Those of you who have followed my blog for a while probably remember how much difficulty I had with the concept of my “New Normal.” Of course, the delivery of that term was less than stellar. A therapist who asked me what my goals were in recovery from breast cancer told me that I would “never be normal again.” Yes, my recovery goal was simply “to get back to normal.” Hey, in my (naive) defense, I was still going through reconstruction, and I had just barely finished chemotherapy. Normal sounded awesome to me. Being told that would “NEVER” happen sounded like a death knell. She placated me by saying I would have a New Normal. So, I resisted the concept entirely.

Here’s my New Normal: I’m home doing homework with my children every week day, instead of leaving them in after-school care while I wind down my work day. I’ve rebuilt my physical strength, and am happy to say that my endurance is better than it was before cancer. Instead of working in an office, I have my own. Instead of playing it safe, I’m publishing my books. I’m living the dream I had for myself during childhood, and I probably wouldn’t have taken this plunge if I hadn’t had cancer. Perspective is an amazing thing.

“The goal is to live a full, productive life even with all that ambiguity. No matter what happens, whether the cancer never flares up again or whether you die, the important thing is that the days that you have had you will have lived.” ~ Gilda Radner

“Once I overcame breast cancer, I wasn’t afraid of anything anymore.” ~ Melissa Etheridge

“Breast cancer changes you, and the change can be beautiful.” ~ Jane Cook

“Yesterday I dared to struggle. Today I dare to win.” ~ Bernadette Devlin

Today is World Cancer Awareness Day. My advice to you today is to be mindful of the life you are living, and if it isn’t the life you want, then CHANGE it!

Blessings and love to you all!