Bloodclots Can’t Block Your Passion

They say if you get through cancer successfully, you’ll come through changed-better, more fulfilled, more whole.  You’ll go through a metamorphosis.  You’ll look deep into your soul, connect with your energy and spirit and pull together the  strongest version of yourself ever to exist.  You won’t just become a butterfly, you’ll become a bionic butterfly, or a real-life super hero-someone who is forever brave in the face of adversity and fierce with passionate power.

I think my metamorphosis began last winter when I was diagnosed with a blood clot caused by my chemo port.  My arm had swelled up to the point that I looked like I had been attacked by the Pillsbury Dough Boy!  I rushed to the doctor and after a long, scary day of grueling tests, they confirmed that I did indeed have a blood clot.  I would need to be on blood thinner medication until the end of the summer which meant pretty much no healthy vegetables (a low-blow for this veggie-lovin cancer patient trying to stay healthy).

For the first time, I started really feeling down and deflated.  I kept thinking Why me?  Why do I keep having all these set-backs.  I have cancer, I can’t work, and now I have a scary blood clot.  I was angry, sad, and ruining my birthday.  Then my cousin gave me some of the best advice I’d ever received.  He said “Shana, you are fighting this cancer with so much power and strength.  Everyone is in awe of you.  A lot of people would just shut down, but not you.  You got up, saw what you had to do, and are fighting.  You are kicking cancer’s butt.  You have an amazing fierceness and passion.  Once you get through this, you will be truly unstoppable.”

I stopped and tried to think about what he was saying.  I was flattered that people were in awe of me.  I was just living and getting through the only way I knew how.  But it wasn’t until that moment that I realized how special and rare my gift of strength really was.  And I was glad I had it.  As I took some deep breaths and began to calm down, I tried to let my sadness and frustration go.  I knew my question of “Why me?” wouldn’t be answered that night but just maybe “how me?” would.

How do I get through this?  With passion, love, and strength.

Let’s toast Living with Passion!

I’d love to hear from you.  How do you toast Living with Passion?

admin

HI! I’m a Shana, self-proclaimed Media Mixologist, wife, and mom to two little girls. I love to mix up cocktails of crafts, recipes, wellness, family and business with just the right amount of sparkle to help you shine everyday. So, grab a glass, and let’s celebrate the cocktail of life!