One Year Anniversary!

Dear Friends,

A year has now past since I was first diagnosed with breast cancer and I am thrilled to write that my life is full with abundant health, vibrant and engaging activity and incredible gratitude. I am cancer free and loving it.

Several of you have called with concern because I obviously have not kept up with this blog….the last two entries I wrote at the beginning of the year were a bit over the top (I knew it at the time but decided to push myself to be more revealing) and I felt I exposed myself beyond my own comfort level. I wasn’t prepared for the questions and concerns from many of you. The truth is, by the time I released them to all of you, I had resolved many of the issues I wrote about. The writing was healing in and of itself. This is my first blog and I am definitely learning as I go….so, I have no idea how long I will keep this blog going. It was initially conceived by my dear son, Timo and my brother in law, Rex, as a way for us to get news out about all that was happening. Now that the big storm has passed and life is resuming back to a wonderful, peaceful tempo, I would imagine I will feel inspired every now and then to post something more publicly to all of you.

There are some things I want you to know about TAJ (This Amazing Journey)…I am happier and more at peace than I have ever been. So many women who had been diagnosed with breast cancer reached out to me during this time and expressed how they would not wish this experience on anyone however they also would not want the experience taken from them. I didn’t get this at the time. In fact, in some cases, I thought it was just being said to help me “feel better”. Now, I realize that I have been given a gift that is allowing me to be less worried about the past or future and to be more in the moment and present with what is happening right now. I can honestly say I do “feel better” and this feeling is a deep resonance of peace. Sure it ebbs and flows but it mostly is simply peaceful.

My journey to this current state of mind has had many aspects. Certainly among them have been conversations and experiences with my family and close friends. I count myself incredibly fortunate to have a loving husband, Tony, joining me for every bit of the journey. As many of you who know us well know, Tony and I are forever processing and learning together. This last year has given us some delicious experiences to delve into. We are closer than ever as a result of this. My children, mother, sisters, their husbands and my nieces and nephews, cousins and in-laws have been vigilant and constant in their concern, compassion and support. Our new granddaughter has been a joy beyond joys.

Further, I count myself blessed when it comes to having good friends. Several of you reading this right now know you really “put out” for me. I have laughed at myself many times saying that I can never play the “nobody loves me” card ever, ever again.

In addition to many of you, a major teacher for me this year was Eckhart Tolle and his book A New Earth. This is an important piece of writing. I am now reading it for the second time and it is among a few books I have that I hope to read every year. I found Oprah’s web cast interviews with Eckhart very helpful in deepening my understanding and appreciation of this book. You can see these on Oprah.com. I have downloaded the audio to my ipod and listen to them regularly. Please, if there is one non-fiction book you read this year, make it this one.

A few other important gems that have come my way this year are: Anusara yoga (conceived by yogi John Friend…this is a beautiful flow, Hatha based yoga with a spiritual perspective I particularly like); the book The 28-Day Cleansing Program by Scott Ohlgren and Joann Tomasulo (this is pretty much the way I eat now and I am finding it helpful with keeping my joints feeling good, my weight under control and generally feeling perky); George Mateljan’s recipes I get daily on line (delicious and really healthy recipes): and finally, my Tibetan singing bowls (any time I am feeling a bit scattered, I take a moment to allow the sounds of the bowl to gently sooth me.)

I would be remiss if I did not acknowledge my doctors – Dr. Robert Allen and Dr. Joshua Levine – who performed the diep flap surgery that gave me my beautiful new reconstructed breast. This surgery is not well-known. Please, if you know someone going through breast cancer and having a mastectomy, tell them to explore this reconstruction option with a specialized diep flap surgeon. Discussing it with a physician who primarily does implants is not enough (from my own experience – I was told I was not a candidate….but au contraire!) You can always refer your breast cancer friends to me. I will be happy to share my experience….they can see and feel for themselves (Tony says if he had only charged admission he would be much wealthier now.)

In closing, I am curious about the things you are learning about and finding valuable. Please respond either on this blog or to my email thargrave@beingupfront.com telling me what you are focused on that is interesting to you and teaching you new things.

Lovingly,

Teresa

P.S. My good friend and personal wellness advisor, Nance Petit, is doing a women’s retreat called Vibrant Living, in NC the weekend of October 30-November 2. I will be there, along with several friends and my sister, Deb. There are a few open spaces so if you have interest, email me!