And so “Claudia’s New Journey” ends. 🙏🏻

From a questionable annual mammogram in December 2019 to a lumpectomy in February 2020 with the diagnosis of triple positive breast cancer, through chemo therapy starting in March 2020, double mastectomy (August 2020) and reconstruction (October 2020.) I continue on a journey now as a breast cancer thriver.  🌞🌻

Today I will end this journal with a few words to all of my friends and loved ones.  Please know that all of your prayers, your inspiring music, text messages, plethora of gifts, and outpouring of support helped me through the worst of times.  For me, the oak tree poem below speaks to the strength needed to survive the onslaught of cancer.  I will continue to live the rest of my life knowing that there is a chance of recurrent cancer; however, I am completely aware that my roots are deep and I have the strength to endure.💪💪

John and I have named the next part of our life as “chapter next.”  Our house is sold. We have new adventures ahead of us. Our primary goal is to live, embrace all of the wonders of life and have fun!  My email remains claudiajomaurer@yahoo.com and my phone number for text messaging and a phone call remains 315-816-8798. 

See ya around! 👋 🤗😘

THE OAK TREE

by Johnny Ray Ryder Jr.

A mighty wind blew night and day

It stole the oak tree’s leaves away

Then snapped its boughs and pulled its bark

Until the oak was tired and stark

But still the oak tree held its ground

While other trees fell all around

The weary wind gave up and spoke.

How can you still be standing Oak?

The oak tree said, I know that you

Can break each branch of mine in two

Carry every leaf away

Shake my limbs, and make me sway

But I have roots stretched in the earth

Growing stronger since my birth

You’ll never touch them, for you see

They are the deepest part of me

Until today, I wasn’t sure

Of just how much I could endure

But now I’ve found, with thanks to you

I’m stronger than I ever knew