One day at a time...

*English to follow

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“One day at a time — this is enough. Do not look back and grieve over the past for it is gone; and do not be troubled about the future, for it has not yet come. Live in the present, and make it so beautiful it will be worth remembering.”

And this is how Nathalie is trying to live, one day at a time, but honestly sometimes some days are harder to deal with than others. Yesterday was one of those. After talking to her oncologist, he reiterated the fact that if her new blood test results show that it has moved into her bone marrow, he will start chemotherapy on Monday. When the chosen path of treatment was radiotherapy and hormonal therapy, she felt relieve that she wouldn't have to go through chemo. Hearing him talk about the chemo brought back the unwanted emotions and the fear associated with that. She is working on getting reacquainted with the idea of having the chemo.

I can only try to imagine what is going on through her mind at the moment. Fear. Fear of the unknown. Fear of the side effects. Fear of loosing her hair. As I put these thoughts on paper, I am reminded of the most important thought I have ever heard: "Act in spite of fear" which reminds me of the famous quote from Franklin D. Roosevelt’s 1933 Inaugural Address. “So, first of all, let me assert my firm belief that the only thing we have to fear is fear itself—nameless, unreasoning, unjustified terror which paralyzes needed efforts to convert retreat into advance.”

Fear does not exist in the present. It is based on something that may or may not happen in the future!" Did you get that? It may, or may not happen. So we are afraid of something that has a probability of not happening. Instead of focusing on that, let's focus on the positive and all the good things that can come out of our lives when we move forward.

When I catch myself feeling unsettled about the whole situation, I am peacefully reminded of Nathalie's will to fight, and that keeps me going. I am reminded that she may look like a kitty cat, but she has the courage of a lion. Let's help support her in this time of need that she may feel each and everyone of us supporting her in this battle.

May all of our lives be enriched with the little thinks in our days that make this world a great place to live in.

P.S. To write an email to Nathalie while she is in the hospital, please use withfaithineveryfootstep@gmail.com. I will print the letters and bring it to her or answer any inquiries about Nathalie. I strongly encourage you to send her a card at home. If you do not have her home address, please email me at this same address.