A Year After Ringing the Bell...and the Signs Keep Coming

It’s been a year since I rang the bell ending my breast cancer treatment. September 29th was the day. I spent the anniversary quietly at home, alternating between doing some work and sending up gratitude for having cancer behind me.

Yesterday, September 30th, I planned on spending a similar day. As I eyed October 1st as the first day of breast cancer awareness month, I remembered feeling strange about it last year. Every day there would be a reminder of the days I just recently put an end to, when all I wanted to do was move forward.

But mom needed something, so I showered, slapped on some makeup and styled my ever-changing hair. As long as I was out, I thought I would stop at Home Goods to see if I could snag some more maple coffee I had found for the hubby the the week before.

If you’ve ever been to Home Goods, you’ll be aware of two things:

1. You have to buy something when you see it or it will be gone the next time you come in.

2. Rae Dunn everything.

I have a weakness for Rae Dunn products. The clean ivory, the simple font and the imperfect shapes speak to me. I’m by no means a “Dunn Hunter”… but I have a nice collection. A week ago with mom, we had seen collection of Dunn breast cancer mugs. Various words dotted the pink surfaces…. FIGHTER, HOPE, SURVIVOR. Mom’s eyes lit up at “survivor”, as they tend to do when she hones in on something likely to end up in my cart. But I didn’t feel the need to have one. I’m still dealing with some after effects - and will likely always have some of them - but I’d like to think I’m doing more than just surviving!

Yesterday I arrived at the store and my eyes scanned the shelves. Suddenly I see “Tinker Bell” and “Pixie Magic” in ivory and green. And then - there it is - In opalescent pink…. “PIXIE DUST”. If you’ve read my blogs about my treatment, you’ll know that I’m writing a book about my experience called “Faith, Trust and Pixie Dust”.

My jaw dropped. It should have been a green mug, right? Tinker Bell’s color is green. Nope - there it was. Pink. On a day I hadn’t planned on leaving the house. The day between my bell ringing anniversary and the first day of breast cancer awareness month. Of course it was.

Well, it’s nice to have confirmation that the Pixie Dust is still with me. I can face breast cancer awareness month with a year under my belt, plans for a trip to Niagara with my mom, and untold gratitude for all of it.

Of course I’ll never drink out of this mug. Pink isn’t my aesthetic, but I will fill it with pens and find a way to fit it into my decor. And, in case you’re curious, they didn’t have any of the coffee for my husband. But I guess I was meant to find something other than coffee yesterday.

Should I be writing my book instead of a blog right now? Probably. I think technically I am, as this is one of those “signs” that came through so strongly during my treatment. And this one tells me that all is well.

Almost there…

Things have been blessedly uneventful. Hair and nails are growing. Neuropathy is receding. Radiation has been going smoothly, but I have a pretty good “sunburn” going. The bell will be rung in 3 days.

I’m not one to wear my faith on my sleeve, but here’s a little peek at one of many stories of God’s grace and the synchronicities that have appeared along this road - telling me that everything was going to be alright.

When this all started in January, my brother's family got me a wall plaque that says "God is in her, She will not fall". I have it hanging in a spot in the center of our home where we pass most often. I often touch it as I pass by. I also took a picture of it and made it my lock screen on my phone.

On September 11th I was looking at an online store (one that DOES wear its faith on its sleeve) and wondered if they offered plus sized clothing. So I put "plus" in the search bar.

The photo attached is the ONLY item that showed up “God is within her, she will not fall.” Again. There were other keychains on this site. But this one showed up. Why "plus" brought this one up, I have no idea. What an amazing sign - to match the sign from the beginning of this chapter

As if that wasn’t enough…

A couple days later, I was in South Hills Village. Sometimes when I have some extra time after radiation, I will zip over there to walk some laps. The online store I was searching has a location in that mall. When I saw the store, I thought “I should get that keychain”, I walked in and was directed to one by the register. When I tossed it on the counter the girl said “that was fast!”. And like any secluded Pittsburgher I took the opportunity to tell her the story of my plaque and the online search.

I ended the story with “… and so I had to get this!” Then a woman I hadn’t noticed sidled up to us and added, “and I’m going to buy it for her!”. The girl behind the counter’s eyes were wide as she watched this unfold. Mine were full of tears. I hugged the woman (Covid be damned), the girl put me in the store’s prayer book (that I had no idea that they had), and I left with an offering of kindness from a stranger.

To top that off…

Did you know that Hallmark came out with a survivor’s bell ornament this year? It’s been sitting beside me in my office waiting for the big day. The brass finish of the bell match the brass findings of the keychain. I replaced the simple ribbon that came with the bell with the keychain. They were meant for each other. My husband and I will be bringing them with us so can bring the ring home with us. I will find a place of honor for this in our home

I’ll be ringing the bell in 3 days - September 29, the best Wellness Wednesday ever!