✨ March 2025 – Nora’s Ovary Reckoning: A Series of Unfortunate and Fortunate Events 🎭 🌪️⚖️ 🌈

At one point this month, in the middle of all the fun and laughter, I paused and thought:“I’m doing great. I’m having fun. But… I don’t actually feel well.” 😅

Life felt too good to be true—so what was next? Well, my stomach was bothering me more than usual, and out of nowhere, the spotting just wouldn’t stop. My period wasn’t the same. I felt self-conscious, uneasy, and quietly alarmed. 😬

That moment became the first step down my own yellow brick road—a winding path of both unfortunate and fortunate events. 🌪️➡️🌈It was the beginning of something I couldn’t ignore anymore. 🧠

✨ March 1, 2025 – Up and Down We Go! 🎢

We kicked off March with the MN Polar Plunge at Lake Nokomis—and wow, it was cold! 🥶Luckily, we snagged a good parking spot and made our way toward the plunge. I weaved through the crowds while Mike came along, though—as usual—he can’t really handle packed spaces. 😬

We watched a few brave souls dive into the icy lake 🌊, including one guy who rode his bike straight into the water like it was some kind of stunt show! 🚴‍♂️💦

After the plunge, Mike and I decided to walk the trail. But barely half a mile in, I was gasping for breath 😮‍💨 and struggling to keep up—he kept having to wait for me. On the way back, I desperately needed a bathroom break. Thank goodness for the porta-potty! 🚽🙏

As we returned to the event, we stumbled upon the St. Paul Bouncing Team—they were launching people into the air from a human trampoline! 🤸‍♀️🎪How could I miss that? I jumped in line before it got too long. This wasn’t even on my bucket list… but now it is! ✅

It was nerve-racking. I saw Mike’s worried face 😟 and almost asked him to take a video, but then a kind woman offered to film it for me. Of course, I said yes! 🎥💃

As they tossed me into the air, I felt my stomach flip and gasped for air 😵‍💫. Climbing off that trampoline, I was breathless—but laughing. It was so much unexpected fun! Highly recommend… if you don’t have a tumor in your body! 😅

✨ March 2, 2025 – Nora’s Sweet Maple Ovary 🍁💛

It was a crisp late-winter day—cold, yes, but so sunny you just wanted to soak it in and walk with the moment. 🌞❄️

We started with Sunday breakfast and decided to try Waumpack’s, a cozy diner about 15 minutes from home. I ordered two blueberry pancakes 🫐🥞—but let’s be honest, I only managed one. The portion was huge! Mike had his usual: ham and eggs with spinach, plus a side of bacon and more ham. 🥓🍳 We were stuffed!

Next stop: the maple syrup event at a nearby nature preserve. 🍁As soon as I stepped out of the car, I was chasing the sun—it was freezing! 😂 They had a viewing area where you could watch the syrup-making process and sample maple products like sugar maple. I tried a taste—it was good, but not too sweet. 😋

We listened to a short lecture about how maple trees only grow in certain parts of the country 🌲🗺️, followed by a live demo of how to harvest syrup. It was surprisingly fun and fascinating! 🎓🪚

After the demo, we headed down the trail for a walk. What a beautiful way to enjoy the sunshine. But as we climbed uphill, oh my goodness—I could barely make it to the overlook! 😮‍💨 Mike, of course, was ahead of me the whole time. 🏃‍♂️

We went home after the hike, just wanting to savor the last little bit of Sunday. 🛋️🍂

Later, our group chat started buzzing 📱—they wanted to know when I was free for dinner. And I could tell… behind the scenes, they were planning a “surprise” (but not-so-surprise) birthday dinner. 🎉🎂 My friends are the best!

Would you like to add a visual trail map or a little “symptom vs. joy” chart to show how your body was feeling during all this sweetness? I can help you build it with soft tones and icons.

We listened to a short lecture about how maple trees only grow in certain parts of the country 🌲🗺️, followed by a live demo of how to harvest syrup. It was surprisingly fun and fascinating! 🎓🪚

✨ March 3, 2025 – Nora’s Ovary Reckoning 🩺💔🌪️

This day is hard to describe—it started as a blur. I got up, got ready for work, and pushed through even though I wasn’t feeling well. 😔 I had a deadline to meet, and I told myself I’d power through. “Data gets old by the day,” I said.

Mike had gone golfing—the course opened early this season thanks to the nice weather. ⛳☀️

By the end of the day, I was exhausted. I was gasping for air, my stomach felt bloated, and I was deeply uncomfortable. 😮‍💨 So I logged into our benefits site and started a chat with an online nurse. The conversation went back and forth. I told her:

“My stomach is really bloated. I have spotting, frequent urination, shortness of breath, and I can’t sleep because I’m so uncomfortable.” 😵‍💫

Her conclusion: “You need to go to urgent care—now.” 🚨

Before I left, I messaged my coworker:

“I’m not feeling well. I’m heading to urgent care. ”She replied: “Okay, keep me posted. Hope everything’s okay.” 🙏

As I walked to the garage, I felt confused—rushing, forgetting things, circling back around the house. Mike had just arrived. I told him, “I’m going to urgent care. I’m not feeling well, but it’s probably just heartburn or constipation. Maybe pre-menopause.” 🤷‍♀️

He asked if I wanted him to come. I said no—I’d probably be back in an hour.

As I got out of the car at the clinic, Jacob called. He wanted to check on me and drove over to meet me. 🚗💨

When I saw the doctor, I explained my symptoms: bloating, shortness of breath, tenderness. He ordered a pregnancy test (I laughed—“I’m not pregnant!” 😂), an X-ray, and blood tests.

After a few minutes, he returned with curious eyes.

“Nora, your X-ray shows a large void in your abdomen. Your organs are pushed to the side.” 😳

I stared at the image.

“This isn’t just gas or heartburn? ”“No,” he said. “It looks like fluid or something oval-shaped. We can’t even see your lungs clearly.”

He told me I needed to go to the ER immediately for a CT scan. 🏥

I hesitated—thinking about insurance, deductibles, and how I’d always considered myself healthy. But here I was.

Jacob was waiting for me outside. I told him, “They found something strange. I need to go to the ER.” We drove separately and met again at the hospital.

I checked in, got triaged again, and they ordered a CT scan. As they wheeled me over, I was breathless but still able to walk. They scanned my abdomen, and Jacob and I waited in the reception area for over an hour. ⏳

I messaged my siblings, Ely and Jescel, in our group chat and sent them a photo to keep them in the loop. 📱💬

Finally, the nurse called us into a dimly lit triage room. I sat in the chair, Jacob beside me. After a few minutes, the doctor arrived. I heard chatter from the hallway as he approached.

He introduced himself (I can’t remember his name) and apologized for the delay.

“I was waiting on your CT scan results and reading,” he said. Then he went straight to it:

“Your abdominal CT shows a large mass—22.4 cm—arising from the pelvis, likely from the ovary or fallopian tube. It has enhancing papillary projections and is suspicious for primary ovarian or tubal malignancy.” 🧬🩸, I was in shock..

He made an urgent referral to gynecologic oncology. I could wait for their call or contact them first thing in the morning.

I couldn’t believe what I was hearing. Jacob was right there with me.

“Wait… a mass? A cyst? Or a tumor? ”He couldn’t confirm—it was up to oncology. But just hearing the word “oncology” made me freeze. I started crying. I couldn’t help it. 😢

I was sobbing—almost speechless. The doctor gave us a moment. Jacob hugged me and said, “It’s going to be okay.” 💔🤗

Jacob drove me home. When I got there, Mike was asleep—it was nearly 11 p.m. He woke up around midnight, and I told him what the doctor said. I showed him the paperwork.

Mike couldn’t process it. He stared at me in disbelief. I was still in shock myself—like I was floating in some kind of la-la land. 🌫️

🌸 Blog Highlight: The Discovery✨ March 3, 2025 – Nora’s Ovary Reckoning

“I thought it was just heartburn. Or maybe stress. But my body had been whispering for months—and on this day, it finally screamed.” 💬

✨ March 4, 2025 – Aftermath of the Tumor Discovery 🩺💬🌪️

The day after my ER visit, I called the M Health Fairview Cancer Center, specifically Dr. Colleen Rivard’s office, to confirm whether they’d received my referral. They told me it had been marked as an emergency referral. 🚨

I asked, “What’s the earliest you can get me in? ”They replied, “We can see you at 12:00 PM today, if you’re able to come. ”Everything was happening so fast. ⏱️

I worked that morning until my appointment. I let my manager and coworker know I’d be leaving at noon to find out what was really going on inside me—was it a cyst or a tumor? 🤷‍♀️

Mike came with me. I remember walking into the room and seeing Dr. Rivard’s face—her smile reminded me of my mother’s. Her eyes were warm and reassuring, and her tone was confident and clear. 👩‍⚕️💛

She showed me my CT scan and began explaining the types of ovarian cancer:

1. Epithelial Ovarian Cancer

2. Germ Cell Tumor

3. Stromal Cell Tumor

Based on the scan, she suspected it might be an epithelial tumor or cyst, but couldn’t confirm until surgery and a biopsy were performed. 🧬

The first priority is to remove the tumor or cyst to relieve my symptoms and address the growing mass. This will be done through an exploratory laparotomy—a surgical procedure involving the removal of the uterus, cervix, ovaries, and fallopian tubes. 🏥✂️

Once the biopsy results are in, we’ll discuss cancer staging, depending on what they find during the debulking procedure.

As we talked through everything, I remember saying,

“Good thing I already have a baby boy.” 👶It was a strange mix of gratitude and shock—I was still trying to process what I was hearing.

After meeting with Dr. Rivard, her care coordinator Val walked us through the surgery prep. We reviewed everything I’d need to do before the procedure.

When we got home, I messaged my manager to share the diagnosis and let her know that surgery was scheduled for next week. 🗓️

Her reaction mirrored mine—disbelief. But she supported the plan: I’d take time off starting the day before surgery. I estimated I’d return to work by late April, and would continue working up until the procedure. 💻🧠

📱 Around this time, I video-called my brother Ely and Jescel. As soon as I saw their faces, I started crying—I was scared. I told them I still couldn’t believe what was happening to me, and how much I wished Mama was still around. 😢

All three of us cried together. Then Ely said,

“Everything’s going to be okay. You’re very strong—just like Mama.” 💪💛And Jescel added,“ Stay strong. We’ll be praying for you.” 🙏

Flowers from Sarah

✨ March 5, 2025 – Friends Video Call 📱😭💕

Our group chat had been buzzing with updates and dinner plans over the past few days. They kept asking when I’d be free to meet up, not realizing I’d been going to doctor’s appointments and had just been diagnosed with a tumor. 🩺

Instead of replying to each message individually, I created a new group chat and decided to video call them. I needed to tell them what the heck was going on—face to face. 💻📞

When everyone joined the call, I remember Jane was still at work. Before I could even speak, I started bawling. I couldn’t hold back my emotions—it was fresh, it was raw, and it was real. 😭

I’ll never forget the look on their faces—shock and disbelief. I told them about the diagnosis and the upcoming surgery. I joked that they’d been living in “la-la land,” unaware of what I’d been going through. 😵‍💫

As I spoke, I could see the wheels turning in their minds—figuring out how they could help. And they did. Every step of the way, they showed up for me. 💖🫶

Care Package from Friends

✨ March 12, 2025 – Settling Your Affairs Before Going Downhill 📄🧘‍♀️💔

This was an emotional day for me. I tried to stay calm and meditate 🧘‍♀️, but I was still in shock mode—processing the reality that I was about to undergo major surgery. 😔

As I mentioned in my prep meeting with Val, one of the things she brought up was the need to create a will and health care directives. 📋

I waited until the day before my surgery. During my lunch break, I finally sat down and started drafting these documents. It felt strange—almost surreal. A rude awakening. 😶

As I listed the people to include in my will and testament, I felt a wave of emotion. It was morbid, yes—but also a reality check. It made me cry. It made me reflect. 😢

The health care directive was especially hard. If I were to become incapacitated, I’d be leaving those decisions to my loved ones. 💔 According to the paper I wrote that day, they’d be the ones to speak for me.

It was heavy. It was uncomfortable. But it needed to be done.

✨ March 13, 2025 – D-Day: Nora’s Ovary 🏥💉💔

I woke up so early to begin prepping my body for surgery. I took a shower 🚿, sipped some tea 🍵 and water 💧—then the countdown began: six hours before surgery, no food or liquids allowed. ⏳

We arrived at MN Ridges Hospital in Minneapolis around noon. Mike and Jacob waited in the lobby while I checked in for pre-op: bloodwork, blood pressure, all the usual steps. 🧪💓

As they prepped me, I started having palpitations. I couldn’t breathe. I was panicking. 😰 The nurse called for help—maybe even a Code Blue, thinking I was having a heart attack. I begged the doctor to let me walk, but they wouldn’t allow it until my EKG results came back. Sure enough, it was a panic attack. 💥

They called Mike and Jacob in, and finally let me walk around for a few minutes before surgery. That helped. 🙏

A different nurse took over—she was so kind. Then two doctors came in, followed by the anesthesiologist, who introduced himself and reassured me he’d take care of me. 🧑‍⚕️💬

Two more nurses arrived—I wish I remembered their names—and began prepping me. One said, “I’m going to put something in your IV to help you relax.” 💉 Another asked me to lie down in bed. And then—bam—I don’t remember anything for the next few hours. 🫠

I vaguely recall someone calling my name: “Nora… Nora… Nora…”I was completely out of it. They said, “We’re going to transfer you to another bed and move you to the recovery room.” 🛏️

I could feel a bit of my body—something raw in my stomach. I was dazed. Once in the room, two nurses were busy transferring me again to the bed I’d be in for the next five days. 🛌

One of them said, “She needs an abdominal binder—it’ll help with the wound and support healing.” 🩹 I just stared at them, terrified to see my stomach. I kept wondering what kind of Frankenstein stitches had been done to me. 🧵😳

As they tried to settle me down, one nurse asked about my pain. I said, “Yes, I’m in pain.” She gave me medication, and her CNA even made me laugh. 😅

I was holding myself together—barely—because of the stitches. But hey… she made me laugh after surgery. That’s a milestone already. 🎉

✨ March 14–17, 2025 – Day 1 After Nora’s Ovary Imploded

I drifted in and out of consciousness when my recovery nurse walked into the room—tall, with a semi-mohawk and a serious look on his face. He finally introduced himself: “I’m Lars, your recovery nurse.” 🩺

Lars was incredibly methodical. He checked my vitals, asked how I was feeling, and whether I had any pain. He reminded me to blow into the spirometer every hour to help expand my lungs after surgery. I’ll never forget when he said:

“Nora, I’m going to be a bad nurse—I’ll ask you to stand up and walk around as much as possible. It’s very important to get out of bed and move.”

I said, “Okay, I’ll stand now to make sure I stay mobile.” It was hard. I could barely get out of bed, but Lars helped me and watched as I slowly walked around the room. 🚶‍♀️

I felt depressed—my body, especially my abdominal area, seemed to have stopped functioning. During one of his check-ins, I asked about the findings from my surgery. He gently said:

“They might have found a little bit of cancer in your ovary. I’ll let the doctor know you asked.”

A wave of mixed emotions hit me. I said, “I’m going to die… Good thing I already have a child, because I don’t have an ovary anymore.”

Lars asked, “Nora, do you want to talk to someone? We have a Chaplain here at the hospital. ”I replied, “Not right now. If I talk to the Chaplain, I’ll feel like I’m confessing my sins and dying.” 😔

He smiled and explained that what I’d been through was a lot, and it’s natural to feel this way. “It really does help to talk to someone,” he said.

Lars wasn’t just nursing me back to health—he was listening, holding space, and helping me process everything I was going through. 💙

Later, Mike and Jacob arrived. They were so happy to see me out of surgery and recovering. All they knew was that the mass was gone. 🙏

🛏️ March 15 – Room Transfer & Alexa’s Leap of Faith

Two days later, I was transferred to my hospital recovery room. My morning shift nurse, Alexa, was young, slender, and petite. I’ll never forget calling for help to use the bathroom. She came in within minutes.

I told her I needed help getting up and explained how to do it—“Grab my husband’s arms and lift me.” As she positioned herself, I looked at her and thought, “OMG… can she even lift me?” 😳

Nervously, I asked, “Can you lift? ”She smiled and said, “Yes, I can lift with my hands. Trust me.”

So I did. I made a leap of faith—and she lifted me with ease, helping me to the bathroom. From that moment on, she was my nurse for the shift. 💪🧼

🌸 March 15 – Friends, Food & Familiarity

My friends came by to visit, bringing so much food, flowers, and a snack basket! 🥣🌷🍪Their plan? To eat together. They brought me soup, and it was so good—an instant comfort to my stomach.

They tried to make me laugh, as always, but I was still feeling doozy from the surgery. 😵‍💫

✅ March 17 – Discharge Day

After completing my occupational therapy and checking off all the milestones, I was discharged on March 17, 2025. I was finally ready to continue healing at home. 🏡✨

Finally home March 17, 2025 , afternoon

✨ March 17-19 , 2025 – The Implosion Continued… What’s Next, Nora? 🚑💥🩺

Mike came to the hospital early in the morning, excited and ready. He said he’d prepped our SUV so I could lie down in the back with pillows and blankets—just like a hospital bed. 🛻🛏️ I couldn’t sit up or bend my stomach because it hurt too much. Even walking, I could feel the stitches pulling. 😣

I was discharged around 2:00 PM. I remember Mike wheeling me out and parking me near a bench while he retrieved the car from street parking. It was a chilly afternoon, but I was dressed for it. ❄️🧥

He helped me gently settle into the back of the SUV. As I lay there, looking up at the clouds, it felt good just to be outside again. ☁️💭

Finally—we were home. 🏡Getting out of the car was a struggle. I needed my walker; I couldn’t stand on my own yet. Climbing two flights of stairs was slow and painful. I settled into bed, rolling in carefully and slowly. Everything felt like slow motion. 🐢

But just as I lay down, I needed to use the bathroom. And that continued—every 15 to 30 minutes, all through the night. 😵‍💫 I felt pressure every time I peed. I managed to get some sleep, but woke up around 4 AM, still needing to go constantly.

By morning, the pain escalated. It wasn’t just discomfort—it felt like labor pains, coming in waves. I called the triage nurse and said,

“I’m in so much pain I think I’m going to pass out!” 😖

Nurse Carla told me to call 911 immediately. Mike and Jacob jumped into action. Jacob called 911, and within minutes, a firetruck arrived. 🚒 Two EMTs came in and assessed me, but I was delirious from the pain.

When the ambulance EMTs arrived, they gave me a pain shot to help manage it. It helped—but the pain wasn’t going away. They carried me in a wheelchair, transferred me to a stretcher, and off we went to MN Ridgeview ER in Minneapolis. 🚑

The ER was packed. One of the admission nurses suggested I sit in a triage chair, but I said:

“No—I can’t sit. I’m in too much pain, and my stomach incision is only a few days old!” 😩

Thankfully, they let me stay on the stretcher and wheeled me to a corner of the ER. I was in agony. Nurse Kate came by and said, “I’ll be right there.” I was nearly crying. She checked on me, and I told her I might pass out from the pain. She gave me more pain medication, but the pain came back with a vengeance. 🔥

I asked for ice packs—on my stomach, pelvic area, and between my legs. She did it all. Then she grabbed my IVs, checked my blood pressure, oxygen, and vitals. 🧊💉

Then she did something brilliant—she grabbed a portable ultrasound. She scanned my stomach and bladder. Her eyes widened in disbelief. She even asked a coworker if the machine was broken. 😳

She scanned again. It was real—my bladder was severely distended, full of fluid it couldn’t release.

“Nora, I know what’s going on,” she said.“ I’m going to administer a catheter to drain your bladder.” 🩺

She left briefly to find a private room, then returned with a nurse assistant. They inserted the catheter and drained 1,600 mL immediately. Then again. In total: 2.6 liters. 💧💧💧

The relief was instant. The pain finally eased. 🙌I had to stay in the hospital for 24 hours for observation. The doctor ordered a CT scan and a few other procedures (which I won’t describe here 😅).

The ER was still packed, but Nurse Kate made sure my bed was parked somewhere quieter. Before her shift ended, she checked on me one last time and asked what I needed. I told her how grateful I was. 🙏

I also told her I was hungry—I hadn’t eaten since the day before. She brought me crackers and water. She’s the best. 🧃🍪

As I lay in the hallway, I realized I was right across from the front door—watching people come and go. It was chaotic. I thought to myself:

“I hope I never have to come back to this hospital.” 😬

Then—a familiar face passed by. It was Lars! He looked at me and said,

“You look familiar… Nora? Why are you here?”

I gave him a quick rundown. Before his shift ended, he dropped off snacks—graham crackers, peanut butter, water. 🥜💙

my ER Hallway room

Later that afternoon, Mike came to pick me up. I was so glad to be home again after that chaotic ER stay. 🏡

The pain was gone, but now I had to carry a catheter around for at least seven days. Not ideal—but I was grateful. Grateful for relief. Grateful for care. Grateful to be home. 💛 Later that night we got a surprise, Luisa and Stuart drop off care basket.

✨ March 21, 2025 – The Dominoes Continue 🩸🚑🍲

Healing from my ER visit was going okay—until early morning around 4:00 AM, when I got up and walked to the kitchen to grab something to drink. And then…Blood. It was coming out of me. I panicked and woke up Mike and Jacob. There was no point in calling the triage nurse—they rushed me straight to M Health Fairview Southdale. 🚗💨

The ER doctor saw me immediately after triage. She ordered a CT scan of my abdomen and pelvis, along with a full blood panel. 🧪 She said she needed to consult my oncology team, since I was only a few weeks post-surgery.

One of Dr. Rivard’s fellows came in to perform a pelvic exam—and it was painful. 😣She explained that the bleeding was likely caused by irritation around my stitches, which was oddly comforting to hear. But to be sure I wasn’t actively bleeding, a physical therapist came by to assess me. They had me walk slowly with a walker, checking for any signs of bleeding. 🚶‍♀️

I was stable enough that they cleared me for discharge. Mike and Jacob picked me up and brought me home. 🏡

🍲 That Night: Food, Friendship & Full Hearts

That evening, my friends came to visit. Their reaction?

“Wait… you just got out of the hospital?” 😳

They brought so much food. Aerin even fed me—chicken tinola, sabaw sa baboy, and lechon kawali. 🐔🍲🥓They stocked my fridge with mangoes, bread, and even made biko. 🥭🍞🍚

But the best part wasn’t the food—it was them. Their presence. Their laughter. Their love. Whether chatting in person or sending messages, they were with me in every way. That’s how strong our friendship bond is. They are good people. 💛👭

We ate. We laughed. Even though my stitches hurt, I got full—and I felt held. That night was healing in its own way. 🌙✨

✨ March 25, 2025 – Nora, You Think This Would End? The Saga Continues 😅🩺💥

Here I am again, healing from surgery. That’s been my focus—getting strong before my next doctor’s appointment so I’m in great shape. 💪

This morning, I got up early because finally—they were removing the catheter. 🙌 Val was there, along with a nurse practitioner from the Urology Department, ready to assist. The removal? Smooth sailing. 🚤But peeing afterward? Not so much. 😣

I felt a burning sensation when I tried to go. They had me pee into a container to measure output and make sure I wasn’t retaining water. I managed to hit just close to the target. Not perfect, but enough. I was so excited—finally free from that thing! 🎉

Mike and I decided to celebrate with some comfort food at Cracker Barrel. We’d had enough of hospital visits for one lifetime. 🥞🍳

🚽 Bathroom Chronicles & Yet Another Twist

When I got home, I started going to the bathroom every 15 to 30 minutes. I thought, My goodness… is something else wrong? What else could possibly go wrong? 😩

I called the triage nurse, and sure enough—she suspected a UTI, which is common after catheter removal. So off I went that afternoon for a urine test. 🧪

The next morning, they called to confirm the infection and prescribed antibiotics. Whew. That was close. 😮‍💨

✨ March 26, 2025 – Nora’s Best News of the Month!

Ovary Tumor Implosion Results Are In! 🎉🩺💛

I needed some good news. The buck had to stop somewhere. And then—out of the blue—I got a call. It was Dr. Rivard. 📞My heart dropped. Please don’t let this be bad news. But I’d been waiting for this call for weeks.

Then she said it:

“Nora, I got the biopsy results. Your cancer is localized to your ovary. That makes it Stage 1. It’s high-grade serous carcinoma, so we’ll need to follow up with adjuvant chemotherapy.”

This was great news. It means the cancer didn’t spread—it stayed confined to the ovary. You can recover from cancer. 💪💛

I was overwhelmed—emotional, relieved, crying. Even hearing the word cancer still shakes me. But now, we’re getting rid of it. Surgery was the first step. To fully recover, I’ll need chemotherapy.

I had a slight suspicion—there were hints in the paperwork they gave me. Still, the word chemo felt alien. When she said,

“I’ll see you in a couple of days to discuss everything” I was just savoring the fact that I can recover. 🌈

Mike was with me. He was panicking in the background, trying to figure out why I was crying. When I told him the news, he was so happy. 🥹He’s been solid these past few weeks—reminding me:

“Life wouldn’t be life without you by my side.” He tells me how much he loves me, how much Jacob and our family need me. 💞

After the call, I shared the news with my family in our group chat. They were overjoyed. My friends cheered. Everyone was relieved. 🎊👨‍👩‍👧‍👦👭