I’m not gonna lie. While most people are saying, “Can you believe it’s the end of the year already?” I’m saying, “It’s about freaking time!”. 2014 and I did NOT get along well, and I’ve been ready and waiting to ring it out. However…this is a time to reflect and appreciate the good that did come out of the year. The blessings I was given. The happiness I experienced. So let’s take a look back and see what happened, shall we?
1. I survived CANCER
Quite honestly, everything after this one means jack comparatively, but this is a decorating blog after all. I’ve spoken of it a couple of times, but I don’t think I ever told you that on November 3rd I found out that I am cancer free. Gone. El Done-o. I will spend the rest of the year regaining my energy and getting rid of residual side effects, but my life is slowly coming back to me. Something else coming back slowly? The hair. Ugh. I lost 30 inches, and I’ve gained about an inch back.
Here’s your before (a few months before my first treatment)…
And here’s the after (taken the other night—5 months after my last treatment)…
Believe me—I know it’s ridiculous to complain about hair when I just went through hell, but man…losing it was tough on me. I’ve had long hair for decades, and this side effect got me. There’s my complaint. Otherwise, I’m THRILLED to be cancer free.
As I said, what really compares, right? Well, here’s a few things I accomplished house-wise that deserve some honorable mentions.
A battery drawer to get ready for the holidays
And then I decorated for Christmas
Soooo decorating/organizing/DIY’ing-wise, it was minimal. But I’d say I accomplished a lot. My family accomplished a lot. I look forward to a very boring, uneventful, and healthy new year!
Jake's a Girl says
Nov. 3rd. is a GREAT DAY! Thank the good Lord! Big big Congrats! Prayers that 2015 is a
wonderful and magical year for you and your family.
Hair is a big thing for women. So don’t feel one bit bad about the sorrow of losing yours. It will grow back but that’s not the point … right? I understand. Just because we are sick doesn’t mean we lose the right to complain for a minute or two. We don’t need permission for that.
Where it be cancer or just the plain old flu. We can be strong some of the time. Then we just
may need a shoulder to cry on once in a while before we wipe away the tears and start holding our world together again.
But now you can celebrate every dang day and watch that hair grow to it’s hearts content. Big blessings to you and yours in the coming New Year!
Andrea Worley says
that’s great news! amazing, blessings in the new year!
Addie says
Congrats! You look great!
Tabitha says
You still look gorgeous with short hair. Congratulations on the cancer free results and finally an end of 2014 and new beginning! After having cancer, I’m not sure if I would want to try the hair growing shampoos like Nioxin or the vitamins, but maybe those are an idea?
Meadowsweet Cottage says
Normal and boring are two of my favorite words after spending plenty of time watching my sweetie go thru chemo and the inevitable doctors appts. And I think you look cute with a pixie cut!
jdhartil says
Good news to end the year and you can look forward to your growing in 2015!
jdhartil says
Meant to say ~ your hair growing in 2015
Sue says
Wow, Chris. This is HUGE! I am so very delighted for you. Although clear that this awful thing has affected your family massively, know that you still look amazing. Indeed, ARE amazing. Going through all that and still managing to style your home to perfection? I am in awe lady. My best wishes to you and yours for a happy and healthy 2015. Sue x
Southern Gal says
Great news! You look amazing with short hair. I know you miss the length, but you truly are beautiful just the way you are. I pray 2015 is the year of fresh, new beginnings with good health and happiness.
laura@top this top that says
Chris, amazing news! God is great. So happy to hear this news and see you smiling. You look good with short hair. So chic. Happy New Year!
Judy Castellano says
I remember reading about your cancer here and my heart sank. I’m so happy that you’ve gotten a clean bill of health …. puts so many things into perspective, doesn’t it? You are an amazing woman with amazing talent and I know 2015 is YOUR year!!! Happy, healthy new year to you and your family! Can’t wait to see all the goodies you will be blogging about this year!!!
Virginia says
Blessings to you in 2015!
lak says
Congratulations Chris!!!! Great news!!! Wishing you and your family all the best in 2015, and you really do look great with the pixie cut!!!
Emily @ 11gables.blogspot.com says
Chris! What wonderful news. Praying for 2015 to be a year of rest and rejuvenation. You amaze me with your talent, stamina, and gorgeousness! Girl, you rock the pixie! xox, Emily
Sharon @ Elizabeth & Co. says
I’m so happy to hear such great news! And by the way, you look absolutely beautiful. Wishing you and your family all the best in 2015!
Leigh says
That is great news. The best. And the short hair suits you big time!!! All the best for a happy and healty 2015.
Jennifer @ Dimples and Tangles says
Awesome news, Chris! So happy for you to kick off 2015 cancer free!
Carmen P says
Wonderful news! I happen to think you look quite cute with short hair. But I know I would have a hard time losing my hair too. Here’s to a healthy 2015!
Miss Mustard Seed says
You look soooo beautiful with the pixie hair. You have a sort of Anne Hathaway thing going on. Gorgeous!! 🙂
Jennifer says
Congratulations on the great news. You look amazing!
Heather C says
Whoo hoo, you are a survivor, you handle anything that comes your way, because you are a survivor. By the way you look adorable with the short hair, just saying
Marilyn says
My daughter just underwent surgery for cancer and starts radiation in January. I have to admit one of the things that worried me was thinking she might lose her gorgeous long red hair. So even in the face of everything else cancer brings to mind, hair is still a big deal. You are beautiful, your hair is darling, your hair will grow back and best of all, you are cancer free. I will be glad when my daughter can say the same.
Susan T says
You are as cute as a button with short hair!!! Congrats on being cancer free!
May the Lord Bless You and Keep You,
Susan
Susan T says
You are as cute as a button with short hair!!! Congrats on being cancer free!
May the Lord Bless You and Keep You,
Susan
Karen says
Congrats on being cancer free, I know that is such a relief! Your hair is beautiful too, glad to hear you are healthy and looking forward to an awesome 2015!
I am currently battling cancer and just had a double mastectomy and will undergo radiation and another round of chemo in the coming months. I’m looking forward to having a rocking haircut like yours 🙂
Prayers for you!
Karen
Jen says
Congratulations! Glad to hear you’re doing better!
Benny Sequeira says
Yours was one of the first blogs that I started to read and admired your crafting/decorating talent. The day I read about your cancer, my heart sank and I prayed for you daily. I am so glad to hear you are cancer-free, God is good. Wishes for a healthy 2015.
Renee+in+Michigan says
WooHoo!! What great news! I’m still in awe that you had the energy to be back at school this fall. Way to rock the short hair ! Thanks for sharing with us.
Colette says
That is such good news! Hair will grow back! Always count the blessings!
Louise says
Woohoo! Great news! Bring on 2015.
jessica @fourgenerationsoneroof says
Yay for November 3!!! Here’s to 2015 😉
PS. I like the new “do” 😉
The lovely one says
Congrats on being free! I’m sure the loss of your hair was tough, but the short hair is super cute, too! I like it!
Jen says
I couldn’t have felt warmer inside reading your amazing news! Congrats on kicking cancer to the curb. You are one heck of a strong and gorgeous woman, and I am thrilled that you are regaining your strength. Happy new year lovely friend!!
Lynn Iarussi says
I am so happy to read your news! I have thought about you often, after reading your news a few months ago. We never know when life is going to pull the rug out from under us. You are a survivor and a beautiful one at that. May 2015 be blessed with all things wonderful.