Inspiring Words

Hi, everyone! I'm back to feeling my normal self and don't have to go to my next chemo until one week from today and so have some time to enjoy feeling well.

It's been a bit of a rough day emotionally for me. I met Liesl, a teacher friend from school, at Starbucks. We talked for almost an hour and a half. It was a wonderful time, but when we left I was headed home and she was headed up to school to get ready for next week. I was so jealous. Then, when I came home, I exchanged emails with the teacher who is going to take over my class for the second half of the year. She is so sweet and caring and enthusiastic. I know she is going to do a wonderful job and that the kids will love her. But, again, it just left me feeling sad.

I've joined a listserve that is made up of women and families who have or are battling Inflammatory Breast Cancer and through this list I've learned that it is possible to be a long-term survivor of this disease. They don't really talk of curing it, but there are members of the list who have been without evidence of disease for over ten years. This gives me so much hope. Many members have also talked about how the chemotherapy part of the treatment plan is the worst and that the surgery and radiation afterwards aren't nearly so bad in comparison. This is also very encouraging. If everything continues to go smoothly for me and according to plan, I should be finishing up radiation this summer. If that is so, I am thinking I will be able and ready to return to the classroom next year. Focusing on that helps me deal with missing it so much right now. When I first started researching IBC and the prognosis, I didn't think I was ever going to be able to return. Now, I know that there is a good chance I will be able to.

I'm always amazed at how, just when I'm feeling low, something happens to pick me up again. That happened again today. My friend and neighbor, Mary Lopez, sent over a Christmas present and with the card she enclosed something called The Optimist's Creed. It is written by C.D. Larson. The words were just what I needed to hear. I asked Mary and she said it was fine to share them on the blog. I think you all will find them as inspiring as I have.

The Optimist's Creed

Promise yourself:
To be so strong that nothing can disturb your peace of mind.
To talk health, happiness, and prosperity to every person you meet.
To make all your friends feel that there is something worthwhile in them.
To look at the sunny side of everything and make your optimism come true.
To think only of the best, to work only for the best, and to expect only the best.
To be just as enthusiastic about the success of others as you are about your own.
To forget the mistakes of the past and press on to the greater achievements of the future.
To give so much time to improving yourself that you have no time to criticize others.
To be too large for worry, too noble for anger, too strong for fear, and too happy to permit the presence of trouble.
To think well of yourself and to proclaim this fact to the world, not in loud words, but in great deeds.
To live in the faith that the world is on your side, so long as you are true to the best that is in you.

Love you all tons!
Until next time,
Martha