I can't believe it's been almost a month since I last updated my blog. I posted a few things on Instagram in the last few weeks, because it is much easier to shoot a picture and post it with my phone, but the truth is that I wasn't in much of a mood to do any social media after the surgery. I wonder if I was going through a mini depression of sorts. The first couple of weeks after I came home, I stayed in bed most of my time and either slept, read, or watched TV; which is very unusual for me. Usually I already have a hand stitch project ready by my bed and I would have been working on that. When I delivered my second son through c-section, I was doing applique in my hospital bed by day 2. This time, I really didn't have much desire to do that. When I thought I was getting better, I got an infection. With that, my recovery was set back a couple more weeks.
The last week or so, I starting to feel like myself again. I am up and doing more. Don't worry, I am still being very careful and not lifting anything heavy, but, I am doing light cooking (which my family loves!), putting some make-up on everyday, and I started creating again. As you can tell by the title, I am hosting a Thanksgiving giveaway. I will give you the entry details, but first, let me share what I am thankful for.
Every year, I would say I am thankful for my family and friends. I would say the same thing this year also, but I say it with much deeper meaningful feelings attached.
Diagnosed with cancer and going through a double mastectomy really reminded me of how our life is very fragile and precious. I have been through a lot medically since I was little and I have thought about mortality in the past too, but your prospective changes when you are a mother of three.
I REALLY. DON'T. WANT. TO. DIE. I want to stick around much longer; watch them grow, thrive, and be there when they need a shoulder to cry on. Sure my kids are not little anymore and my role as a mother is changing, but my job as a mother is never over. Then I thought about the many people who had to go either by accident, through illnesses, or whatever reason. My heart saddens to think about them, about how they must have wanted to stay with their loved ones too. Also it gave me renewed perspective to treasure my family and the other people in my life and not to take them for granted.
My life is not perfect; and boy, I am far from perfect. I do complain about the small stuff too, but the last few months really gave me a reality check of what is more important. These are the things I am thankful for this year and probably they will be at the top of my thankful list for as long as I live.
I am thankful for my life. I am thankful waking up every morning and a chance to do good and do better.
I am thankful for my family and friends. I pray every day about how grateful I am to have them in my life.
I am thankful for the gospel. I am thankful that I can rely and trust in God to help me seek the many small miracles in my life rather than the faults. It has always given me strength to pull through in difficult times.
I still have some concerns about my health and I met an oncologist last week. I don't know how everything will turn out, but I want to live my life with fullest of gratitude and love everyday. :)
I thought about all my friends who helped me though this difficult time and I thought I will do a giveaway not only to benefit the winner, but her friends too!! One lucky winner will receive: one Tiny Tin Sewing Room, and 7 bags of goodies for your friends! The bag contains a stick-able bottle cap pincushion, measuring tape and clips. I bet they will make fun gift exchange for Christmas. So, are you ready for the giveaway details? The rules are simple:
1. First entry: Leave a comment and share what you are thankful for.
2. Second entry: Go to my Instagram page and enter there as well.
I will post the winner on the morning of the 23rd. Good luck everyone!
I, too, had a bilateral mastectomy - mine was less than two weeks ago and I ended up back in the hospital after a severe allergic reaction to an antibiotic. So...I'm thankful to be out of the hospital and feeling better, my wonderful family and friends, and a comfortable recliner. Blessings to you!
ReplyDeleteI am grateful for my family. I have the most amazing & supportive husband and we have 3 girls.
ReplyDeleteLike your situation, my husband and I are going through a cancer scare with regard to his health. So we are also very thankful for each other and the good health that we do have. He will get past all the scary tests and invasions of surgery, although not without a lot of pain. I wish you many, many years of good health. Be gentle with yourself. Maxine Reisenleiter, qbym@att.net
ReplyDeleteWhat a nice thing giving to others. Prayers for complete recovery.
ReplyDeletepatsystiitch@gvtc.com
I am thankful for the simple things in life that really matter the most. And I am thankful that you are feeling better. Prayers for you.
ReplyDeleteI'm thankful every day that I have the ability to help others, even if it's only with a smile, a kind word or a helping hand. Those opportunities are in front of us every day, yet we don't always act on them. Best wishes to you in your recovery.
ReplyDeleteI'm thankful for my family and friends. I'm very lucky in that department!
ReplyDeleteI am so sorry to read of your cancer, wishing you the very best! I purchased one of your "tiny tin sewing rooms" and it's within sight of my desktop as I type,it makes me grin every time I look at it, so very sweet.I'm thankful that you made those.
ReplyDeletesarquilts@yahoo.com
Estoy agradecida a la vida, es el bien mas preciado que tenemos junto con dar amor.
ReplyDeleteLlevo leyendote tiempo/, se fuerte por favor. A mi también me lo diagnosticaron hace 12 años atrás, para mi cada día desde hace 12años es maravilloso.
Besos.
I'm so thankful for my salvation through Jesus' shed blood...and my family...especially our 4 precious grand kiddos...and my Momma!
ReplyDeleteI am thankful for my family - especially the grand children.
ReplyDeleteI am thankful for President Russel M. Nelson challenging the ladies in the church to read the Book of Mormon all the way through by the end of the year. It is making a big difference in my life, and I am truly enjoying reading each day. It's been so wonderful to see the changes that have taken place in my life because I have been spending more time in the scriptures each day.
ReplyDeleteSo glad you are feeling better...a blessed Thanksgiving to you and yours!! I too am so grateful for the gospel...to quote Oswald Chambers "God became the weakest thing in all of His creation, a baby."- to bring salvation- Hallelujah! Your stitchery is exquisite!
ReplyDeleteI, too, am thankful to be alive. Not facing cancer, but a nearly fatal bout of pneumonia four years ago. And I am thankful for people like you who set an example of creativity and gratitude. Thank you.
ReplyDeleteI can relate, though I don’t have cancer , just a few days after retiring I was diagnosed with degenerative disc disease and glaucoma. Physical therapy and super strong eye drops until surgery have made me wonder what I have done so wrong. I went from an active 56 year old to a struggling 56 year old worried I will go blind since glaucoma has already affected my optic nerve , or if I will go paralyzed with my last 2 lumbar being bone on bone. So I worry what type of mid life I am entering just as you are worried if you will survive cancer.i hope you do and I hope this holiday season you can do the things you love and be with those you love too.
ReplyDeleteI'm grateful for family mostly. Also, grateful for people that share their trials and optimism with the rest of us. Thank you! Prayers for you!
ReplyDeleteIt truly is family and friends who make life worth living. People to love and love you back are the greatest blessings. Health is so important, too, and I'm so happy you're on the mend and getting back to the things you love. I am blessed with family and friends, too...I thank God every day for them!
ReplyDeleteI am thankful for inspiring and wonderful friends like you!,
ReplyDeleteHi, Sachiko. Thank you for this wonderful giveaway. I'm very very glad because you feel better and have started creating such amazing things again. I am grateful for my family, my friends and for just being alive. Life is marvelous if you know how to find and enjoy little pleasures that are everywhere. Kisses and hugs from Spain!!
ReplyDeleteI am thankful to have reconnected with family that I lost for years after my parents' nasty divorce.
ReplyDeleteI am most thankful for my family!
ReplyDeleteThankful for my Lord and my life....for my restored relationship with my son.
ReplyDeleteSachiko
ReplyDeleteI loved your blog post. I feel so much the same.
I am so grateful for your friendship, your blog makes me proud to know you. I know you will have many many very happy days ahead. One day you will be a silly gramma like me. I am only 63 and I have 4 silly grand daughters. For today, I wish and hope that you continue to rely on God and the moves he makes
Dear Sachiko,
ReplyDeleteI've been diagnosed with breast cancer November 2016, and I'm thankful that I'm still around and feeling much better than 2 years ago!
I wish you all the best and I hope you get well soon.
Greetings from Austria, Gabriele
I'm grateful for being cancer free for 12 years and counting. You can do it too.
ReplyDeleteI wish you speedy recovery from all that, I really do hope evereyone is as strong as you are. I am thankful for my family and friends and hope to be there for them for a very long time too. Thanks for the giveaway
ReplyDeleteBig hugs! Cancer SUCKS!!!
ReplyDeleteI'm thankful to be a Mom! I just love my kids so much!!! Seriously Motherhood is the best ever!
At this time of the year, I think a lot about all the things I am so thankful for and realize that love for my family and friends are what is the most precious blessing. May you, too, be blessed in this way.
ReplyDeleteAs a 10 year tongue cancer survivor, I can understand a lot of what your going through. Mine was a whole different kind of surgery. They cut off the cancerous part of my tongue, and rebuilt it with muscle and a vein from my left arm. Hard to imagine, I know!
ReplyDeleteThe best part is that they got it all, and I didn't have to take treatments. They told me if I did get cancer again, it wouldn't be the same kind so I pray every single day that doesn't happen. Like you, I did.not.want.to.leave.my.loved.ones!
I think being a little down is normal since while laying around we have more time to think.
I'm glad you're better, and I do pray your days only get better. That little box is too cute!
I am so moved by your thoughts. Thank you for sharing. I am thankful that my total hysterectomy this year removed the growing endometrial cancer before it spread, and I'm glad that my husband healed after a work accident. Thank you for the giveaway. Please take care, glad to hear you are improving.
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