As we celebrate Thanksgiving Day today, I have a lot to be thankful for......YOU!!! Each one of you has made my journey a little easier to bare.

Over the last year and a half, I have attempted to be very open and honest with you about how I was feeling in full transparency.  Those that know me know that is a hard thing to be so vulnerable.  I continue because it seems like my words have had meaning and made an impact on the lives of some of you.  I truly believe we were put on this earth to help others so THANK YOU for helping me.  Your words had a huge impact on me.   You came through, you showed up and you showed me that you cared. You made me feel loved when I felt my absolute lowest. You held my hand when I needed it, YOU brought the light into my darkest days.  Again, from the bottom of my heart Thank you!!

What's new with me?  I have been doing extensive physical therapy at ReVital in UPMC Fredrickson Center (they truly are an amazing team). Since I shattered my kneecap, I had to rebuild the strength back in my leg to be able to walk again. I can FINALLY say I am no longer using a cane. YAY!!! This week has been amazing for me.  I started driving (You really do not know independence until you can drive by yourself and not have to rely on someone to get you where you want to go when you want to go.)  I do still have the brace and they are expecting me to stay in it for at least another 8 weeks. My knee still cannot bend the whole way, so it's proven to be challenging but one day at a time. 

Onto more not-so-exciting news.  Prior to all of this I had a level 1 fatty liver, I got on KETO and fully reversed it with diet and exercise.  I recently had a liver scan and there is some damage to my liver due to some of the extensive chemo drugs.  I am having a biopsy done on Monday the 28th so they can take a better look. It's an outpatient procedure so I will be home the same day. I am not going to lie, when they said I had to do this biopsy I had a little PTSD hit about going back to the hospital. I mean I am all over this so let's move on, please.  Prayers would greatly be appreciated.

On December 20th I go back to Sloan Kettering in New York for another full body scan to see if any Cancer has returned. I pray it hasn’t, but I have to admit my anxiety is through the roof.

  I have had a lot of time to reflect, and it still blows my mind how life could be going so well then WHAM a wrench gets thrown in and your whole world goes upside down.  You try doing your best to fix the moving parts, but you keep getting smashed over and over and over. It was starting to make me feel hopeless and I couldn’t see the light at the end of the tunnel.  I have always believed in the power of positive thinking, but it gets hard. It gets really hard. One thing I know is that I can and will rebuild. 

I have not been able to work in over 2 1/2 years. 1st COVID then Cancer.  I am a business owner, I do not get paid time off, unemployment, disability pay, or any of that. I simply end up not having income and have to compromise the things I love to do to simply survive.  It hasn't been easy, but we take it ONE DAY AT A TIME! I was so excited to finally attend my 1st craft show and work for Eye Candy these past two weeks and be around people.  Hopefully, with the grace of God, we can resume our events in 2023.  I am realizing so much has changed over the last 2 1/2 years but that is ok. This is the time for me to REBUILD and REPAY! I may not be able to financially help you as I have in the past, but I can certainly bring my events back that give back to our community and help build and grow our community members.   Stay tuned Central PA..... There are great things happening with Events by Eye Candy in 2023.  

My advice to my family and friends that are experiencing hard times and illnesses is to never give up. Put your faith in God, give yourself some grace, and lean on your tribe of people who are there to lift you up.  Remember to always be grateful and present each day and to ask yourself not what went wrong, but what went right today.  

Happy Thanksgiving to all of you and I truly am so blessed to have you all in my life.  

Your continued support is greatly appreciated.  https://gofund.me/251238dc or venmo @Beerze