Sunshine and Palm Trees!

This past weekend I went home to Miami and it was just what I needed. I have been in NH for about three months now and was longing for a weekend home to see my friends, visit my friends at work and relax. It finally came last weeked and it was a blessing. I was there from Saturday-Tuesday and it was just what the doctor ordered. Dr Jessica that is.

I flew out Saturday night, but not till after I spent much of the afternoon drinking my juice….. which was a prerequisite to going along with finding a way to still have my juices while I was there. Fortunately for me I have amazing friends with some amazing connections and they arranged for someone to make me my juices.

I landed around 10pm and could feel the warmth (and humidity) as soon as I stepped off the plane and I was loving it. I imagine I was like a kid on Christmas morning with a huge grin on my face.

The next few days seemed to just fly by….days filled with sunshine, friends and lots of salads. Although I was in Miami that did not change the fact that I still needed to drink my juice and eat only fruits and veggies.  I attended the HEAT vs Magic game on Sunday which gave me a chance to catch up with so many friends and a BIG win made it that much better. Someone said they “won for me” and I was pretty happy about that. During the time I was there I was also working on trying to secure a new temporary home for my doggy Chewie and in the 11th hour before I drove to Orlando to get him a solution presented itself and I am so thankful.

I got a chance to see my apartment and all the work that my dad and best friend had done while I have been away and although it still needs work it looks great! I have some work to do when I return but they set me up for success. It felt great to sleep in my own bed too.

Monday was a day for rest and relaxation once I realized I didn’t have to drive to Orlando. I spent my morning at the pool soaking in as much sunshine as I could. After the pool I went to the gym for my first workout since my surgery in December. It was only 30 minutes on the elliptical but it was a great start and it felt great too. Monday night my bff arranged a dinner with some of my favs at the Daily Restaurant. It was lots of laughter and fun over one of the best salads in Miami. We actually shut the place down which wasn’t hard since they closed at 9pm, at which time we moved our party to the parking lot.

Tuesday morning I went to the office to visit my boss and the rest of my co-workers. I spent about two hours there making my rounds to see everyone. I of course didn’t want to take up too much time because it was a very busy day for them. It was a great feeling to be there and see everyone. It may sound crazy to some people but I miss the office and all the chaos that comes with it.

When I got home Tuesday afternoon the reality set in that I would soon be getting on a plane to go back to NH for the last month of my treatment and I got very sad. It had been an amazing 4 days filling my heart and soul with such a feeling of happiness and it was too short. I just kept telling myself 1 month is nothing, I’ve already done 3.

I came back to New England to rain and 30 degree temps, welcome home haha. I guess I was lucky it wasn’t snowing so I will take the rain.

Now I am back here, and it’s back to work and back to reality. Spending my days at the Sante Center getting my treatments and getting myself strong enough to go home and get back to work and the life I love. It’s back to working on ways to cover the costs which are no more expensive then chemo with the exception that insurance doesn’t cover these treatments.

My trip to Miami may have only been 4 days but it was enough to recharge and rejuvenate me and get me back to the positive place that I need to be in to make it through this next month. It was just enough time in the city I love around the people I have grown to call family to put me back in great spirits again and ready to give my all to beat this disease.  It’s been a long journey but fortunately it is almost done and I can close the book on this chapter in my life and get on with LIVING again.

Breast Cancer is an awful disease, it fills you with so many ups and downs and emotions you can’t really describe. One thing I know for sure is that it  doesn’t discriminate and when it hits you it hits you hard. Through this journey though I have learned alot both about myself and the people in my life and for that I will be forever greatful. It has allowed me to form friendships with people I wouldn’t otherwise know, inspire people to make changes in their lives for the better, and strengthen bonds between me and my friends who stepped up when I needed them most. The silver lining to every situation!

I’m not entirely sure what turns this journey will take over the next month but I know that I didn’t make it this far to give up hope so I will keep pushing along and believing that every day it gets a little bit better.

xoxo my BC Warriors!