I love my veins. It may seem strange to say, but I am having a love affair with my veins.

Until two years ago, I took them for granted. They were just one of the many parts of my body that when working, give me life.

As I prepared to go through chemo their importance was spotlighted. It was my choice,along with my doctor's and nurse's okay, that I would receive chemotherapy through my veins. I preferred this over the option of having a port put in my body or receive the treatments via other means.

In the beginning, my veins were fairly easy to access and thread. However as the treatments, tests and labs continued it became more and more difficult to find a "cooperative" vein. I don't blame them; being filled with poison (chemo) or testing dyes, plus having blood drawn was quite a change from years of doing their job undisturbed. I am thrilled that my veins survived the challenges of so many needles.

Today I had to have blood drawn for more tests. The nurse was able to get a vein in the first try, not a common or easy feat these days. I was happy. I am so delighted they worked without multiple sticks (once it took 8 trys before they got one to work). Even the most talented phlebotonist has had trouble in the past.

I love my veins. They have been a vehicle that led to discovery, provided chemo to kill cancer and are giving me life filled with hope.

Tonight is the Academy Awards and Oscars will be given out. My favorite movies are Goodwill Hunting, Shirley Valentine, Working Girl, Murphy's Romance and Straight Talk. Each of them has a common thread; a willingness to revise their plan, take risks, and have the courage to be themselves.

In general I enjoy comedys, action flixs, romantic comedys and suspense. I steer away from violent movies and Sci Fi.

I enjoy going to the movies, the big screen, popcorn, the whole experience. Maybe if I had one of the new hi definition TVs I would enjoy them at home more. For me it is great to go to the opening weekend of a movie. I like to order a kid's pack (small diet coke and popcorn) and sprinkle the M&Ms I have smuggled in on top.

As for the movies nominated this year I have seen and enjoy: The Kings Speech, The Fighter and The Social Network.

A farmer's donkey fell into a deep dry well, and as the animal cried for hours the farmer tried to figure out a way to get him out. Finally, he decided it was impossible, so the farmer asked his neighbors to come over and help him cover up the well. They all grabbed shovels and began to shovel dirt into the well. At first, when the donkey realized what was happening he cried horribly. Then, to everyone's
amazement, he quieted down and let out happy brays. A few shovel loads later, the farmer looked down the well to see what was happening and was astonished at what he saw. With every shovel of dirt that hit his back, the donkey was shaking it off and making a step up. As the farmer's neighbors continued to shovel dirt on top of the animal, he continued to shake it off and make a step. Pretty soon to everyone's amazement, the donkey stepped up over the edge of the well and trotted off! Life is going to shovel dirt on you, but the trick is to always shake it off and take a step up.

What happens to you isn't nearly as important as how you react to it.

Dr. Jo Blessing tells the story of a chance meeting between two strangers. An older woman had been sitting on a park bench, despondent and lonely. A young man sat down next to her. The two of then fed the pigeons together for a few minutes. Finally the young man got up, turned to the woman and thanked her for such a nice time. This seemingly small kindness restored the woman's faith in life. The young man never knew that he had been the answer to her prayers.

On any given day, without really realizing it, you may be the answer to someone's prayers. Never forget that your kindness, thoughtfulness, smile and love can work wonders in the lives of others.

I have missed blogging. During the last many months I have been trying to find direction in my life only to be like the toy cars I used to give to my sons at Christmas. You know the ones, they hit a wall and flip over and go in another direction until they hit another wall and flip over again.

It was a surprise to me that someone special in my life had mentioned several times over the last months that they had missed that I was no longer posting on my blog. It was nice to think that someone was reading my ramblings and noticed that they had stopped.

I have enjoyed returning to posting and today received this e-mail "Glad to see you're back to your blog." It made me smile. I hadn't made any announcement that I was blogging again. He had continued to check and discovered it and taken time out of his busy schedule to welcome me back. I'm smiling. It is a great start to my day.

Never underestimate that small acts of kindness can make a huge difference. I hope everyone, anyone, reading this will be reminded to take the time today to share a smile, say thank you to someone, just be nice. It will matter, you may never know how much, but it will matter.

"You don't have to cross the finish line first to be a winner."
Osteman

"Blessed are the flexible...for they shall not be bent out of shape."
Suzy Toronto

Life throws us challenges and creates detours. Plan A is always my first choice. You know, the one where everything works out to be the way you envisioned. But more often than not, I find myself dealing with the upside down, inside out version. My path doesn't always lead me where I expected. Sometimes it is because of choices I've made and sometimes it is because of circumstances out of my control or totally unexpected.

It's at these moments that the real test of my character comes into play. Do I sink or do I swim? Do I wallow in self-pity and play the victim or shift gears? Or do I shift gears?

I have learned that in life the only thing in my life that I can control is my attitude. It is up to me how I adapt. I am happiest when I choose to be flexible and make the best of the situation. Life is all about how you hand Plan B.

I have learned that Plan B can lead you on a journed that is a fantastic life.

Two years ago today I was diagnosed with Cancer. I am filled with grateful appreciation for each day I have experienced. I look forward with hope for tomorrows.

If nurse practitioner, Donna Wilkinson, had stopped investigating when my pap smear came back normal, I might not have had these two years. Thankfully, she insisted on an ultrasound that led me to ultimately having a biopsy and the doctors determining that I had cancer. The entire team at Absolute Health & Wellness including Dr. Jennifer Gilby and Dr. Beth Diner were awesome. It was their suggestion that I should see Dr. Kirby about my options. I will always consider them my earth bound guardian angels.

Dr. Kirby has been fantastic. Not only is he very knowledgeable and a talented surgeon, he is also candid and that is important to me.

When I look in my rearview mirror I know I am blessed. I have survived surgeries, chemo and a Baskin Robbins of assorted side effects. It is true that cancer takes a toll on your mind, body and spirit.

I will be forever grateful to the many people who stayed in contact with me and gave me encouragement and support. To take time out of their own busy lives is a priceless gift.

It was my choice to keep my cancer mostly private. Now I am sharing my experience and with the coaxing of my doctors writing a book, "My Ta-Tas were fine. I had cancer down there." It is wonderful that Breast Cancer has finally gotten attention. It is our goal to broaden the spotlight to include the other cancers. For example, very little is written about Endrometrial Cancer.

If my doctors feel my experiences will be helpful, I feel the tips and experiences of others will enhance the value of my book. It has been a wonderful gift to interview others and learn from them. It is totally true that each cancer experience is totally different. Everyone's circumstances, and bodies are unique.

Two years ago, it was impossible to envision that I would be sitting here enjoying the beautiful warm Florida sunshine two years after hearing the diagnosis, "Judy I am sorry to tell you that you have Cancer." Thank you to everyone. Thank you God.