Chapter 1: Welcome all!

Hey whoever you are,

WELCOME!

So I guess let me start by saying this is certainly fairly unorthodox for me, seeing as I've never "blogged" before. Not to mention it's not anything I ever imagined myself actually doing. I never thought of myself as the story "writer" type. As I'm sure as you can see based on my questionable grammar and spelling😏

But, for those who know me personally, I have been known to tell a good story or two in my day....well depending who who you ask, maybe a few too many. 😉

I'm sure your first question would be well....why are you doing this? To be completely honest, I feel as though I have a real and personal story to share.  I have no idea who might ever read this, might be just myself as I type it, and if so, I'm ok with that.  This already feels therapeutic on some level, getting this far.  That being said, some of you may be familiar with part or most of my story.  For the rest of you, this story is certainly new, and not something you would have possibly ever believed.

The past year has been life changing for all of us. I am sure 2020 is a time that most of us want to forget, and seeing how the first 17 days of 2021 have been going? well...😒 I digress. The COVID-19 Pandemic has been a real eye opener for a lot of different people, including myself. Primarily in terms of what and who really is important. Not to mention how much of a hot commodity toilet paper is. For me personally, it has brought to light a whole different side of things I've been placing on a back burner for a really long time. Primarily related to health, but also in other aspects of my life.

I'll be the first to admit it. Yes, my name is Laurie, and I am a workaholic. Between commuting and working 2 jobs the past few years, I've not really been left with a lot of time to do other things. Like sleep. HA! But you know what? I love it, I really do.  Working in health care is rewarding on so many different levels and I would never change it for anything.  I love what I do for a living, really.  I have such a passion  for it and truly it brings me so much joy. 

That being said, that now allows me to link back to the reason of this blog.... I have endometrial cancer. Yep. Its the truth. It sucks, and oh it sucks super hard. Not everyone knows that, but hey! they do now! 😆 I can already hear the gasps behind your computer/phone screens as you read this. While quickly reaching for your phone (if not already in your hand) to msg or call me to express your concern.  Its ok. Really, I'm fine. Honestly! I did a full 30 mins of Zumba last Thursday 😄

As you can tell 2020 has been a whirlwind, on top of all the other crap😷. However, what I have noticed, through my travels, is that no-one has really had a story like mine. Or if so, they don't seem comfortable enough to share yet. So here I am big mouth and all shouting it out with a blow horn....DO DO DEE DO!📯

How is my story so different you ask? well maybe you may think its not...but seems this journey has been pretty epic. I feel my story appears pretty complex, so far, and includes a web of different things i.e. fertility complications, weight loss (98 lbs down so far!), and now...well you know, I'm sure I don't have to repeat it. But despite all that I choose joy! YEAH BUDDY! 🥳 which is exactly why I called this blog just that. JOY!!!!💃

That being said, this blog will be a variety of different things. It's primarily a place where I can store my thoughts and progress of  this crazy rollercoaster ride Ive been on since last year. So you may see some, pics, videos, cancer fight progress, and recipes, if I can figure out how to upload those on here.......🤣 Not to mention with a little of my humour and personality sprinkled in.

Despite whatever life gives us, you always have a choice of how to react.  So why not choose joy?! its easy to sit in a room by yourself, with the "oh woe is me" mantra, and somedays that's 100% allowed. Heck I've done it too....but not everyday.  Even before my diagnosis, when covid pandemic hit, I've tried to make a conscience effort to choose joy. Why not?! its free, costs no money people! 😆