If it weren't for cancer......

Tomorrow will be chemo #4, the halfway point! Hoping to get some more good news.  I'm gonna get a little sappy here today as I reflect back on the last two months. :)

Sometimes I think, "If it weren't for cancer, my life would be pretty perfect right now." But then I stop and think... "or maybe... this is just the way it should be." A lot of the reasons that I'm so happy these days are a result of things that have happened to me since being diagnosed.

This past weekend, nine of my best friends from college, my Chi Omega sisters, came to see me. It's very rare for everybody to have a free weekend where we can all get together, and for them to all fly to Dallas and come to me is just so super awesome! I got to host all my best friends at my house, take them to my favorite places in Dallas and just relax and have some fabulous girl time that I had really been craving. This was our life every day of college at Mizzou, and those were some of the best times of my life. This weekend felt just like we were back in college, we were all just snuggling, gossiping, laughing and even crying. It made me so happy and thankful for what I have. If I didn't have cancer, last weekend wouldn't have happened. 

If I didn't have cancer, I wouldn't have seen just how amazing people really can be. I was starting to doubt the goodness of people after this past year of tragedies across our nation. The shooting in Newtown really hit my boyfriend Kelly and I hard. I just don't understand how somebody could be such a monster. We cried for a few days after that. It's crazy to me that even after that horrible tragedy, shootings of this kind kept occurring in our country. I was really starting to doubt the good in humanity. Now- that's all changed and I'm just in awe of how amazing people really are. I've had so many people reach out to me that I can't even keep track, and feel horrible that I can't personally thank everybody. The website my best friend Jessie made (www.helpjuliebeatcancer.com) has had such an unbelievable response. Friends, family and even strangers have been reaching out, donating money to my medical fund, and leaving me kind words that really strengthen and inspire me. I check it often and it immediately lifts my spirits. I don't think I would feel so strong and inspired and loved if it weren't for cancer.

About 95% of the people I work with are dudes who love sports. Dudes who love sports and love fantasy football and making off color jokes. These dudes are not known for being sentimental.  Now, I come in to work and these dudes just give me hugs. They ask how I'm doing. They call and check on me, and have even donated to my website.  The outpouring of concern and care from my co-workers has been so incredible. I wouldn't get these hugs or know how amazing all my co-workers truly are if it weren't for cancer.

The Dallas Stars organization, wow, has just gone above and beyond to let me know that they care. From the players and their wives, to the front office, to the fans... they've made me feel so special. Dropping the puck at the Stars v Calgary game on Hockey Fights Cancer night was one of the most amazing nights of my life.  Seeing the arena stand up and cheer me on, like they would for a Jamie Benn game winning goal, was just such a surreal moment. I would not have experienced that moment if it weren't for cancer. 

My friends and family have really gone out of their way to show me support and let me know that they care. Almost every day I have a nice card in the mail or a friend calling to see if I need dinner or company, or just wanting to know how they can help. I got a dozen roses from a girl I haven't talked to in about a decade. I've received kind words and donations from so many friends and friends of friends. I received donations and hand written cards from co-workers of my stepdad whom I've never met. I've received inspirational notes and facebook messages from people I've met throughout my life, and even some other cancer survivors. I've received an outpouring of love from Kelly's family and his parent's friends in Canada, and it's all just so amazing. People are so kind. Most of my relationships I have with people in my life have become stronger.  I have treats and gifts and blankets and flowers and hats and cards all throughout my house that serve as constant reminders of just how much I am loved and how many people are pulling for me. It's hard to get sad in a house full of treats and gifts and blankets and flowers and hats and cards. I wouldn't have a house full of treats and gifts and blankets and flowers and hats and cards if it weren't for cancer.

A new Bible study group has been formed with some of my close friends and women of all ages. I love taking time each week to become closer to God and to be reminded of his love for me. I love the bond I now have with these amazing women. I wouldn't be so close to God right now or have this wonderful Bible study time to reflect if it weren't for cancer.

My spirits have been so high and I'm just so happy these days. I have an amazing boyfriend and the best friends and family that anybody could ask for. I love my job and all of my co-workers and feel so blessed to have landed in such a great spot surrounded by so many loved ones here in Dallas. It sounds so weird- but I don't know that I would be as happy as I am if it weren't for cancer. I'm not going to sit around and feel sorry for myself- I'm going to use this opportunity to garner strength from all of these amazing people around me, kick cancer's ass, and get on with my life with a whole new outlook. I've heard people who have fought cancer say it- and now I understand. Kelly's mom said it. She's a recent breast cancer survivor and one of the most positive and loving people I know, and she's such a role model for me. The wife of the Dallas Stars GM has become such a role model for me. She is fighting cancer and was given two months to live two years ago. She is one of the kindest people I know and has been such a blessing and inspiration for me. She said it best in this story that ran on NBC. http://www.nbcdfw.com/video/?_osource=SocialFlowTwt_DFWBrand#!/news/sports/Stars-GM-And-Wife-Battle-Against-Cancer/232299781 "I used to like people, now I love people."

It's not a fun hand that I've been dealt, but everything happens for a reason and I truly am so glad it's happened to me and not to any other friend or family member that I love.  I can handle this. It's already made me a stronger, kinder, happier person and taught me to not sweat the small stuff in life. It's already changed me for the better. And I wouldn't be this new me if it weren't for cancer.

 But....I do miss my hair ;) XOXO