Life is great. Let me repeat that sentence, our life is great. I recently had to rethink the way I thought about this current time in our lives. We were (still are) caught up in the day to day race that many families experience every day- getting the kids to school, after school activities, and therapy  while also trying to have a meal on the table and bedtime before midnight (joke, our kids go to bed WAY before midnight). We are exhausted and drained, but our life is great. We are healthy and our kids are thriving having both Mom and Dad home with them. One year ago, I would have done everything possible to be in my shoes today, to have the energy to take my kids to school and today I am able to. Do I still get exhausted after completing the morning routine and dropping off the kids at school? Yes. Do I have to sit down and rest more throughout the day? Yes. But I am present and back to my full time Mom job- which feels so right. 

This past summer was both one of the hardest and best summers of my life. I was able to spend time with Emery, Rowan, Kanan and Roxy that I wouldn’t have been able to if it wasn’t for my diagnosis. I was able to rebuild my relationship with Emery and Rowan and create a new one with Kanan. It’s crazy to think that before this summer, I truly wasn’t ever alone with all 3 kids by myself except for a small period of time. I was tested. My strength and stamina were tested. But my drive to have a great, unforgettable summer with my family, was stronger. And we had the best summer. 

In August, everyone started school for the first time in 3 years. This was a hard adjustment for everyone, but after a little over a month later, everyone has adapted. I have also recently returned to work, starting part time with the goal to return full time in the future. 

In regard to health, I’m doing “great.” I still have to be cautious of sickness around me (which is ironic with little kids), but I’m trying my best to distance myself when needed. My fatigue level is still higher than I would prefer, but I am reminded that it will take time. I still find myself getting sick some days, but according to the BMT team it may be due to long term effects on my GI track from the conditioning chemo, so I will continueto take the good days as they come. And there are SO many good days to be thankful for. 

So now what? We continue to live our lives as much as possible. I have an oncologist  appointment this week where I will have labs drawn and immunizations. Hopefully, it will be a smooth and easy appointment. Last time, I brought all 3 kids to the appointment so this time shall be “relaxing” compared to the last. We hope that things remain quiet the next few months. We will have more scans and workups when we approach 1 year in December. Until then, we will live life #onedayatatime and enjoy all the fall activities possible.