The Celebration Speech

Thank you friends for all joining me tonight in not only the celebration of the BIG 40, but to celebrate the end of chemo, and You, my friends and family who have been with me during the last 6+ mths.  You are here because you have in some way touched my heart, and I thank you for that.  I am truly amazed and full of gratitude to have as many wonderful, generous, giving people in my life that have helped to make the most difficult time in my life manageable.  I really want you all to know just what has helped me to see that battling cancer has given me a renewed hope for what the future holds.  I  have been so lucky to have had old friendships resurface during this time,  to have deepened existing ones, made new wonderful ones, and in general, am thankful for reconnecting to what is important in life.  All of you.

I am grateful for the Monday lunches with my girls, Jennith, Mia & Marnie.  This time spent with you has not only distracted me from being a patient but has proved to be empowering.  You ladies are my rocks, and I feel the ‘girl power’ when we’re together.  From the outside it could look like life’s really rough for me going for lunch every Monday with my friends, but this time has become one of the weekly events I look forward to most, that keeps me grounded.  This is when I get to sit back be lazy and just visit.  I’m forgiven when I’m not feeling well, and I can just relax and listen to all of you tell your stories, and most of all, make me laugh!  Thank you, it has been more therapeutic for me than you know.

I am grateful to all my support group friends.  You are all such wonderful, amazing women fighting the same battle with such courage.  Thank you for sharing your insight, your stories, and opening your life to me.  It’s been a god send having you all to share my experiences with. 

I am grateful to all my friends at the gym who have never thought of me as being sick, Katelyn, Sean,  Trish, Bruce, Marty, Nancy, Brooke, Tara, Tim, Karl, George, Cheryl, Natalie & Amber.  You have been so encouraging and have inspired me to continue to be healthy.  And for organizing and attending chemo cocktails pre-chemo every 3 weeks.  I always looked forward to these times when we got to know each other a little more than just pumping iron.  We have really began to form some great friendships.

I am grateful to all of you who have taken time to cook and bake for my family, Laurie, Dave & Elena, Tara (Tara’s dad), ML & Craig, Kerri,  Nicole, LeeAnn, Jackie, Darla, Aggie & Ralph , Trish, Karen & Gord, LeeAnn & Rob & Kiah.

I am grateful to Shannon who has taken time out of her day on no less than 25 occasions to give me my Neupogen shots.  Just had my last one today!  Horray!  This was such a wonderful thing for you to do for me Shannon, and I love how it provided the opportunity for us to reconnect.

Thank you to my friends and family who all joined me on my chemo days, Glen, Lisa, Michelle, Doris-Ann, Marnie, Ang, Sheila, Jackie, and Mia who didn’t miss 1.

To all my dear friends and Angels who made the time to call and check in regularly.  Michelle, the weekly long phone calls, and Kerri all the wonderful words of encouragement! 

Jennith, thank you for the chemo flowers!  Every chemo day I would come home to a new bouquet of beautiful flowers to lift my spirits, and that it did.  Just to know that you were thinking of me on that day was so humbling.

To Kiah, for taking care of Kendra.  So many days I would hear Kiah in her early 20’s at the end of the day expressing how tired she was, that Kendra had her going all day, more mentally than physically.  How thankful I am that you have been able to keep Kendra occupied and challenged.  I can guarantee you that I would not have had the energy you have demonstrated.  I am so happy with the wonderful care and attention you have provided for our children.

Jackie, I am so grateful for that night you spent with me in the hospital post-surgery.  It was such a wonderful bonding experience that I will forever cherish.  I love you.

Tara, you exude love & support.  Not only are you a fabulous jewelry maker, but a fabulous friend!  I am so thankful to have you in my life.   You are encouraging, and positive, it’s difficult for myself and those around you not to gain some of that through pure osmosis.   You amaze me with your generosity!  I was always the envy of my friends with each chemo gift you gave to me.  And thank you for dressing and accessorizing me tonight! 

Mia for keeping me looking and feeling beautiful, through the regular upkeep of CeCe & Zilya.  For the emotional support when I’m going crazy, and for helping Glen decorate this beautiful room!  You are a lovely, cherished friend.

To Sheila who took a week out of her time to come to Winnipeg for chemo #3.  We sure did have a great time that week, and kicked some serious ass at the gym!  During that week you provided so much emotional support to me, I am eternally grateful, I love you. Thank you sister!  

All the planning and organizing that goes into being a career patient is surprising.  It took an organized Angel such as Lisa to make a spreadsheet for hospital visits following surgery, to have the clear-mindedness (which I’ve lacked) to know when and what kind of help I would need during my post-surgery recovery.  The chauffeuring and emotional support, eyes & ears during Dr. visits, scans, chemo…who knew this would become my full-time job, and the PT job of my friends as well?!  Thank you from the bottom of my heart Lisa, you are a wonderful friend, and I love you.

Most of all, Glen, thank you for putting up with me!  I have not always been myself, and have been known to be more difficult to please than necessary, so thank you for sticking it out with me.  Thank you for taking such great care of the kids and our home when I lacked the foresight, and energy to do so myself.  And thank you for planning this wonderful party tonight.  I sent out the invites, but it took Glen with the help of Mia to pull it all together.

I am looking forward to the year ahead.  To more celebrations, to feeling more like myself again, and the ability to start being more of a friend to all of you.   I look forward to paying it forward!

Cheers! 

(Side note:  I apologize deeply if I have forgotten to thank someone.  I am still suffering from chemo brain, and there are so many people to thank, just know that you have made a difference and I am full of gratitude.)