Yesterday my mom had her first chemotherapy treatment. About 99% of you — including some of my close friends — are now saying, “Oh my gosh, I had no idea!!”
Mom and I haven’t been keeping it a secret, but we’ve mostly only talked with a small group of very close friends and family. We both have limited energy reserves right now and we’re learning to conserve them. For a while, we had more questions than answers, so there wasn’t a lot of information to give; then we started getting answers and things began happening very fast.
For the last couple of months, I’ve been on the razor’s edge. Some days I feel like I’m standing in complete faith and trust. Other days I feel like I’m losing my mind and the world might end. Trying to balance that emotional seesaw while also working full time and acting as caretaker has taken its toll on my emotional and physical stamina. Honestly, the fewer people who knew, the fewer phone calls and emails would come in that we had to return. But that sort of isolation only works for so long…and the word will be out officially when Mom becomes hair-free in a couple of weeks.
Ironically, it was just a few days before all of this happened that I decided to take a vacation from the blog. I’m so grateful the timing worked out that way.
Here’s the sign I put on my computer at work the other day — to remind myself that it’s okay to not be Super Woman.
The good news is that Mom is getting amazing care and she’s in good spirits. We’re still laughing a lot and being the crazy, wise-ass girls that we have always been together.
Even so, yesterday was a tough day – long, emotional, and physically draining for us both.
Last night, upon our return from the hospital, I got the most amazing gift in the mail. It was enough to prompt this out-of-the-blue post.
A few months ago, my dear friend Tova Gold, who I’ve mentioned on the Journal before, asked me if I would be a contributor to her “Finding Your Muchness FUNBOOK” (as she says – it’s like a workbook, but FUNNER! 🙂 )
Last night I got my copy of the FUNbook!
The Finding Your Muchness FUNbook – it’s a workbook, only FUNNER!
Lemme tell ya friends — it KICKS ASS!
Tova’s mission in life is to help people find their “muchness.” This book is sparkly, sassy, and all about getting “in touch with the much.” I am honored to be a part of it.
It comes at a perfect time – I can hardly wait to share it with Mom. There are so many things in here that we can do together to lift our spirits on the yucky days.
Tova and I agree that “miracles” and “muchness” are essentially the same thing – it’s just that I do it with words and she does it with sequins! 🙂
There’s a reason that I’m telling you about Mom’s treatments and Tova’s book in the same post…it’s because I know some of you are wondering if there’s something you can do to support Mom and me. Here’s what you can do: start making an even more concerted effort to find the miracles in your life. Start looking for your “Muchness” in every day.
Fear breeds darkness, disharmony, disquiet and disease. Light stamps out fear. The more that each of us follows our Miracles and our Muchness, the more we bring our light into the world. The more light we create – as individuals and as communities – the better off we’ll all be.
So grab a copy of Tova’s book and start your Muchness journey – then come back here and share it with us in the comments. THAT is the way that you can support us on this journey – help keep our spirits up by raising yours!
To those of you who have already been with us over the last couple of months, this is another thank you in a more public forum. Your love and support has been invaluable and we are SO grateful.
To Tova — mazel tov on your big accomplishment. Thanks for letting me be a part of it, and thanks for sending me a copy at the perfect moment in this journey! I love you. 🙂
Grab your copy of “The Finding Your Muchness FUNbook”
by clicking here.
Hey lookie there – that’s my page in The Finding Your Muchness FUNbook!
10 comments
1 ping
Skip to comment form ↓
Adele
December 17, 2013 at 7:52 PM (UTC -5) Link to this comment
LOVE THIS SO MUCH!!! Glad you got home before snow hit and that this gift was waiting for you there.
Much love and see you again soon.
Leah Carey
December 18, 2013 at 8:20 AM (UTC -5) Link to this comment
Thanks for everything, Adele. I was so happy to be able to see you on Monday. Love you!
Tova
December 17, 2013 at 9:20 PM (UTC -5) Link to this comment
Leah- this is beautiful. It means a lot that the book is so meaningful to you at this time… When there is so “little” I can do… I lived this post. Thank you. Thinking of you and ur mom as she begins chemo. Xox
Tova recently posted at their blog…10 Day Muchness Challenge!!
Leah Carey
December 18, 2013 at 8:22 AM (UTC -5) Link to this comment
Oh Tova, you do so MUCH just by being you. Thank you for being a wonderful friend. I’m so proud of you and I can hardly wait to see what happens next! Love you. 🙂
Debra
December 18, 2013 at 12:48 AM (UTC -5) Link to this comment
To my beautiful cousins–one whom I worshipped from childhood and the other whom I have not met–I wish refuse shlema, complete healing. Please accept these lyrics from Debbie Friedman and know you are in my heart.
Mi shebeirach avoteinu
M’kor hab’racha l’imoteinu
May the source of strength,
Who blessed the ones before us,
Help us find the courage to make our lives a blessing,
and let us say, Amen.
Mi shebeirach imoteinu
M’kor habrachah l’avoteinu
Bless those in need of healing with r’fuah sh’leimah,
The renewal of body, the renewal of spirit,
And let us say, Amen
Leah Carey
December 18, 2013 at 8:23 AM (UTC -5) Link to this comment
Thank you so much, Debra. This is beautiful.
Sending you a big hug,
~L
Debra
December 18, 2013 at 12:51 AM (UTC -5) Link to this comment
Sorry for the typo–make that “r’fuah shlema”–damn auto correct!
Mama
December 18, 2013 at 1:18 PM (UTC -5) Link to this comment
My Beloved Leah,
Light, love and many blessings are on the way for both you and mom. I salute you for your courage and honesty as you move through this process. God is Good and Good is God!!!
Your package was mailed yesterday . . . enjoy my love.
In the meantime, create a compassionate holiday season and be kind to those less fortunate among us.
Peace and much love,
Cloris Kylie Stock
December 18, 2013 at 1:59 PM (UTC -5) Link to this comment
Leah, it’s great to hear you’re in such great spirits, even while going through a big life challenge. I’m praying for you and for your mom, and sending her healing energy and love.
Cloris Kylie Stock recently posted at their blog…Why Nullifying Judgment Can Help Us Connect to Others
Lasonya
July 2, 2014 at 10:27 PM (UTC -5) Link to this comment
I see a lot of interesting content on your blog. You have to spend a lot
of time writing, i know how to save you a lot of work, there is a tool that creates unique, google friendly posts in couple
of minutes, just search in google – laranita’s free content source
Lasonya recently posted at their blog…Lasonya
The Miracle Journal | Learning to not be “nice”
June 13, 2014 at 11:49 AM (UTC -5) Link to this comment
[…] has been unlike anything I’ve ever experienced before. It was about seven months ago that my mom received a cancer diagnosis. My world stopped. Completely. This journal that I have kept so lovingly for the last 3 years […]