She’s a Unicorn
Oh, my friends! There is so much I want to tell you! All the news bites bounce around in my head- which one will bubble to the top? Which should I share first? To stay organized, today I’ll simply share all about my Unicorn Cancerversary. 🦄 🎀
As I explained last month, Thrivers who live to at least 5 years with metastatic breast cancer are called unicorns! It breaks my heart that this is so rare and unique. It isn’t fair. I will forever wish that the friends I’ve made and lost on this journey could be unicorns, too. I recognize this is a blessing and a privilege. And finally, finally we celebrated!!
My sweet friend, Janna, sent me a card full of confetti- all the way from London, England. I also printed my very own certificate and brought some sweet treats to the hospital with us for this month’s infusion. Dr. Tan and her nurse, Ashley, have walked every step of this journey with Andrew and I. Their tender loving care has made our cancer journey a better experience, and I’m so grateful! 🩷
(A glamour shot for me and Andrew, and a glamour shot for the balloons! Naturally, these were not achieved in the same pic.) 😂
A few weekends ago, we camped out at City Walk Brewing for a sunny afternoon. I was really blown away by all the friends and church family that came out to celebrate with us! (Thank you, all!) As I tied giant unicorn and #5 balloons to a post in the biergarten, hilariously the next table unboxed a unicorn cake for their daughter. Two unicorns, not affiliated, with plenty of sparkle! LOL. All afternoon, friends dropped in for selfies with my unicorns, a hug and time together. I’m so grateful!
It’s interesting to celebrate such a unique holiday/milestone/achievement. People in your innermost circle get it and are over the moon with you, but outside of that it’s a bit of a mystery. “So what is this? Explain this to me?” Even strangers in the biergarten asked, “What are we celebrating today?” I was happy to explain it. But both before and after the party, it was tempting to feel disappointed. Like everyone forgot the hell we went through to get to this day, how many MBC friends didn’t make it this far, and how so much of Andrew and I’s life remains chained to the hospital. I’m sure if I said, “I’m celebrating surviving cancer! End of treatment! Cancer free!” or something of that nature, a few more people would have hopped on board. But I can’t say those things, because it isn’t true.
I heard Jess Connolly say once, “Sometimes you have to kick satan in the teeth!” (Yikes! Yes I did just pull that reference haha) Because here’s the deal, friends: Every good thing we are given and can celebrate in this world also comes with nuance. With a little dirt. A touch of disappointment. It’s never going to be a full, perfect experience, no matter how much perspective shifting grace we embrace. The week leading up to the party was so hard- life was stressful, my body was sickly after my infusion, and I really had to fight to stay excited. (See more here!) In the midst of that, I’m grateful that God pulled me close. I knew from experience that rest for my heart and my body was in order. (As opposed to my reflex fix of caffeine and screen time, haha) I said, “I’ll be damned if I let rogue thoughts color my overall experience of such a big moment!” Hi-YAH! Chop! Kick! 💥 I picture my heart of hearts swirling up a dust cloud, karate chopping sad thoughts and untrue words. So here’s to noticing those thoughts when they happen, and actively choosing to turn away from them, back to the Truth that never changes!
Nothing can change God’s healing in my life.
Nothing can change God’s love, my innate value, or purpose here.
Nothing can pull me from His loving arms- despite whacky weeks and exhaustion.
Amen? Amen!
You can see more of our celebration here!
If you’re doing a little karate chopping of your own, sweet friend, I’m cheering you on! Angels encamp around you. God hears your cry for help. He has not forgotten you. I pray this encourages you:
4 I asked the Lord for help, and he answered me.
He saved me from all that I feared.
5 Those who go to him for help are happy.
They are never disgraced.
6 This poor man called, and the Lord heard him.
The Lord saved him from all his troubles.
7 The Lord saves those who fear him.
His angel camps around them. -Psalm 34: 4-7
From one unicorn to another, we’re all so uniquely made and loved and cherished by God above! Sharing my glitter with you! 😉
