Miss me?

I am finally back.  Shame on me for letting life get in the way of my writing. But, life happens.  What has happened to keep me away?  Well, basically three items--chemo brain, abuse flashbacks, and becoming a high school mom.

Chemo brain is difficult.  I became extremely frustrated at my bad memory.  Truthfully, my memory was not always the best before chemo but it has definitely become worse since I finished chemo.  I have been doing some logic puzzles to help increase my concentration.  I also have implemented a To Do list on my phone.  I was using pop-up reminder to help me remember to take my medications every night.  I have now eight items that pop up at various times each day to help me remember to accomplish tasks.  I also use it for other reminders that are not daily such as paying a bill, grocery shopping, doing the laundry, and anything else I could possibly forget.  Yes, blogging is now one of the items on the list!  I am finding it quite a struggle to deal with the chemo brain but hopefully the new lists will help.

My oncologist said that when you experience one trauma, it can cause flashbacks to past traumas.  I have been working with a counselor to help me deal with all these emotions and flashbacks.  We have discovered that I was released from counseling too early after I moved out of the shelter seven years ago.  Although my previous counselor helped me deal with my most recent abuse, we never discussed other past abuses.  I've been working on releasing those skeletons in the closet so I can heal and move on.  My current counselor is also helping me deal with my chemo brain plus other emotional issues from my cancer journey.  The ladies in my weekly domestic abuse support group have been wonderful support.

I have definitely need support and advice for my new role as a high school mom.  My daughter attended the same parochial school from age seven weeks through eighth grade.  She is now enrolled in a local parochial high school.  She is busy with classes, dance team, drama club, and pep club.  Although she is not playing any fall sports, we have been going to various games to support her friends.  I had a hard time adjusting to giving her more responsibility and freedom but so far we are both doing well. She is thriving at high school. I have received some great complements about her attitude and personality.  As a single parent is it sometimes difficult to know if I am doing the right things.  Apparently I have been on the right track.

Since October is Domestic Violence Awareness month AND Breast Cancer Awareness month, I hope to revive this blog so we can all discuss Surviving and Thriving once again. If there are any topics you would like to know more about, please feel free to leave a comment or email me so I can include them in upcoming posts.  Thank you for coming back.  I hope to see you here again regularly.