The C word....

I heard the C word for the first time, many years ago but it was so distant, so unrelated to me, it barely phased me.

I heard the C word again a few years later but this time from someone I knew, one of my aunts. She had the C word and we lost her to the C word.

Throughout my teens and young adulthood, I heard about the C word may times, again quite distant. "It will never happen to me" were probably some of the thoughts that crossed my mind....

But I had just turned 23 when it happened. I was alone, thousands of miles away from my family and loved ones, and the C word made an appearance in my life. It was sometime in October of 2004 when I first found out that I had Cancer. Since then, I've had three surgeries, two radiation treatments, and year round check-ups with countless doctors and medical professionals. I'm pretty sure I see some of them more than I see my friends. It's pretty freaking insane to live with cancer. You tell your story over and over and over....until you sound like a broken record.

And then, for a little while, things settled down (finally!). And I got married, we had a kid, we bought a house (not necessarily in that order). We lived in our house for a while. Then, we left the middle of nowhere and moved to a faux city. We had new careers. Sold our old house. Life Was Happening!!

And just when I thought that things were finally OK; that I didn't have to worry about it anymore, cancer strikes again with a vengeance! The news I heard a few weeks ago still linger....recurrence......metastasis......surgery.......

I was scared...... I just wanted to curl up and cry for a very long time. But I needed to get my ish together. In my book, you either go big or go home.

Life has constantly thrown curve balls at me and somehow I've always managed to hit them. Well, bring it on cancer!!!! I'm a fighter and am ready to fight you once more!!!! I've kicked your ass three times, I'm sure as hell I will do it again!!!!

Jumping on the blog bandwagon...with no helmet!

Don't we always end up doing everything we once swore we'd never do? I don't know if it is that I reached that age when you have to write everything down so you don't forget about it; or that I need another hobby. But here I am, writing my first blog post.  

But where are my manners?!?! (Ha! If you know me, you probably know they are non-existent.). I haven't even introduced myself!!! 

I am Laura (duh!), educator and technologist by trade, wife to a die hard San Diego Chargers fan and first time mami to a spirited little girl. I was born, raised, and educated through college in Puerto Rico and self exiled to Iowa almost 10 years ago to pursue graduate studies. I recently relocated to Indianapolis to start a new career. I am a fashionista, avid crafter, elaborate event planner, amateur photographer, foodie, and chef wannabe. 

In my free time, I spend time with the familia and amigos, I cook really yummy foods (most of the time), I take pictures, I travel to Puerto Rico and Iowa (and everywhere in between) to visit family and friends, I make bows and headbands for my daughter, I plan DIY projects that I seldom start or finish, I go out to eat really yummy food at local eateries, I drink wine and craft beers, and I enjoy exploring the city and surroundings with my trusty hubs, loving daughter, and mama tribe. 

And, well, this is my blog. I'll write, hopefully often, about....anything and everything my heart desires and then some more. So, tag along, I'll try not to disappoint.