So, I had chemo today. So far, so good. I feel even better today than I did last week. Still feel hot inside and cold outside, and my nails feel like they are lifting, but aside from that...no reactions and no side effects......so far. My mood improved a little bit today. Feeling a little happier, but it could be that I was just excited to go "get my drippings" on....who knows. Believe me, that sounds weird that I was "excited" about chemo, but it's like throwing up during a stomach bug. you know it will make you feel better faster, so you just let it go....literrally.
So, I have to say that all the encouragement that I get about my blog is SOOOOO uplifting. I hear all the time... "it's like you are talking directly to me and I can picture your face telling me a story" or "your make me cry and then you make me laugh" or "I was moved by your post for a totally different battle and it was exactly what I needed to hear on that day" and my favorite "you're so strong and this battle has already been won".
I have to say, this is what keeps me fighting! Hearing all the words of encouragement, knowing that I've touched someone...somewhere....somehow..... I feel like "mission accomplished" you know what I mean? It makes me smile. It's uplifting. Especially on days where I just want to cry my eyes out because it's not fair.
So, my challenge to you is this....
I want you to leave a comment on my blog, it only takes a second, and they come directly to my inbox. I want you to tell me, either in one word, or how ever many it takes you.....to describe me. What is it that moves you when you read my story. How do I make you feel? How do you describe me to your friends when you tell them about my story. (You know it's a small world when a friend of a friend hears about your blog and story and you have no clue who the person is that told them about it...they are a complete stranger)
So, what am I? Who am I? What is it that makes me who I am?
Sometimes I'm not sure myself what makes me who I am...... except that I am who God created me to be and I let it be.....
Lift my spirits and keep me fighting....for my kids and my husband. (and if you make me cry, you'll get a virtual thumbs up because I need to cry in a good way for a change)
I love you all!
Ta-ta for now....
You inspire, move and touch me. I tell who you are to people and I use the words, fighter, believer, over-comer, mother, friend. I feel like you inspire me to realize that NOTHING is to big for God to handle no matter how much I try to handle it first. And as goofy as it sounds... You make me think of the Veggie-tales song, God is Bigger than the Boogie Man. You are a beautiful person, Tiffany, one who I am honored to call "friend".
ReplyDeleteI do not know you very well at all, but when I share your story I always use the words, "calm, strength, peace and fight". I would say those are 4 things you have a TON of. You are fighting like my Mom fought and she kicked cancers ass 13 years ago!!!! I've never commented before, but felt like this was a fitting time to do so.
ReplyDelete-Sarah Jankowski
The second year we did the Race for the Cure, I went all out and did flyers. On one of them, I called our supporters “Boobylicious Brassiere’s”, and you sent me a message telling me how much you liked that. We’d met several times over the years, but at that moment, I thought, “This chick totally gets me!” I felt an instant connection with you...like long lost friends.
ReplyDeleteWhen I tell people about you, I tell them how amazing you are...how you are handling everything with strength and grace. Seriously...I want to be like you when I grow up. :) You have such a way with words...you are able to articulate what you are going through, and you’re so open and honest. That helps us understand your journey, and I think it also helps us understand our own situations...where maybe we weren’t able to find words or ways to figure things out.
I am proud to be your friend...and one of the many brassiere’s you have on this journey!!
Tiffany, I have always felt that you are a strong, organized, determined, funny person. What I admire most about you is that you are genuine, what you see, or 'read' in most of our interactions is what you get. When you decide to do something, you execute with such flair and poise. You are a success in so many ways!
ReplyDeleteEven when the cancer news came I could hear your same feisty drive toward success behind your initial disappointment. I knew immediately that this disease had met a formidable foe, and the day would come when you would share your testimony of victory with all of us.
It has already begun my friend. I am so proud of you for staying true to who you are at a time when many would fold up into a ball of pity. You inspire me in such a meaningful way. You have helped me let go of some of my people-pleasing tendencies and to reach beyond my reservations and excuses. I've taken some hard looks at my life and am making some better decisions about how I hope my life will be ultimately defined. I thank you for that from my heart!
Hey Tif, its Jenn (polar1ce) from BBC
ReplyDeleteWhen I get to work in the morning, your facebook and blog are the first things I check. Even though I have never met you personally, you have been a big part in my hardest journey so far (infertility and now motherhood) and I want to be a part of yours.
Watching what you are going through makes my stuff seem trivial. I have started looking at things lighter and making most of those that matter. I hug my daughter more, I tell my husband I love him, I take time for friends and family when before I would be too busy. I realize that my life will go on if I can't get that new purchase. I realized what life means.
I tell my friends all about you, I used to shy away from speaking about my 'internet friends' cause I felt like a dork - now I proudly show off your blog to show everyone how strong you are, and I can't wait till my Team Tiffany shirt arrives so I can boast even more.
You have got the fight in you, and you have so much love to pick you up if you fall.
Tiffany, I am one of those friends of a friend, I'm a friend of Melissa M. We've never met, we live in different states, but from what I've learned from this blog I would love to met you, I feel like I already know you. I've laughed and cried at your posts and I've though many times of commenting, but always thought it might seem creepy to have a stranger writing, but now seems like the right time to introduce myself.
ReplyDeleteYou inspire me daily to be as strong like you, to fight like you do and to be as confident as you come across. I know there are times you are scared but know that there are so many people out here praying for you.
Tiffany! I have always admired your intellect - we did vote for the same presidential candidate! and the same tile for our kitchens! :) - your organizational skills - your ability to manage money (I have no doubt you have a great plan to manage the finances of your treatment) - how you love Chris and your kids - talent (i love your t-shirts, especially MNO 2009!) - your faith and courage - your sense of humor and great laugh! - your technology skills! - and your fighting spirit!!!
ReplyDeleteLove -
Terri David
Funny, energetic, creative, loving, caring, witty, strong, determined, goal oriented, intelligent, survivor, persistent.
ReplyDeleteMay God's peace and comfort rain down on you!
Rebecca
Tiffany you are AWESOME and HUMAN all rolled in to one.
ReplyDeleteTiffany you are my step-sister-in-law. Better yet, you are my sister in Christ, which is even a stronger bond. I've always seen you as a strong person, and through this all I've still seen you as a strong fighter. We're always praying for your healing.
ReplyDelete--Wendy
Courageous. Or maybe just strong.
ReplyDeleteTiffany,
ReplyDeleteWhile we are just recent "friends" I can say that word confidently. A person instantly becomes comfortable and at ease around you. Funny, strong, loving, creative and a Winner. These are all words I would use to describe you. WE will beat this - you and your Whole Team ... it grows larger everyday and will be beside you the whole way. One suggestion for your blog ... you need to add the song "You got a friend in me" from Toy Story. Cause you do now!! Have a friend in me :)
You are my step-sister who has also been my friend for almost 20 years now! You are strong, smart, talented & beautiful. You are a great mom who throws your kids super great birthday parties! You are a fighter. You are so encouraging & want to make a difference, even though you would have every right to totally just be selfish right now instead. You are REAL ~ you are just YOU, and you don't try to be somebody that you're not.
ReplyDeleteYou...are hope. You are inspiration, love and life itself. You are a friend. You are real all the way down deep inside and you have the capacity to channel God's love like no other I have met. As far as you've allowed me to see, the only darkness in you is the cancer. Your acceptance of knowing that the future is taken care of is your testimony. Thank you for the honor of being in your life and your being in mine.
ReplyDeleteHi Tiffany, I know I am bit delayed on getting to this but I am catching up. I must say that the girls and I wear our Team Tiffany shirts allot because I like to provoke conversation about you and of course promote the blog/store. I say you are a beautiful force of nature. You are an amazing combination of strength and spirit. I say you are a child of God and I say you have allot of fight in you. I also morn for the fact that you are so young and dealing with such an aggressive cancer at only 33! I will state medical facts and encourage women to be proactive in their own care/prevention... which is where you have touched my heart the most. I love that you post on hump day for your women friends to feel their humps. I love that you tell women the right way to do a self exam and to NOT rely on their husbands to "find" something. I love that you do all of this while you are facing your own breast cancer fight, facing the doctors, the chemo, the uncertainty, the grieving... through it all you still post. I stand in awe of you and hold you in prayer. I pray that God fills you with His Holy Spirit and comforts you through it all.
ReplyDelete"I know the plans I have for you, declares the Lord.... plans to give you hope and a future" Jeremiah 29:11