Hello, dear readers. If you are a follower of my blog, first thank you and second, you already know that I am a two-time ovarian cancer survivor. This is something personal that I have shared on my about me page as well as a few previous posts. While I like to keep my blog a happy place filled with inspiration and ideas, I feel it’s ok to share what is going on in my life such as this, that is…well…not that pretty or glamourous.
This past Friday was a difficult day for me. I underwent a routine CT exam and the words, “Your CT scan shows more growth” was not what I wanted to hear. I’ve been lucky that the medicine I was on has kept me alive and well for four years but then it stopped working so I went on another treatment only to be told that it was not working either. I am now faced with making decisions on the doctor’s recommendation. The bright side to this….I still have options! While the options have its positives and negatives, I am thankful I get to choose, then not. When I got home the day after, I kept myself really busy so that I don’t have to think about what just happened. I cleaned the house and went into my studio and kept myself busy and was inspired to make this…
The heart symbolizes ‘love’ and the cross symbolizes ‘faith’. With these two things, I know I can make it through this difficult struggle.
While my mind will take me to places I don’t want it to go, I immediately stop and tell myself…that will not happen! Conversations are had with loved ones that we don’t want to hear or talk about but now that I have come to grips with this, I am determined to think positive, live my life as normal and not let this shitty cancer take me to a dark place! It will not win!
I am so THANKFUL for the love of my life who has supported me in countless ways and who always gives me the uplifting courage I need to keep it going. Also, bringing laughter to any situation, especially when things feel like they are at their worst, you always find a way to make me laugh! It’s so good for my heart! Thank you! I am truly blessed!! I am also thankful for the love of my family and my dad’s encouraging words….“Rose Angel, you fight”! You see, my dad is a survivor too. A survivor of colon and lung cancer, so if he can do it, I can do it!
I have come to terms that this is my life…medicines will work, then stop, others will work and then some that won’t and as much as I hope for one day to be cancer free and no longer need to have injections or treatments, as long as I have LOVE and FAITH, I will be ok.
I am happy to be a partner of the National Ovarian Cancer Coalition (NOCC). In the coming weeks, I will be adding this card to my Etsy shop and as part of my giving back, a portion of the proceeds from the sale of this card will go to NOCC to support their mission to raise awareness and promote education about ovarian cancer.
XO
-Pictures: Rose Angel Lopez // ‘Love & Faith’ Cancer Card: Design by Occasion
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