Day 1
First things first – remind me to make better summer vacation plans next year! Julie, you’re in charge of that beach house 
Now, onto why we’re here – the bizarre, symptom-free cancer that has been in my body for 5 months. Regardless of what got me here, I am here now and at last on a path to recovering from this. I can’t even believe that half of you will come to this page to read about my story, but for those who do I want to highlight that there are numerous opportunities to find humor, love and even peace throughout this process. There are also plenty of opportunities to cry and be mad but they don’t really serve a purpose. They won’t offer answers that make sense and they won’t make the cancer go away. I can’t change what happened, I can only move through this journey with as much strength as I can find and look for as many moments as possible that make me laugh. Afterall, laughter is the best medicine.
So rather than give you the gory details of Day 1, I’m leaving you with the top 5 positive things I can say about this experience … so far:
1. I have been overwhelmed by the amount of love and support I have received from friends and family. With this team behind me, it makes it easy to get up everyday and fight. I can honestly say that I feel like one of the luckiest people in the world – my beautiful, healthy children; my loving family and my amazing friends. These are gifts that will last forever, long after this hiccup has passed.
2. I’m facing one of my greatest fears – and surviving. I’ve always had a fear of doing things for fear of getting hurt or sick or dying. They always say fears like this are really a fear of living. It is a gift to be able to face this fear early enough that I will make everyday forward a day of living fully.
3. I’ll be the only one who doesn’t need a wax during bathing suit season (what, too graphic?)
4. I’ve gotten to see a pretty impressive side of my husband. He’s not so bad afterall.
5. A lot of people have already joined the bone marrow registry which means that my bump in the road may save one or more lives in the future. Thank you to everyone who joined!
I started a page called “The Funniest Thing.” Check it out and make me laugh.
I just wanted to see how comments work. Also, is that your actual handwriting, Jess? That’s pretty cool…these are the important things that pass through my stream of consciousness. They don’t seem as profound as yours…won’t stop me from posting them.
Oh no–it says, “Your comment is awaiting moderation.” Are there limits to what I can say here? How moderate do they need to be?
I changed the comment settings Robyn, you can say whatever you want and I know I can rely on you to do just that!
Hi jess!!!!! I am so excited to follow ur blog. Thank u for letting us into ur life. You are so insipring. Now on with my joke…… What did one tampon say to the other tampon? Nothing… They are both suck up c@&$!ts. That’s all for now :p
Jess, your strength and positive attitude are so amazing and inspiring!!! You Rock!! I dig the blog.
A joke for ya:
Did you here about the Polish Gynecologist that used two fingers?
He wanted a second opinion!
Jess – I am already inspired by your positive outlook and words of advice from your end – aren’t you supposed to be on the receiving end of that??? Amazing!! You truly are an inspiration… I have thought for a long time that I was sorry to lose touch with you girls over at Free State b/c you all seemed like extraordinary gals – this all shows that wasn’t just a thought. I hope to join your Superteam of supporters and can’t wait to see you on the other side of this. This is an amazing idea, to start this blog, not only for us wondering about how you are doing but to keep your thoughts in order and to remind you every day of your goals and visions. Funny that you posted the Secret b/c I was going to send you the video/book to help remind you to keep positive aspirations in sight and to visualize yourself where you will be after this ordeal is complete – healthy and an inspiration to us all! See, kindred spirits think alike!
Looking forward to following your journey and sending my cyber support! XOXO
PS – So funny too, b/c I was thinking of sending you the thought that you wouldn’t need to shave during the summer season now too, but didn’t know if that would be appropriate… We really will need to go out for a drink after all this is thru for you, didn’t realize we had the same sense of humor and outlook on lots of things.
And, I did want to let you know as well that I had registered a few weeks ago for another bone marrow center called The Gift of Life, inspired by another similar story – weird how things come into your life that way – and I am getting ready to send my swab in for them. I think that it all goes into the same donation “bank” though?? I hope so, but if you have different info and I should also donate thru the Be the Match registry please let me know! 
OK, I think I am done all my rambling for now (today at least!)
OK, I was almost done… I guess we should have been in touch more recently, I have lots to say!
Anyway, check out this site: http://www.PositiveAtmosphere.com
I follow this on Facebook, but since you can’t access FB so well right now, maybe you could just go directly to the site… They always have uplifting things to say. Let me know what you think!!
Your blog is pretty.
It’s also set to Pacific time for the comments’ time stamp.
Hi Jess,
I love your blog! I can’t wait to read your book—I can imagine that after this process and with these funny and inspiring comments from your friends, you will have plenty of material!
I would recommend reading Louise Hay’s “You Can Heal Your Life” and Cheryl Richardson’s “The Art of Extreme Self Care”—-they are both very good. I don’t have a copy to give you, but I can pick one up from the library if you would like.
I will give you a call tomorrow to see if you would like me to come and do a Reiki treatment soon.
Ty seemed like he had a fun time today at the FSMS picnic. Maya is so sad that school is out for the summer—she doesn’t want it to end. Brooke, on the other hand, said “Tomorrow, I am not doing anything. I am sleeping in and then I am playing!” Amazing how two children raised by the same parents can be so different!
Much love to you!
Gina
Gina, I would love those books. Robyn is bringing me something from the library that she is downloading books onto – maybe she could add those. If you wouldn’t mind emailing her the titles she could look for them. Thanks!!! Oh, and yes to Reiki!
Hi Jessica:
I think of you frequently each day, and am glad for this blog as it helps me to know how you are, without having to complicate your process of moving through, and then out of this illness. We love you.
Renee
it’s official: you are my hero.