...lost a thyroid + 12 lymph nodes to cancer
...got a new not-so-sexy scar on my neck :(
...had 2 rounds of radiation
...have been extraordinarily thankful for health insurance
...but still ran out of my HSA by mid year due to so many doc visits
...got used to the idea of having to take a pill every morning
...(still) getting used to the idea that if I ever stop exercising and eating right, extreme weight gain will happen INSTANTLY due to my SSM (stupid synthetic metabolism)
...read several nutrition books & watched some amazing nutrition related documentaries
...got certified in Plant Based Nutrition by Cornell University
...decided to fight cancer with nutrition by eating a plant based diet
...started to love cooking again
...took healthy cooking classes at Blum Center for Health and LOVED them
...still found time for my favorite beverages :)
...tried (in vain) to get my family to eat healthier with me (work in progress!!!!!)
...was lucky enough to be with someone open to eating the way I do when at home <3
...was lucky enough to get engaged to that person too!!! <3 <3 <3
...found that shopping trips to Whole Foods and Trader Joes were like heaven to me and hell for my wallet
...got to know and learn from a lot of other people who care about nutrition
...got to know and learn from a lot of other people who have fought cancer and won (and in some cases are still fighting)
...learned that even when going through the most difficult moments of your life, people will still disappoint you
...learned that when going through the most difficult moments of your life, others will surprise you by how much they care and how far they are willing to go for you, making the ones who disappointed you matter much less
...went to Florida, San Diego, and Fishers Island
...went kayaking for the 2nd time (and didn't fall over!!)
...had 3 family reunions and survived all of them
...got my mom to walk/run 1 of them with me!
...and on December 30th, 2011, was declared CANCER FREE :) :) :) :) :)
