September of 2023 has arrived, and with it, the memories of a summer that came and went too quickly. Labor Day, once a marker of leisurely gatherings and celebrations, has now passed.
My summer plans were filled with joyful occasions like weddings, graduations, reunions, the Cape Verdean festival, and sizzling summer barbecues. I was eagerly looking forward to these events, but alas, fate had different plans. The unwelcome interruption known as “TAZ,” a euphemism for cancer, disrupted all my carefully laid-out plans. It was a shock, to say the least.
However, I’m grateful to share some good news amidst this challenging journey. I’m currently undergoing treatment, and I’m finally feeling well enough to rekindle my passion project, DAISY LIST.
As some of you may know, I’m a cancer survivor, having battled uterine cancer back in 2015. After successful treatments, I enjoyed nearly eight years of being cancer-free. Since then, life has thrown its share of trials, detours, roadblocks, and tribulations my way, much like it has for many of you. I plan to document some of these experiences in my blog on DAISYLIST.org, so you can get a glimpse of where I’ve been for the past two years.
The silver lining in this tumultuous journey was the discovery of my Purpose, Passion, and Commitment—the genesis of DAISY LIST.
Fast forward to 2023, and here I am, facing another bout with TAZ. Let’s see what DAISY LIST PT 2 has in store.
Just as the pandemic gripped the world, my family faced significant health challenges. I had to return to Massachusetts to handle numerous issues and situations, putting the launch of DAISY LIST on hold. The focus shifted to my family—caring for my mother and younger sister, navigating hospitals, doctor’s visits, finances, nursing homes, loss, and the sale of our family home, a place with over 70 years of memories. It took more than two and a half years before I could return to my own home in New Jersey. The pressure was immense, and there was hardly any time for anything else.
I mention all of this to emphasize that during that period, my own health was at the bottom of my priority list. My diet and sleep habits suffered, and I missed countless doctor’s appointments due to the five-hour drive between Massachusetts and New Jersey. My medications took a back seat, and I ignored the warning signs my body was sending me.
I had no time for healthy exercise; it was a relentless cycle of running from one issue to another. My family’s mantra was always, “Take care of yourself first,” but I convinced myself I was doing just that, though it was far from the truth.
As things finally started to settle down and I returned to New Jersey, my health began to deteriorate rapidly. I hadn’t seen a doctor in years, and my body was sending me distress signals every day. My doctor wasted no time scheduling a colonoscopy, and the results were sobering—cancer. It was a gut punch I never saw coming, perhaps because my mind was occupied with a multitude of other concerns. TAZ, as it turns out, had not even crossed my mind, which may sound naive considering my past experiences.
All I wanted was to rest and get back to working on DAISY LIST.
Fast forward, but please pay attention here:
EARLY DETECTION, EARLY DETECTION EARLY DETECTION!
Those words now carry a profound meaning.
Early detection might have led to a very different diagnosis. Seriously, folks, don’t take your health lightly.
Many of you are familiar with the process—doctor’s appointments upon doctor’s appointments, tests upon tests, CAT scans, PET scans, MRI’s, and a carefully crafted treatment plan.
For now, I can say that it’s “treatable,” which is my favorite word. I’m maintaining a positive outlook, even though some days are tougher than others. I’ve embarked on treatment once again, but the most exciting news is that DAISY LIST is making a comeback.
STAY TUNED!