists, however, believe that she is musically talented beyond her years.

Eliana the music muse

As you may all know by now, Eli regularly goes to physical therapy and is a bit developmentally delayed in certain gross motor skills. The therapists and psychologists, however, believe that she is musically talented beyond her years.

From Cancer Patient to Cancer Survivor

Almost a year has passed by since I was diagnosed with stage 2 renal cancer and what a difference a year makes.
I feel as if I have gone through a Kafka- like metamorphosis. The person I once was no longer exists and I am now someone completely different- older, wiser. I lost the innocence of living a care-free life. No one other a fellow cancer patient or survivor can understand.
Yesterday I heard what I thought I wanted to hear: "as of today, there appears to no longer be any cancer cells in your body." I thought I would be jumping for joy or even crying, but I didn't. I thanked my doctors and nurses and made my following appointment. I will forever be a cancer patient in one form or another. I still have two more procedures left, scans every three months, etc. But it is not the physical routine that will define me as a cancer patient, it's the psychological footprint this experience left me with.

I wanted to take this time to thank my cancer "team" as I fondly named them.

Thank you Sylvester Cancer Center in Miami, Florida. Doctors M, P, T, and and A; nurses A,S, G, and countless others who joked and cheered throughout this ordeal.
My WAshigton DC team: NIH, Georgetown Cancer center, Washington urology Surgeons, Doctors: S,T,B, and M. Nurses: D,A,S and E. Amazing surgeons amazing urologist.
Last, but not least: my friends and family. Without you I would be nothing. Thank yiu for all the prayers: My parents, aunts, uncles, cousins, and siblins. Having a huge family is amazing! Never felt alone for a second. Love you. Thank you for holding my hair when I threw up after treatment, for spoon feeding me when I was too weak to feed myself, for holding my hand as my hair was buzzed, for getting me out of the house when I was too depressed, for cheering me up with makeup distractions or fashion talk.. For just being there when I needed you.
Thank you- parents, siblings, J: love you for being there for me and sticking by me and being my rock; D: for supporting me and being my friend; Y, K, K, N, and j for always making time for me and cheering me up when I was at my lowest. Will never ever forget it.
Thank you M, l, D, and T: for helping me with Eli and being so kind and flexible. One less thing for me to worry about. Tia A and A for all the prayers and vigils.
I am sure I will continue to reflect on this for hours, days, weeks, and months.
Until then- I am off to the beach. I

Interesting Afternoon

Today I went to hear Blake Mycoskie Speak about his TOM company and his new book "Something that Matters."
I found his talk to be so interesting. I am so impressed with young people engaged, interested in what is going on in the world, and actually doing something about it. So refreshing to meet people that are interested in more than just partying, drinking, and acting immature. In other words, I LOVED HIM.

I thought this excerpt of his book was wonderful:

SUCCESS

To laugh often and love much
to win the respect of intelligent people
and the affection of children

To earn the appreciation of honest critics
endure the betrayal of false friends

To appreciate beauty
To find the best in others
To leave the world a bit better
whether by a healthy child,
a garden patch, or a redeemed social condition

To know even one life has breathed easier
because you have lived.

I found the above poem to be so inspirational. His talk was very inspiring.

Hope everyone is having a good week. Tomorrow I am going to to celebrate my friend's last cancer treatment and her cancer free diagnosis. I hope to be celebrating a cancer free diagnosis soon.. bring out the bubbly and a pair of louboutins!

Eliana's first hiking trip

Check out my ride!

NY BOUND!

Eli and are are NY bound. Sucks that it is pouring out and I have to drag our gear in the rain, but we are excited for our new adventure.

My partner in crime and I are ready for our new adventure. I hope to post pictures, but we may have to wait for a less rainy day.
I have been feeling ok- this past weekend I felt very very tired and I struggled to get out of bed. I had too much to do so I forced myself out of bed.
Doctors appointments next week. HUGE doctors appointment next week.. I find out if all is well or all is not so good.
Have a wonderful day everyone and come visit us soon!

keeping busy keeping sane

I promise I will post better and longer posts in the near future, but we have been very busy!
Birthday week was great. Can't complain one little bit.33 never looked so good
My brother and sister surprised me with a birthday dinner and cake. I had no idea so it was a sweet surprise.

My sweetheart surprised me with flowers, a beautiful gift and a yummy dinner. My bff- brother from another mother, Kel took me to a lovely lunch and we had a lovely time.

My dear friend Yona took me to a lovely brunch and we had mimosas and it was the perfect brunch before going to the doctor to get my scans/MRI. She is the best. I love her and I am so happy that she is in my life. xox.
I had a fantastic Interview with a dream job this week. It went well and I am a finalist. If it works out it will be the silver lining and an end of a very turbulent year.
I also reconnected with a dear friend from college, N. We were BFFs in college and this week we picked up where we left off.. So nice so sweet! She is thinking of moving back to the east coast! Whether it is NY or DC I am sure I will be seeing a lot of her.

We are busy packing and NYC next week. Nervous and excited.

Have a lovely day everyone!

Ps
No more medication for me. Out of my system! I am finally starting to feel like my old optimistic self again. Only one year of crazy and depression lol
I am full of love and optimism today. Not sure why, but I am happy for the first time in a long, long time.