🌞 August on My Mind – It’s Full of Sunshine of Mine 🌻

Hello, light. Hello, might. You’re here to stay—to keep me strong and hold me tight ☀️💪.

No one is invisible to cancer. But I did the unthinkable: I finished chemo. My surgery has healed. The battle scars remain—but they are worn with pride 🩺✨.

This month marks the beginning of a new chapter: A calendar filled with doctor’s appointments, physical therapy, family bonding, and renewed physical activity.

Please come with me as I journey through this month of health infamy—where healing meets momentum, and sunshine meets strength 🌻🧘‍♀️.

🌞 August 2, 2025 — Off to an ER Visit… Not a Great Start

The first weekend of August came with a rough forecast. The air quality was so poor that Kare 11 issued a weather alert 🚨—warning people with health issues to stay indoors. But here I was, thinking I was invincible 😅. I just wanted to step outside, walk through my backyard, say hi to my flowers 🌸, and soak up some vitamin D ☀️.

It was warm, sunny, and dry. You could smell the smoke in the air. I stayed in the backyard, resting under our sunshade, listening to music 🎶 while working on my blog. We had dinner, settled in for the night, and I fell asleep peacefully.

Then, around 3:00 a.m., I woke up thirsty and craving warm apple cider 🍎☕ to soothe my stomach. As I got up, I felt a sharp chest pain—right over my heart. It felt like something was stuck in my veins. I told myself, It’s probably nothing, and went back to bed. But by 4:00 a.m., the pain returned. I walked around the house hoping it would pass… but it didn’t.

After everything I’ve been through these past few months, I’ve learned to listen to my body. That instinct has saved me from walking in the shadows of cancer 🖤. So I called the triage nurse line and described what I was feeling. She said, You need to go to the ER. We want to rule out a heart or lung embolism, especially since you’re still recovering from chemo and surgery.

I woke up Jacob and let Mike continue his tea time 🍵, hoping this wasn’t serious. I’ve had my share of ER visits—but you never know.

At the hospital, they whisked me in for an EKG to check my heart rhythm ❤️. I was triaged and taken to an ER room. The doctor was kind and reassuring. She ordered a blood panel and a CT scan to investigate further.

After a few hours of waiting, she returned with good news:🧪 My bloodwork looked normal🫀 No signs of embolism🧠 CT scan showed nothing concerning in the heart area

She had already spoken with my oncology team, and since I wasn’t in distress and all tests looked good, I was cleared for discharge. 🙏

Not exactly the sunny start I hoped for this August—but I’m grateful for caution, clarity, and care. 💚

🌞 August 3, 2025 — No ER Can Knock Me Down

After a good night’s sleep, I woke to a beautiful day. Peeking out the window, I saw the sunshine shining through our backyard — the perfect time to plant the gifts my friends had given me. 🌱 Not only would it keep me occupied, but it would also get me moving.

I worked in the yard, proud to place each plant exactly where it belonged — right next to the tree trunk we had to cut down beside our house. If we hadn’t, that tree could have fallen and crushed our home 2 years ago. Quite symbolic, isn’t it? 🌳 The new plants now growing there serve as a reminder that my friends have been with me through it all, witnessing my strength and resilience. These hostas represent life, growth, and the ability to overcome. 💚

I know I’ve become a little more dramatic and poetic these days, but going through so much has made me deeply appreciative of things I once overlooked. Even the smallest details now carry meaning, adding depth to the way I see the world. ✨

🌞 August Moments: Cupcakes, Carwashes & Cul-de-sac Courage

August 5–8, 2025Three days, three small victories. A carwash, a cul-de-sac stroll, and a food truck incline. Each one reminded me: healing isn’t linear, but it’s happening.

🧼 August 5 – Carwash & National Night Out

Ten days out from chemo and just a few days past my ER visit—so far, I’m doing fine... I guess I’m the only one who can stop myself from doing anything.

While Mike was out golfing, I decided to go to Costco, grab a few groceries, and pick up cupcakes for National Night Out. I kept going back and forth—should I go or not? Mike said, “It’s up to you,” which, knowing him, meant he didn’t really want to go either 😂.

After shopping, I thought, I want to wash the car—it’s been a while. So I did. Just a few minutes of peace. I don’t know what it is about car washes... maybe the sound, the foam, or the colorful lights 🌈.

I was still feeling the chemo side effects—bone pain (especially in my back), slow walking, and the ever-present chemo brain fog. But even with the fog and the pain, I found myself doing the things that make me feel alive. Walking, even if it takes me minutes to get where I want to be. Who’s watching, anyway?

We ended up going to the Night Out, and it was so nice to meet and greet neighbors we’d never talked to before. It felt good—and it was my first time walking that far in our cul-de-sac since my diagnosis 🏡. We said goodbye to the new folks we met, and with Mike around, we maxed out at 15 minutes at the party 😂.

🥬 August 7 – Friends with Green Benefits

Grace and Mayet messaged that they were coming over—and bringing fresh veggies from the farmers market to cook and savor together 🥕🍆🐟. Sure enough, they arrived with corn, kangkong, eggplants, green beans, pompano fish, and I made adobo squid! These were some truly sumptuous dishes, and best of all, my stomach didn’t complain.

I’m so thankful for my friends 💚. While we were chatting, full from our meal, I decided to show them my incision to help validate that it was healing. They both agreed it looked good—though there was still some glue left. And then, in true friendship fashion, Mayet and Grace kindly cleaned it for me. Who does that? My friends do. 🫶

🚚 August 8 – Food Truck Festival & Brownie Betrayal

It was Friday. After Mike played golf, he asked what I wanted to do. I told him I wanted to go to the Food Truck Festival. In the back of my mind I wondered, Will I make it through the walk? This would be my endurance test.

It was a muggy afternoon, but thankfully not raining ☁️. We parked about ¼ mile from the festival—no closer spots available. The walk there was downhill, which helped. As usual, Mike waited patiently while I moved slowly.

There were tons of trucks but not many people yet—it was still early. I zeroed in on the Paella truck and ordered the Chicken & Seafood Paella 🍤🐔. Mike and I shared it... and honestly? It was just okay. I won’t be paying $24 for that again 😅.

Next stop: the Greek food truck. We grabbed a gyro sandwich to-go for Jacob—he loves those 🥙. As the crowd grew, we decided to head home. But first... brownie temptation struck 🍫. We ordered two: one with nuts and one rocky road.

The walk back to the car? Brutal. I kept thinking, Why, why, why? It felt like a full mile. My knees were shaking, it was hot, and I almost couldn’t make it up the incline. I was this close to asking Mike to carry me or just pick me up later 😂. But the miracle is—I made it. Slowly, but I did it 💪.

Once home, we dove into the brownies. And as a self-proclaimed brownie connoisseur... I declare: this was a cake in disguise. Justice for real brownies! 😒

Paella

🌞 August 12, 2025 Growing... and it came out!

Woke up early this morning—Mike was already up and buzzing, prepping for his tee time. I made him coffee, and he asked, “Can you make me the special coffee?” ☕ He swears it gives him the energy boost he needs for 18 holes. This has quietly become our little ritual: every time he plays golf, I make his special brew.

But today, he didn’t just want coffee—he wanted a change. He asked if I’d come with him to play or at least hit a few balls at the range. I said yes. Almost two weeks out from chemo... what could go wrong?

Stepping out into the morning light 🌿, the greens glowed under the sun’s gentle touch. The breeze kissed my face, and the crisp air filled my lungs—it felt so good to just be outside. Mike showed me a few swings while I took videos (he loves watching his form 📹). Then it was my turn. He gave me a quick lesson, and I swung a few times. I felt a little winded, but it was worth it. Holding the club, feeling the motion—it reminded my arms they’re still strong. I even hit a few! And I was proud of that 💪.

first time in a while hitting the golf balls

After practice, I left Mike and did a little shopping 🛍️ before heading home. Later, I picked him up and we went out for lunch. We ended up at Crisp & Green—I wanted to try a new salad spot. Their selection was great, and I ordered a Caesar salad 🥗.

Mid-chew, I felt something sharp on my gum. I ignored it at first, thinking it was a seed. But after lunch, I touched it... wiggled it... and sure enough—it was a tooth! 😳 I showed Mike, both of us baffled. I called my oncology triage team, and they referred me to my dentist, reminding me that any procedure needs to be coordinated with them.

Thankfully, my dentist was able to see me two days later. She’s amazing. She explained that the tooth had been visible in my X-ray from a year ago—it was tucked right in the middle, and apparently decided now was the time to emerge. What a relief! I thought it was some bizarre post-chemo surprise. 🦷

She asked to take a 3D X-ray to make sure the tooth wasn’t attached to any others. It wasn’t. So we agreed to schedule an extraction—after she gets more details from my oncology team. She wants to be sure my immune system is strong enough to recover safely.