Happy New Year!!
*blows horn!*
My goodness... 2015 is gone. GONE! I still had stuff to do, projects to start... projects to finish. My to-do list is still super long.
But.. despite my tardiness in completing what I wanted to accomplish last year, a new year is here. And it is time to get it in gear and get some things accomplished.
2015 in Review: The highlights
Well... even though 2015 is sort of a blur, there were some real highlights that I want to share with you (or remind you of).
- In January, I wrote my first ebook. Wow... it was so hard to finish that little tiny book. It really was. I have this perfectionist bug and I can never finish a book or a story without scrapping it entirely because I just can't finish it. BUT... in 2015... I finished a great ebook and put it out for sale. "I Wrote My First Ebook"
- In February, I got serious about letting my hair grow. Sounds innocuous but honestly... growing post-chemo hair when you're already 20 years in the game wearing it uber-short was a major step for me. One thing I did figure out... I'm definitely not one of those brave sisters who blogs and vlogs well about their hair. "Head and Shoulders for Textured Hair"
- Oohh... I also won a beautiful Kate Spade handbag in January. I carry that bag all the time. It is so amazing. (Sometimes being a blogger really rocks! Okay... it rocks a lot.) My New Kate Spade Bag Is Gorgeous
- March and April brought quite a bit of introspection about infertility, survivor's guilt and fundraising in breast cancer. These topics will still be hot buttons in 2016 I predict. "Breast Cancer Funding... Who Thinks About Survivors?" "Follow The Money In Healthcare" "Possible Fertility Hope For Breast Cancer Survivors" "Dating Chronicles: Two Years Is A Long Time To Be In Love"
- Oohhh... April was epic. We had bloggers becoming internet sensations based on lying about being cancer survivors. We discussed finding ways to be happy and not staying stuck. And we discussed appropriate gifts for breast cancer patients and survivors (like non-toxic nail polish, the greatest lounging bra ever! and not sending cut flowers) "How to Move From Sad To Joyous" "Thinking Of Flowers?" "Try A Julep Nail Polish Subscription" "Belle Gibson: Lying About Cancer For Attention & Money" "American Sports Bra Review"
- May, June and July brought a lot of travel and meetings. But also a conversation about race because of the tensions in the country. "Safe Summer Tips For Survivors" "Komen Blogging Summit 2015" "Time To Talk About Race" "My Keys Of Hope Weekend In NY" "What The Heck Is Lymphaid?"
- August was tough. Learning that Shannen Doherty was diagnosed with breast cancer was difficult. I am still praying for her. "Learn From Shannen Doherty's Diagnosis"
- September was deep into lymphedema and October was breast cancer awareness, a contest for a new 32" television and the more focus on style, outfits and statement looks.
- By November and December... I had a few tricks up my sleeve. Namely the launch of two product lines! I'm still so tickled and excited (and overworked) about them. "Nicole Launches Two Product Lines" "It's The Melanin" "These Black Bloggers Discussed Breast Cancer Awareness"
- And in November I lost a pink ribbon sister to metastatic breast cancer. Tami was such a wonderful woman and a powerful breast cancer advocate. She is missed every day by so many. "Losing A Metastatic Pink Ribbon Sister Is Hard"
Personal Issues in 2015
One thing I didn't mention on the blog or on my social media channels... was the deep scare I had over the summer. My boyfriend (love of my life!) got severely ill this summer and came really close to dying. He didn't know that he was diabetic and his blood sugar was so high, he was almost in a diabetic coma. I pretty much saw my whole world change in an instant. That man is truly the love of my life and seeing him in the hospital broke my heart.
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| Sorry it's blurry but he was grumpy and wouldn't keep still. |
I'm thrilled to say that today he's doing remarkably well. He was put on insulin to stabilize his blood sugar and he immediately changed his eating habits and his workout efforts. I'm even more happy to say that he quickly lost about 30 pounds and is now off the insulin. *does a praise dance*
He is diligent about his health and he has been really inspiring to me because his attitude was just so great about the situation. He didn't give up excuses... he just made the changes.
Because of his illness and hospitalization, we actually became even closer. And... I can happily announce...
I'M GETTING MARRIED Y'ALL!!
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| I'll be jumping the broom in about a year. |
I really did say yes!
He proposed the week before Christmas and I said yes. *tears of joy*
Remember when I was worried about never being able to wear a ring? Ha! I'm still worried but we decided together that I'll wear my ring on my right hand, instead of my left. Until he asked, I really didn't think that having a ring or wearing a ring would matter. I've had an engagement ring before. I thought I'd be okay without it. But the moment it was real that we were going to be together for the rest of our lives, I realized that having a ring really was important to me. Just as a wedding was important to me too. I didn't think I wanted a wedding. But I think I had been convincing myself that I didn't want the ring or the wedding because I wasn't sure that I would ever find love and get married.
I thought that breast cancer ruined that dream for me. I was wrong. Breast cancer did a lot for me. It forced me to stop taking being alive for granted. It forced me to stop taking my health for granted. It forced me to face the truth that I like being feminine, I think being a woman is wonderful. I had to accept that breasts don't define my womanhood but they do matter. It forced me to become an entrepreneur. It gave me a lot of much needed empathy and compassion -- for myself and for others. It has made life more difficult in many ways. But I am extremely grateful for every day and every person and every opportunity.
From 2015 to 2016. Moving from self-focus to a longer, wider view of life. Transformation.
2015 was supposed to be my year of Prosperity. And in many ways it was. I made money. I connected with some really good people. I won some awards and recognitions. I didn't blow up the way I thought I would but there was certainly a simmer under my butt. LOL!
Which is why 2016 is my year of Transformation. I have transformed from a small niche blogger... to a serious entrepreneur. I take myself and my work seriously. It is fun - no doubt - but it is work and I respect it as such. I am transforming from a girlfriend of nearly 3 years, to a fiancee and I'll be transforming in 2017 to a wife and a step-mother.
2016 will see My Fabulous Boobies transform from a personal blog about my life with breast cancer to a resource site for breast cancer survivors who are transitioning to "new normal" and need tools, tips and a community to make those changes. That means that I am also transforming into a teacher and community leader. Lots of goodies are coming... lots of changes.
Transformation. That's our word for 2016.
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