Welcome to our March Series - What I've learned over the last 12 months

Well, here we are. It's March. I can barely believe we're coming up on the 1 year anniversary of the diagnosis that changed my life. So much has happened during that time. Most importantly I've learned a lot about myself. Things like:

• I'm tougher than I thought.
• I have a better attitude than I thought.
• I can tolerate more discomfort than I expected.
• I am determined to live life!
• I do NOT like to lose. 
• Prior to cancer, I did not know what it meant to put myself first.
• Prior to cancer, I did not know what it meant to "live in the moment"
• I am a control freak...I'm sorry, Control Enthusiast - who am I kidding, I totally knew this before cancer.  ;-)
• Chemo-induced menopause scared me - I thought it would be bad because I can't take any hormones...long story). Like most other things about my cancer experience, it's not nearly as bad as I expected. There are more positives than negatives (ladies, I'm sure you know what I mean). The hot flashes are fierce but infrequent and I'm a little bitchier than before (as if THAT is even possible). It's ok though. I started apologizing to Bobby well in advance of the escalated bitchiness so, hopefully, we're good. 

If you don't know what this is from or how it relates to the bullet point above then we cant' be friends. Just kidding. I'll have to share some other time. I will give you some basic info. This is Kat from the movie 10 Things I Hate About You (modern retelling of The Taming of the Shrew) . LOOOOOOOVE this movie.Yes, this will lead to a post of its own.

I've learned more but I think we'll leave the list at that tonight. The whole cancer thing was a bit inconvenient, but I'm grateful to have gone through an experience where I truly feel like I came out a changed person on the other side. I hope it's for the better but time will tell.

Before I go for the night, I want to issue a challenge to everyone out there. Take this time to schedule your mammogram and/or urge someone you care about to schedule theirs. I know it can be scary but cancer is way more scary. Don't be afraid of what the results might be - early detection is the key! Please, please, please my friends!  JUST DO IT!