unexpected

Years ago when my nephew was just a little tyke, we went to the Calgary Zoo. The dinosaur area was a bit scary so we decided to get some bottled drinks and sit down for a break. As we settled in, my nephew shook up his pop, he opened it and it sprayed everywhere. He declared quite matter of factly - “that was unexpected”.
Hmmm...actually no it wasn't.

Last fall, I tripped on the stairs and hurt my glute muscle and leg. After having chiropractic treatment, acupuncture, physio, and even reiki, it wasn't getting better so I went to a walk-in clinic. At the time I did not have a family doctor (that’s a whole different issue) which is why I was trying the other treatments. An x-ray showed cancer lesions on my hip and pelvis. What?! That was unexpected.

After many tests and scans it was determined I have metastatic breast cancer. Some may call it stage 4 breast cancer but I don't. Stage 4 sounds like I have one foot in the grave and according to my vision board, I have a lot left to do before I'm ready to return “home”.

The past three years have been full of “the unexpected”. My mom was diagnosed with pancreatic cancer and passed away a few months later in 2020.  Covid hit and caused so many challenges for everyone - I did not expect to see people turn on each other. My dad struggled with grief over losing my mom and passed away from cancer complications last year. My sister and I unexpectedly have had to deal with our parents' estate in Victoria. And now, my cancer diagnosis and being in a wheelchair. It feels like God/Source/Creator/The Universe shook a pop bottle and handed it to me. Honestly, I'd like to let it settle before opening it but I don't believe that is why we are here. Life is full of challenges and the unexpected. If you haven't had many yet, that’s awesome but I suspect you will. It's what we signed up for.

We are here to grow, to be challenged, to go through hard times, and learn the lessons we need to. Sometimes we get sprayed when we weren't expecting it. We are also here to love, laugh, explore our passions, and support each other. It's the good times and the people that hand us the napkins when we dripping with sticky pop that makes the journey so enjoyable.  I am truly blessed to have people in my life who are prepared to hand me the wet wipes when I need them - people who lift me up and cheer me on. And even though I want to yell - “that was unexpected”, just maybe it wasn’t and everything is always working out for me.