Beauty...

What a beautiful day it is today! I absolutely love days like this. The sky is so blue, the sun is shining (that's why I slathered on the sunscreen) and the birds are singing. I spent this morning outside reading and then went for a little walk around the block. (I am reading Crazy, Sexy cancer tips by Kriss Carr and it's a fabulous book) I am still taking it easy and not pushing myself too much. It's so nice to be able to get out and enjoy the day though. My pain has been really well controlled and I am slowing weaning off the pain meds. This has given me a lot of time to think about what I want and need in my life. Amazing how some quiet time opens up these thoughts. After learning so much about myself at the retreat I really want to dig deeper and keep this peacefullness that I now feel. I am looking into taking a yoga class and diving into the world of meditation. I intend on living every day to its fullest.

My sisters, my mom and I went to an information night last week at Cancer Care for Melanoma patients and their families. It was awesome! Not only did I get to catch up with my fellow melanoma warriors and their cheering squads but we were presented with the new treatments and trials for melanoma. Our medical team was there and we we were able to ask any of them questions and hear everything new that has been happening in the world of melanoma. The most exciting news is that they have come out with a new drug for Stage IV melanoma. There has never been a drug available for patients at this stage. The clinical trials are starting ASAP and are available in Winnipeg. It is such a relief to know that there is something out there that has already been proven to work. What I mean by "work" is it is giving us more time and maybe enough time to find a cure!? Now, yes I am stage IV but I have no evidence of disease right now so I'm not sure if this is an option for me but it is so good to know that they are spending lots of time and money researching this cancer. My case has been a little bit different from the beginning. We have thankfully been able to remove any tumour and potential tumours that have shown up. Yayyyyyyy!!! The statistics that are out there are mindblowing! More and more people are being affected by this cancer and at every age. This is why I am so passionate about people protecting themselves from the sun. This disease can be devastating and it can also be preventable (one of the few cancers that can). Everything that we can do to prevent this we should be doing. Genetics and history also play a huge part in who gets this disease but shouldn't we be doing everything we can to protect ourselves and our children.

There was also another huge event going on this same night - my cousin Earl's fundraising event. He is also fighting against cancer and I must say is kicking ass!! (Oh and by the way I have been told that when you have cancer you can use whatever profanities you want when describing it) All the guys in the family went to his night and had a great time and lots of laughs! It was really too bad that they were held on the same night but what can you do. We decided to divide and conquor! Keep fighting Earl! You rock!!!

I am finding that the best way to win this fight is by surrounding myself with positive, true people who want me to win this as much as I do. I am thankful for all of you and I know that I couldn't do it without you.