I’ve been thinking about what it means to lead an authentic life lately. The words “authentic life” have been buzzing around the internet and in news articles lately, but what does it really mean?
Last September when I was diagnosed with breast cancer...

Let me start by saying this is most definitely not a food blog. But sometimes I come up with something so tasty I feel compelled to share. I’m also not a food photographer. It’s just real food, made by a real person, in a real kitchen.
This recipe comes with a background story. I’ve been home recovering from my double mastectomy for 5 days now and as you can imagine, I’m starting to get cabin fever. Especially since it was 70 degrees out today! I feel pretty good besides some soreness and bruising. There’s no rule that says I can’t leave the house, but the thought of going to the grocery store while I have surgical drain tubes protruding from my sides with clear goo-collection bulbs at the end sounds horrible and embarrassing.

I remember when you showed up. Unexpectedly of course. Some warning would have been nice. But no, there you were, all of a sudden. I’m not even sure I was the first to notice you, it might have been the 4th grade boys in my class that first pointed you out… literally… with hand over mouth giggles. To say I was embarrassed was an understatement. ​

I look over my shoulder and see this road behind me.
An uphill battle full of challenges, twists and turns.Day two, post-chemo, and I’m feeling pretty optimistic today. I was initially excited to have my last treatment and had been counting down the days since day 60. Literally marking them off my calendar, calculating how many I had behind me and how many still lie ahead. I’m a very goal oriented person so anytime I can check a box or measure my progress my enthusiasm for completion will be higher. 

This week has been particularly challenging. I was really looking forward to reaching my chemo half way mark this week with 10 weeks in and 10 weeks to go. That was on Monday, but now just four days later I’m feeling pretty defeated. This new kind of chemo (Taxol) was supposed to be easier and maybe I set my expectations too high… or maybe I’m just over it and want to be done!

Things were going really well last weekend and my energy levels were higher than I expected as I wrapped up my second Zumba class on Saturday. Of course I had help from Amanda with my second one, or rather she had help from me. I only taught five songs but it felt great to attend class, see everyone and do a little dancing and sweating.
Still feeling pretty good I had a few friends over Saturday night, nothing fancy just some simple snacks and laughs.

The question I am asked most often when people find out about my cancer diagnosis and treatment is, “Why are you having chemo and then surgery instead of the other way around?”
So as promised in an earlier post, I will explain why my doctors have recommended chemotherapy treatment prior to surgery.