Looking back and forward

It seems as though the start of the new year is a good time to reflect on the past year and to plan for the future. Last year was quite the roller coaster for me with quite a few highs and lows. The lows are all related to the melanoma diagnosis and treatment, with most of the highs related to the birth of our first grandchild.

Looking back, it has been just slightly over one year since my diagnosis and only six months since the end of the interferon treatments. I'm due for another round of scans in February. In the meantime, I'm working hard on continuing to lose weight (25 lbs. lighter at the moment) and will begin this week to prepare for running my first 5K this spring. While the melanoma cloud continues to hang around my head, I try to keep my worries to a minimum and remain optimistic. Certainly, a good report next month will help immensely. Eating right, exercising, putting aside time for myself, my family, and my friends, and spending more time outside are all good and attainable resolutions for me for this new year. While I can't make being cancer-free a resolution, I can believe that it's an attainable reality and hope that becoming healthier and physically fit will help. Here's to continued good health for all!