Its been a crazy year....and I am relieved to see it come to a close

I know its not the official end of the year yet but to me, its close enough. I am more than ready to be done with this year so I decided to blog about the many downs and few ups that have been dealt to me and my family throughout the previous 12 months.


It all began a year ago today. I was at my sister's house celebrating Christmas with them before I left for New York. My brother in law, Rob had been having some vision problems and some headaches and he was going through testing to figure out the cause. Never in a million years would I imagine that he would be diagnosed with Multiple Sclerosis. The phone rang as we were sitting down to dinner and he disappeared upstairs and Trish went with him. A half hour later, it was confirmed, Rob has MS. I was shocked and upset. This couldn't be happening, this is just a dream, he's too young. But unfortunately it was not a dream, it was reality. The good news was they caught it very early and he had very minimal symptoms and the doctor reassured us that there are medications to deal with this awful disease and he did not think Rob would ever get to the point of needing a wheelchair. It took a few days for the shock to wear off and then it was time to deal with it. i felt I had dealt with it and accepted it until May when my entire family participated in the MS Walk/Run. I decided to run while everyone else walked and on the course they had signs up stating statistics of MS and that's when it hit me that Rob had MS. I think I cried for most of the 5 mile run. Of course, a few days before, Rob's mom had been diagnosed with stage 4 pancreatic cancer and given 3-6 months. At this point, I was angry. Why was this happening to my family? We were good people, we did not deserve this! But I knew I had to be strong for my family and we could get thorough this if we stuck together. I thought things were improving until June 14th came and my life was turned upside down yet again. I was working at PaDoodles and Zach called but I was busy. He left me a message and I could tell something was terribly wrong. Once again, I was not expecting to hear what he told me I called him back. Our friend Brandon was killed in a car accident on June 12th. WHY was this happening, this can't be true, I just saw him a few weeks ago, NO! But it was true and I told Zach I would be there on the 17th for the memorial service. Driving to Mooresville, NC was difficult because I knew why I was going, to say my final good-bye to a friend who died too early. It didn't seem fair to say goodbye to someone who should be out enjoying his life. The next morning was also hard because Zach moved to West Palm Beach, FL. Even though we lived 2 hours away, he was my best friend and my rock, what would I do with him so far away? Once again, I had to say goodbye again but at least this time wasn't forever.

Bad things happens in 3's right? I thought by this time, the worst was over but the summer did not improve after this as it should of. I found out the following week that the little boy that I was a nanny for was starting preschool and I had to look for another job. I had been with him for almost 2 years and I couldn't imagine not seeing him everyday. But I had faith that I would find a new job and I did, in the same neighborhood!! Then over July 4th weekend, I went to urgent Care in severe pain and it was diagnosed the following week with ovarian cysts but the good news was there were most likely benign and would disappear on their own (as of October, they had not, hopefully in January when I go for an ultrasound, that will show they are gone).

Finally, the summer slowly improved and fall came and even though some little bad things happened, I made it through the fall without too much going wrong. Finally, life is slowly getting back on track and 2009 looks to be a good year with me graduating with my Master's and hopefully beginning my career in Public Health. Even though I have been through more than I can ever imagine in the past year, I know it all happened for a reason and I am a stronger person now because of everything. I know now I can handle life's bumps and weather the storm and make it through with only minor bumps and bruises. I have always believed that everything happens for a reason and God has a plan for everyone and I truly live by those words now. Even though I was angry at Him for causing me all this pain, I have the peace I need to move on. Thank you to all my friends for helping me through this difficult year...Here's to a wonderful 2009!!