[Mary Jo]

Oh Joy - you are such a sweetheart and as Chrissy said "so aptly named." You really are such a blessing to this board.

First off I want to say that I am so happy you had a relaxing and stress free vacation and you did not think about the "C" word even once. Now that is SOOOOOOOOOOOOOO awesome. Now for the second part of your sentence and your question as to how NOT to think about the "C" word at home. OHHHHHHHHH, how I wish I knew the answer to that one. I guess if I did I'd be the million dollar lady, huh? BUT, what helps me through this "new normal" I live with is to pray often. That is my first and foremost priority of each day. Then I remind myself often (a million times a day sometime) that the only thing I do have control over is how I live my life. I can CHOOSE to be happy - CHOOSE to be positive - CHOOSE to be their for others - CHOOSE to be thankful for the life I've been given - CHOOSE to even be thankful for this road I walk. Even though it is scary OFTEN TIMES - even though it is DEPRESSING many days - it has taught me much. God has been and IS good to me. My life is what it is and I will rejoice in it for this is the Day the Lord has given to me and I will NOT LET cancer take that from me. I will rejoice - smile and grab a hold of today. Tomorrow isn't mine yet and only He knows our tomorrows so I will TRY and leave it with Him.

So Joy take that for what it's worth. It's hard, I know (as do we all) but we can CHOOSE JOY and darn it I'm going too. You want to join me???????????????????????

Thanks for your post! As I said before you truly are a JOY to all of us.

Love and hugs,

Mary Jo