My Story

January 25, 2009

The day before my 52nd birthday I woke up feeling depressed, sad, fat and not very motivated to start the day.  Basically, having a pity party.  I was looking in the mirror thinking, “What’s wrong with me?”  As I looked at myself I remembered the saying, “You can control and change your thoughts”.  So, I started making a mental list of what I had to be grateful for.

The first thing that came to mind was that God loves me and wants me to be happy.  I have a husband who loves and supports me a lot. I have two beautiful daughters and three of the most precious grandchildren a Nana (that’s what they call me) could want.  I have great girlfriends who I can talk to almost any time of the day (and we can do some talking).  This is all good stuff.

Then I started thinking about “The Day”, January 4, 2007,  I got “The Call” from my doctor telling me that my blood test had come back and she suspected that I had Chronic Myelogenous Leukemia and was referring me to an oncologist the next day - but not to panic or run to the computer and “Google” Leukemia.  As I remember, she said this all in one breath.  I listened to the words but all I heard was that I had cancer and could you please pass the salt.  I forgot to mention, there is no cure for Leukemia. From that day on my life changed, and cancer has made me a better person. I know that sounds crazy but stay with me.  For the next two years my life consisted of blood tests, that I now can pronounce, way too many bone marrow tests and a trip to M.D. Anderson Cancer Center.  After 9 months of treatment I went into remission.  I will most likely be on medication, have blood tests and bone marrow tests for the rest of my life.  

That’s right, LIFE.  That’s what I have, I’m not dying yet.  God has plans for me.

So, now I’m looking in the mirror saying, ”I have a lot to be thankful for”.  No more pity party, not today.  Today “I’m Celebrating”.  When I think of celebrating I see people being loud, laughing, crying, thanking God, jumping up and down, dancing, giving high fives, hugging and, last but not least, kissing --- besitos.

I’m Deb Hausman and I’m Celebrating!
Besitos