Post-chemo life is everything I have dreamed of and more.   I feel like each day I am getting closer and closer to what ‘normal’ will be. 2 weeks post chemo felt surreal since we did not have to go to Northwestern for chemo- who knew this day would have so much meaning.  The weekend didn’t seem real at all.  But as soon as we woke up I knew we had to do something special to celebrate our first ‘free’ weekend.  Originally we had planned to do a weekend getaway to Sedona, Arizona but plans had to change since my in-laws or parents would not be around to babysit Kiaan.  So instead after we woke up that weekend and heard on the news that the Bulls game was at 4:30pm instead of 7:00pm which was perfect since it doesn’t interfere with Kiaan’s bed time so we had to make it happen.  We bought tickets that morning and decided it would be the best way to celebrate our chemo-free weekend!  We had such as good day, Kiaan was amazing: he enjoyed the pre-game, the intro, took a nap and then enjoyed the end of the game.  He is the biggest blessing that could happen during this turbulent time and we could not be more grateful.

This past week on January 11th I got to compete another milestone of life and celebrate my 32nd birthday!  I am so lucky to be alive and to experience milestones such as my birthday and Kiaan’s first Bulls game- I could not be more thankful.  I have always loved birthdays but this day I absorbed and felt all day.  I know that it is a blessing to be in the world to experience another year of life and that it is not always guaranteed.  I will always celebrate each birthday from hear on out and live life to the fullest each day.  I am always blessed and this day was no different. My brother, Mitesh surprised me and Bar with a tasting menu and drinks at The Aviary  on Tuesday night the day before my birthday.  It was so thoughtful and I am forever thankful for this gesture.  He is the sweetest and this was such a great surprise, what a great way to kick off 32!  I took the day of my birthday off of work and it was the best decision I ever made.   I woke up late (thanks to bar for waking up for Kiaan) we went to brunch as a family of 3 plus HD 😉 and got to relax all day at home.  3 of my favorite things.

Another aspect of post-chemo I was not expecting is losing my eyelashes.  Up until this point I had my appointments to get my mink eyelashes done but now that I do not have any regular eyelashes my eyelash lady stated she can not add my minks 😦  Luckily I have the sweetest friends who also happen to be MDs and they recommended that I start on latisse to jump start my eyelash growth.  Unfortunetly modern medicine is not quick enough so I had to find alternative methods.  My fashionista sister, Gargi recommended Ardell eyelashes so I started experimenting with those so I could still feel beautiful.

Another aspect of cancer that has been hard to grasp is the changes it has done to my body.  Besides giving birth to Kiaan I have always had a body that was well worked out or ‘fit.’  Ever since college I have had a routine of working out and never let my body go.  I have never had a gut, flabby arms or a flabby butt.  I have always taken a priority to look my best.  With Chemo I have had no control.  I still have continued to work out, eat right and follow my daily routine but my hormones had other plans.  This body and face I see in the mirror is something I don’t recognize and hope that some day soon it will be something I will be proud of. Until then I will continue fueling this body of mine with the best nutrients, thoughts and exercise I can.  Photo is 2 days post Kiaan and 2 weeks post Chemo.

It’s crazy to think of the emotions my body has gone through with each of these milestones and I cannot thank family and friends enough for their support.  Here is to a successful surgery and full recovery and did I mention a celebratory trip to BALI! You know Cancer would never stop this travel loving couple 😉