Saturday, July 15, 2006

My Journey So Far

has been amazing. I have been touched in so many wonderful ways and also some not so wonderful ways.

* kindness from people I have never even met in real life

* friends spoiling me with wonderful and practical gifts (I'm a practical kind of girl)

* emails from all over the world supporting me on my journey

* new friends

* family

* Jason's step mum cooking all week to help put some meals in my freezer for when we really need them

* neighbours offering to help with the girls when I need it after the operation

*friends who really shouldn't open their mouth when they can't say the right thing (and yes my husband will still love me when I am ugly and deformed!!!!!!!!!!!!!)

* my MIL ordering firewood so we don't have to spend time in the forest cutting wood over the next few weeks to keep the house warm

*gorgeous pj's from Trish, AM and Raylene

* friends and family offering to take me to and from radiation to help save on the fuel costs

* scrapbooking- what a wonderful hobby, what a wonderful lifestyle. The gorgeous network of friends far and wide that have given me a shoulder to lean on and such wonderful support

* support from friends who have already travelled this journey, their advice is invaluable

* Prima flowers from the lovely Annette at http://stores.ebay.com.au/The-Scrapbook-Establishment_W0QQssPageNameZstrkQ3amefsQ3
amesstQQtZkm

* friends that have taken a step back because my journey is too painful for them to deal with.

* my Mum sending me some money to ease the finacial strain (Mum it's tucked away for later)

*my regular cashier in Aldi offering to help in any way (funnily enough free groceries for a year was out of the question lol)

*the girls from the Kupboard, http://www.karensscrappin.com.au/ spoiling me with lovely chocolates, wine, lipbalm and an gorgeous journal

*my wonderful online sisters at Piles Of Scrap ( I would be lost without these girls)

* my wonderful workmates even though I have only worked with some of them for 3 months

*people avoiding me


and lastly to say that cancer has opened my eyes. Now don't get me wrong, I have always loved and appreciated both my husband, Jason and my girls, Kady and Leah and the wonderful life we share together BUT cancer has opened my eyes to so much more.

-how green the grass is at this time of year
-the joy of a hug
-the smell of the rain last night whilst I lay in bed
-my cat purring
-a clear blue sky
-joy in all the little things
-my love of country music and how comforting it is
- a strength within that I never knew existed
- laughter and how it can get you through anything
- the power of prayer
-good times spent with close friends
- a first birthday party and how cute a one year old party girl is
-phonecalls when you really need them
-a card in the mail that touches your heart
-email and the internet (not sure what I would do without it)
-the joy of living ( you really don't know how much it means until you are faced with the fact it could be taken away from you)
-fresh flowers
-scrapbooking (great therapy)
-hope


and lastly the fact that I will fight this thing with every ounce of strength and courage I have.

The chorus in the song below by Sara Storer really touched me. When faced with something like cancer your entire view of life really changes and as Sara says Important things before, don't seem to matter anymore. Nothing could be more true. Things I once considered to be so important really don't matter anymore in the grand scheme of things.


Important Things
(Sara Storer)
Caught up in these changing times
True happiness is hard to find
The world is so unkind
There's no safey for a heart like mine
Everybody's out to get what they can from you.
Important things before
don't seem to matter anymore
We fight our way on through
Now everything is turning blue
No body's looking out for you
People only want to do what they want to do
Important things before
Don't seem to matter anymore
We fight our way on through
All done you sit behind closed doors
You treat the symptoms but not the cause
Doens't anybody really want to find a cure
People now they'll say what is right for me
It's my own truth so let it be
Oh but wouldn't it be easier with a common view
Important things before
They need to matter even more
I believe that's true
Do you?

13 comments:

Anonymous said...

If your courage is anything to judge by, you will win this with flying colours. How wonderful to appreciate the little things. You have inspired me to look at my life a little differently today. Thankyou

Anonymous said...

Dawn................I have been catching up on blog surfing today after not having my computer for the past 10 days.Sorry to hear about your cancer......take care girl......sending positive thoughts your way!

Lyn

Anonymous said...

your words put tears to my eyes,you are a battler with a lot courage we are all here to help you through this in anyway we can LOVE DAD

lusi said...

Dawn,
THANK YOU
THANK YOU
THANK YOU
Your words tonight have inspired and uplifted me. Your strength, courage, passion and positivity leap off the screen. I have tears. I have a smile. You have reminded me to appreciate the small things too. I am off to give my treasures a second kiss goodnight.
Will keep up my prayers for you.
Love and hugs to you and your precious family.
Lus x

Trish said...

You are such a strong person Dawn and I guess over the coming weeks you not believe this but you are and remember Iam here for you :)
Hugs

Anonymous said...

How nice to read all the comments.
I am feeling very teary at the momment, such nice people out there.
We are always here for you you know that, and you are such a strong person, I know you will get through this.
I love you so much my strong Beautiful Dawn.
xxx

Roz said...

Hi Dawn, I have only just found your blog, after hearing about your cancer. I was so saddened to hear that, and I am truly sorry that you have to go through all of this.

Just reading your blog has shown what an amazing person you are- full of hope, strength, optimisim, courage, love, kindness and understanding, and you are to be admired.

I wish you all the best on your journey, and will have you in my prayers.

jilly said...

Dawn,
I have just come across your blog too - isn't it amazing how things just happen? You must be such an amazing woman. And yes I am inspired by you too. If there is strength in numbers, my word, this cancer ain't got a chance! It is at these times that "sisterhood" is at its finest and there are "warm and fuzzies" plus loads of strength coming at you from up here too - we've got plenty to share and its all yours now!
Thank you.

Anonymous said...

Dawn, your account here is so personal and heartwarming. I wish you well during this journey of your life. I also believe that it is out of adversity that great things can happen, so for now, you have to endure the adversity, but I believe that many blessings will follow in ways you wouldn't have thought of.

judee d said...

Hi Dawn,
You must keep positive, and as I have said before take the strength from all your friends. They are the one's who will not mind. Forget the one's who have negative thoughts for you do not need them, throw them away and revisit them when YOU are ready. Don't worry what other people say, You are the one who has to take care of number 1. and believe it or not that is you.

My love to you and your family and keep on smiling and life will smile with you.
Love Judee

Nicole said...

Dawn, you are an inspiration to other woman out there. Your courage and positive attitude towards this will fight away this cancer. I am sitting here reading your comments on your blog and am in tears. It just shows that you have so much support behind you, you have allour support behind you, i just wish i knew what to say..... Please know that im thinking of you...

Anonymous said...

we are stuck in the uk i wish we could be of more help dawn we all send our love and prayers to you and think of you many kisses from us all mick deb michelle, and kery anne xxxx

Anonymous said...

Thank you to everyone out there in the world who have sent their best wishes and love to my beautiful Daughter Dawn.
Dawn is a very special lady, always has been, and always will be.
Always thinking of others, and ready to help any one.
It is times like this that you know who your friends are.
One person who was rude to dawn about her illness, you know who you are, I truly hope that you will never have to go through what dawn has been through the past few weeks, and if you ever do go through it I hope and pray that you dont have to face it on your own.
Dawn has a loving family that care about her, and good friends that love her like we do,thank god for that.
Dawn will never be on her own, or alone, she will always have us, and her lovely husband Jason, and their 2 girls.