“When life gives you lemons, make lemonade”

Doreen Schmidt
Oct 22, 2024
4 min read

Tuesday, October 22, 2024 - FINAL CHEMO TREATMENT DAY - Hopefully, FOREVER!!!

The proverb “When life gives you lemons, make lemonade” is understood to have been coined by the American writer Elbert Hubbard in 1915. In his obituary of Marshall Pinckney Wilder, one of the most successful vaudeville performers and a favorite of the British royal family, Hubbard wrote that the actor achieved greatness despite the challenges of being born with dwarfism: “He picked up the lemons that fate had sent him and started a lemonade stand.” (from Kinfolk.com)

I love that quote - because it's so true - a lot of crap can hit us at any time in our lives. Some of it can completely change our lives permanently. You can map out your life and plan to a "T", but it doesn't stop shit from coming your way. So, when that sour shit hits, do things to make it sweet. :) And that's why I don't stop living and I don't stop planning. Having to pivot and make changes to adjust are just part of life now.

I'm often reminded of that quote by my bestie, Amanda, so I'm dedicating this post to her. She gets me, ha ha, as you'll see in the following pics. She always makes me feel normal and not like a cancer/chemo patient, and we relate to so many things on so many levels. We vent to each other, laugh at stupid shit and cry about devastating shit. We can also sit in a room and watch tv and look at our phones and barely speak to each other all at the same time. LOL that's friendship!

Treatment went well today. Despite being very busy at the clinic, my nurse moved me through my infusions quite quickly! At least it felt that way for a change :). I was asked recently if I was excited to be almost done. I'm not sure I'd use the word "excited" ... because it's a horrible process but "anxious" would be a good word. Anxious to be done and anxious get back to some sort of normalcy.

I have a lot more to do in the meantime and going forward ... I meet with my oncologist in 2 weeks to talk about endocrine therapy, I have a "survivorship" appt in December to discuss what I need to do to going forward to help me with lifestyle changes and to hopefully prevent recurrence, I have reconstruction surgery at the end of December and, of course, a continuation of my holistic therapies going forward indefinitely that includes chiropractic care, acupuncture, massage, IV therapies, and more (I learned today that 64% of breast cancer patients in the US use this holistic approach during and after chemo!) These will help the biggest issue I face ... STRESS.

Stress can kill. And that is a fact. I've struggled with anxiety and depression most of my life. This time in my life has forced me to take a step back and examine my life and it's biggest stressors. I've taken on WAY too much out of obligation and I can't do that anymore. I have had to taper back my office hours for my business and, unfortunately, be choosier on who to take on as new clients (existing clients - you will ALWAYS be taken care of!). I have found that tapering back has decreased my stress significantly. I've put more duties onto my staff (Kristy, Jess, I love you! And if it is ever too much, I know you will tell me!! Job security, right?) and I've eliminated the duties I've put on myself that I really do not need to do. I cannot be everything to everyone. That is the lesson I've learned these past several months. And I want to be in this business for many more years so taking care of my health must go along with that.

In conclusion, I've made lemonade out of lemons ... I'm finding balance with work, I'm doing the holistic stuff and I'm making time for myself (self-care) and that is decreasing my stress. I'm continuing to make plans doing things I enjoy! I'm spending more time focusing on my 14 year old who is ADHD and Autistic - because he needs me and he is my joy! I'm doing things I love - spending time with my hubs, creating things in my art shop, finding time for friends and my sisters. But doing it all with balance. And it has been pretty sweet :). Thanks for reading, you guys. Whew! It was a long one today! Don't forget to check out the pics and read those captions!