Sunday, January 19, 2014

i can do hard things

So happy to report that I felt good enough for a proper celebration of my 35th birthday yesterday.

My birthday is now mixed with the anniversary of my stage IV diagnosis.  Although this stings a little, I am mostly burning with gratitude and awe in my heart.  Two years ago I learned there was cancer in my bones and liver and scattered about throughout the body.  A cancer that spreads quickly and kills quickly.  I have aged a hundred years since that day.  We have been through a lot.  But how wonderful that we made it through.  A great reason to celebrate!

In my 34th year I was barbecued in Utah (radiation), poisoned in Florida (Pd-1), and butchered in Washington (surgery).  Kind of curious what this year will look like.  I am back up and ready for good old fashioned fight.  Bring it on 35!

I took like 20 photos of myself during all the birthday events.  My steroid cheeks are really special in all but this picture.



13 comments:

  1. You guys look great. We are thrilled to hear that you were up to the celebration you so deserve!

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  2. Happy birthday!! You can do hard things...REALLY HARD things! You guys look fantastic! 35 will be a good year!

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  3. I don't think you have steroid cheeks and I know steroid cheeks!!! You look just beautiful and radiant and happy. I am glad you had a happy day.

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  4. Happy Birthday Alisa! You look gorgeous! I'm so glad you felt up to celebrating. Best wishes for a fabulous, miraculous, and beautiful 35th year.

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  5. You glow. Those steroids don't have a chance against you.

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  6. You look beautiful!! And, YES - you can do hard things. You are amazing~ Thank you for sharing all the good and all the crap with us. You are my hero!

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  7. Gorgeous couple who has real reason to celebrate. I hope 35 is wonderful for you Alisa!

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  8. Happy birthday from your old Aunt who would loved to have looked like you do for one second in my life. I love you!

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  9. Yay! Happy birthday! You look radiant! I'm still a fan of yours down here in Southern California, cheering you on! xoxo

    I sent this acronym of HARD things to my two missionary children recently:

    H How Christlike
    A Attributes
    R aRe
    D Developed

    "I can do all things through Christ which strengtheneth me."

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  10. You CAN do hard things! That's my favorite saying! And you're stunning!

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  11. Happy, happy birthday! So much to celebrate! Um not sure what you are talking about… you look radiant. Seriously, you are just amazing, beautiful inside and out. Look at all you have conquered and not just in the last two years! You and Josh deserve a medal of sorts… or at least many more miracles :). You HAVE done many hard things!! Thanks for inspiring me every day and reminding me about the important things in life.

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  12. I thought about you a lot last week as you were celebrating your birthday! (And mine as well almost to the day!) I am so very grateful that you are still alive and kicking and kicking melanoma's ass again!

    I love reading your posts because every time I am reminded of the miracles that not only you have witnessed, but that I have been blessed with too. Thanks for sharing. I can't to meet you. I swear next time I'm in UT, I will make it a priority to come see you!

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  13. Happy Birthday Alisa! I'm sorry I'm a bit late, but I hope it was great! Know that you are loved and prayed for in this part of Southern Utah.

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