Hey there!  Long time no blog;)  It has been a crazy few weeks!  I celebrated three years cancer free on April 11!  Woo hoo!!!  My family took me to one of my favorite restaurants to celebrate.  I will always celebrate that day like it is a birthday because it is a birthday of sorts.  That is the day they removed the tumor from my breast.  My doctor said that is the day to consider yourself cancer free.  That is to say that is they are assuming that is the day the cancer was removed and the treatment that followed was just a precaution to make sure any possible cancer cells left were killed.  Right now I am still on the six month cycle of doctor visits (next one in August).  Can't wait for the day they say I can go once a year instead!!  I try not to worry too much in between appointments but about a month before I go, the anxiety usually sneaks in and starts to get the best of me until the appointment is over.  I don't think that will ever change.  Once you have it the fear is always there whether you show it to the world or not.  

Last weekend I traveled to Virginia to visit my oldest daughter.  We had a great visit and I enjoyed the warm weather so much!!  It has not been a very nice spring here in New England.  We also attended a concert in Charlottesville.  One of our favorite bands (Parachute) was performing while I was there and we were able to go to the show and hang out for pictures and autographs with the band.  It was such a great show and super hype because it is their home town.  My daughter and I have seen them several times as well as met them.  They always deliver a great show and are so kind and appreciative of their fans.  I just love live music of any kind!  I have a few more shows planned this summer with my husband.  Nothing better than an outdoor concert on a warm summer night!  I have cut back this year (went to 12 shows last year) because of the travel I am doing this summer.  Next trip...New Orleans in June!!  Definitely a bucket list trip!!

This past Friday I had the privilege of modeling in the Seeds of Hope Fashion Show to benefit the Dartmouth-Hitchcock Norris Cotton Cancer Center.  The event raises money for cancer research and support services for cancer patients and their families.  It was held at the beautiful New Hampshire Institute of Art.  The event included live music, a food and dessert showcase, silent auction and cancer survivors modeling designs from local designers and boutiques.  I was asked to participate by a coworker who is also a cancer survivor.  I was nervous to say the least!  This was totally outside of the box for me!! I have never modeled before and was super nervous that I would trip and fall and end up on YouTube somewhere!!  Everyone at the event was wonderful and did their best to make all of us feel at ease.  A local salon was there to style hair and apply professional make up.  I was lucky to model an original design by Uwimana Design.  I went there a month ago for measurements not knowing what to expect and was so surprised by the beautiful one of a kind design she created just for me.  The dress was later auctioned off.  Some of my family and friends were there to cheer me on and I think I rocked it!!  They have asked me to do it again next year and I think I will!!  Not only was it for a good cause but it ended up being a real confidence booster too.  To see more of Uwimana's beautiful designs, go to uwimanadesign.com.  To learn more and/or donate to the Dartmouth-Hitchcock Norris Cotton Cancer Center go to www.dartmouth-hitchcock.org.

Focus this week is to get back on the healthy eating and exercise track.  I have totally fallen off the wagon and don't feel too good about it!  I find it very difficult to stay on track when I am super busy and/or traveling. Way too easy to pick the wrong things to eat when I am in a rush.  Did some food prep today for the week to try to make it a little easier!! Back to the 4:30 AM workouts.  Not easy to do but I always feel ready to take on the day when I get my workout out done with time to get back home and write in my Start Today journal before going to work.  Looking forward to a great week!

From My Heart,

Andrea