If you know me well, you know that I love lists. I don't just love lists, I L-O-V-E lists! Ever since I can remember, I have been writing myself "to-do lists." I find them all over the place - in my planner, on my nightstand, desk drawers, purses, car, work. Whenever I see cute notepads of paper, I buy them up in bulk and get excited at the thought of filling them up with lists. It's a sickness, I know. I have always had lists for everything - grocery shopping, house projects, reports to do at work, phone calls and emails to return...it goes on and on. I love staying organized and more than that, I love the satisfaction of striking that big, bold line through an item on my list once I have accomplished it! A few weeks before my 29th birthday, I started a list on the first page of a blank, pink covered journal entitled, "30 Before 30." I then spent some time thinking of all the things I wanted to accomplish this year before I turned thirty years old. I started compiling my list, eventually taking a break at #13 to further think through what was important enough to include. Well, you all know what happened next. I purposely waited until the day after my birthday to have a biopsy, and the day after that I was diagnosed with "the big C" - two days after my 29th birthday, which was March 21. That very same pink journal quickly become my right hand man on this new journey my life has taken. The pages are now filled with doctor's names, appointment times, family history information, logs of my weight and vital signs, blood test reports, questions for my doctors...all sorts of words and verbiage that I never dreamed would become part of my daily conversations. Once in awhile, I flip back to that first page of the journal and I get a quick reminder of the vastly different life I led just a few short months ago. I had no clue then how quickly my life, and that list, would change forever. How my priorities, my wishes, my hopes and dreams would immediately take on an entirely new meaning. I have experienced a lot of dark moments over the past 3 1/2 months - but I have come through each one of them with a renewed sense of how wonderful and precious life is. It has made me realize that there is no reason why I can't continue to set goals that I would like to accomplish throughout this year - and the many years to come! I don't need to always focus 100% of my attention on this disease. I want to live my life, and enjoy my life like I always did. So, I have revisited that first page in the pink journal and decided to pick up where I left off. I am hoping that by putting this out there in cyberspace for all of you to read, it will help me hold myself accountable to complete each of my goals! Feel free to ask me on March 21, 2012 how I did! :) My first list initiated in early March 2011, was entitled, "30 Before 30- Wishes, hopes, dreams, desires, goals for the next year...in no particular order." Well, here goes... "The New & Improved 30 before 30" Starting with my previous list from early March... 1. Get Pregnant! Start a family with my amazing husband! This is a really tough one for us...we don't know what God has in store for us in regards to the family we so desperately want. We continue to pray that we may have a family one day, but until then, we will have to leave it in His hands. 2. Run another 10K I have to revise this one, as I am no longer allowed to run due to risk of compression fractures in my spine. Revised goal: Return to exercising at least 3 times per week, including yoga, biking, walking and swimming. 3. Participate in at least 4 fundraisers Shouldn't have a problem meeting this goal now, huh?! Go Team Malley Rally! 4. Perfect Mom's homemade chex mix, all by myself! 5. Master my off-camera flash 6. Visit at least 3 new cities 7. Photograph my first newborn session 8. Try tempeh Completed! Thanks to the Waterford Kettering staff member that made us some yummy tempeh a month or so ago! 9. Finally order wedding album (yes, I am ashamed to admit that I still haven't done this - 3 1/2 years later! eek!) So embarrassed to admit this one! Mom, I PROMISE I will get it done 10. Send a hand written letter to one friend each month Can I count thank you notes? If so, I am set! :) 11. Complete my Ireland/London scrapbook Another long overdue project! 12. Post to the Meg Malley Photography blog at least every other week I have had to put Meg Malley Photography on the back burner for right now. So, I have revised this goal to make sure I post at least one blog entry per week on this very blog you are reading. :) 13.....update as of 3.23.2011...One and only goal...BEAT CANCER THIS YEAR!!! Now that I have a greater understanding of the exact enemy I am fighting, I realize that although I may not officially "beat" cancer by my 30th birthday, I will take any and all necessary steps to hear my doctors tell me, "There is no current evidence of disease". That's the medical lingo that I am most praying to hear one day! ....this is where my list stopped and has remained unfinished since the day of my diagnosis. Time to pick up where I left off..... 14. Reach out to at least 5 other young women diagnosed with cancer...especially those with advanced stage disease, such as myself. So far I have met (either in person or through email), three other women under the age of 35 with advanced stage breast cancer, and I have another friend with a different type of cancer that is also stage IV. It has been a wonderful experience to get to know other women in a similar position to me! I am grateful to have them to turn to for support throughout the journey down this difficult road. 15. Try to attend at least one conference uniting young cancer survivors, such as the "Annual Conference for Young Women Affected by Breast Cancer" or the "OMG! Cancer Summit for Young Adults." Depending on my treatment schedule, I am not sure if I will be able to travel to these conferences, but I would love to opportunity to do so one day! 16. Read at least 2 non-cancer related books each month 17. Continue to learn and grow as a photographer - attend at least one workshop 18. Begin a daily gratitude journal I think about this in my head each day, but would like to put it in writing to help me remember all of my blessings when I may be having a hard time seeing them 19. Take extra time to tell others "thank you" - especially family, friends, doctors, nurses, medical assistants & receptionists 20. Plan a vacation with my family 21. Buy one of the vintage cameras I have been eyeing for months on Etsy 22. Volunteer my time with a local charity 23. Learn more about my Adobe Lightroom photo editing program that I purchased over a year ago and have barely touched 24. Finally print, matte, and hang some of my own photography in my home It's sort of ridiculous that aside from a couple 4x6 prints in my kitchen, I don't have any of my own photography displayed in my home. I can't wait to put up some images from our trip to Ireland! 25. Plant peonies, my favorite flower, in my garden this fall 26. Finally print some of my favorite personal photos from the past few years and organize them in albums I used to take great pride in all of my chronologically ordered photo albums filled with pictures. I think the digital age has gotten the best of all of us and now our images reside on our computers. I have lots of cute albums to fill up! 27. Reach out to the metro Detroit chapter of the Young Survivor Coalition and attend one of their meetings - a nationwide organization dedicated to young women facing breast cancer 28. Walk the first mile of the Susan G. Komen 3 Day For a Cure with my awesome friends of "Team Meghan Malley Rally"...and attempt to find them to cross the finish line together at mile 60! I will be out there all weekend to cheer you guys on - but sadly, I don't want to commit to attempting more than 1 mile increments of walking. This ole' body poops out pretty quickly these days! ;) 29. Treat my incredible, selfless husband to a long overdue massage at an amazing spa in order to thank him for the near nightly back massages he never complains about giving me when my back hurts 30. Have a wonderful celebration for my 30th birthday and one year anniversary as a cancer survivor! There you have it, ladies and gents! I can't wait to start tackling all this fun stuff and crossing things off my list. I'll save some other goodies such as, "travel to Italy", or "buy our dream house", for next years list. :) Although I will have a "few" other obstacles to tackle before my 30th birthday (another 9 rounds of chemo, start hormone therapy, make it through a double mastectomy, begin the reconstruction process, and complete 30 radiation treatments!), I think it's important to remember to mix in some time for the things that truly make me happy, and that make me feel a little bit more like myself through all of this. I know that the words "breast cancer" will forever be a part of me, but just that - a "part" of me. Those words do not define who I am or how I have to live my life. I am grateful for the amazing community of survivors that I have now joined, but I will not let my entire life revolve around this disease. Well, gotta run...I have 30 things I need to get done in the next few months - better get started! :) As always, thank you for being such an amazing support group for Mike and I. Thanks for the blog comments, cards, calls and meals! We are so grateful to have all of you in our lives. xoxo, Meghan ps. A huge thank you to Kara for putting together a wonderful "Girls Night Out" fundraiser Friday night at her home. Thank you to all of the great friends and family that came out to shop and support the 3 Day team - and to the awesome vendors that donated a portion of their earnings. It was a great success and lots of fun - so much fun that I sadly forgot to bust out the camera and take come pics! If anyone couldn't make it but would like to check out products or place an order from Tastefully Simple, Lia Sophia, Mary Kay, Miche, Premier Designs, Thirty-One or Mio Dio Collection, please feel free to email Kara at [email protected] - all orders will need to be placed by Wednesday, June 13. I am so thankful my Aunt Carol captured this great image of GG and me from 4th of July weekend. The one problem with being the family photographer is that you never end up in any of the pictures. :) I'm grateful to have this picture of us - I love it!
31 Comments
Kyle
7/10/2011 12:38:51 pm
Great list friend! Like you, I also love lists--as you already know ;) I think I can help you accomplish some of the things on your list, especially those photography and photo image related, anytime you want to go on a photo field trip, do a workshop, edit photos on Lightroom, etc.--you just let me know! I'll bug you once in a while about it too.. :)
Reply
Doug
7/10/2011 01:47:28 pm
What a wonderful list to accomplish this year! I am so proud to be a family member, and so proud of you. And what a great teammate you were today in the pool! Love you, Girl, and rest up from this weekend.
Reply
Mark & Carolyn Hallgath
7/10/2011 02:19:16 pm
Thank you so much for sharing your amazing list with us. Sounds like you are going to be really busy with lots of fun stuff! I enjoyed reading your to do list and have no doubt you will accomplish everything on this list. Have a wonderful week!!
Reply
Becca P
7/10/2011 03:35:49 pm
Meg,
Reply
Meagan
7/11/2011 02:29:39 am
What a great list Meg! You are such an inspiration and now I feel like I need to make a list :) You're going to cross all of this off and much much more... There is nothing that can stand in the way of this kind of attitude...God has equipped you with exactly what you need...
Reply
Sara
7/11/2011 03:44:39 am
I had a smile on my face reading this whole entry, Meg! You (and now this amazing list) are such an inspiration and I love how clearly you outline things in your life that you want and are ready to achieve. I have no doubt that you'll accomplish all of these things with your usual gusto! Lots of love and prayers to you and Mike <3
Reply
Brinley
7/11/2011 03:53:45 am
MEG!
Reply
Jennifer
7/11/2011 05:15:43 am
I'm addicted to pens, paper and making lists too!!
Reply
Janine
7/11/2011 09:17:51 am
Totally hear ya with the lists - love em too - but definitely feel more accomplished getting to draw a big red line thru something than deleting from my iPhone:) ... Your "to do list" though makes me feel like a slacker! I swear you have more energy for life than anyone I know - agree 1000% with Brankey:) ... And Dwight had a funny exercise idea appropriate for your non-impact spine: "If you clench your butt muscles together when you walk, it's easier on your knees"
Reply
Diane P.
7/11/2011 10:39:12 am
Dearest Meg -
Reply
Cassie Greenwald
7/12/2011 02:26:34 am
Meghan,
Reply
Niche
7/12/2011 03:18:45 am
Meg, your list is off the hook and I have no doubt you will totally outdo yourself and make this list your biatch!The edits and additions are perfect and you are inspiring me to sit down with myself and document the things that are important for me, and not just leave them as "hopefuls" in my mind. Your 30th bday will be full of celebrations; for you kicking butt with your awesome list as well as celebrating hearing those sweet words from your docs! I just know it!!
Reply
Deb & Bob
7/12/2011 08:12:28 am
What a great list and one that is a good mix of fun, self, others, stretch and not a stretch! I am also a list person and know how good it feels to cross things off and accomplish something, big or small. Looking forward to your future updates
Reply
Aunt Carol
7/12/2011 11:17:50 am
Love the list almost as much as I love you!! I think you were doomed to list making from the moment you were born. I remember GG always laughing about your Mom's morning list when she was just a little kid......
Reply
Erica
7/12/2011 12:29:20 pm
Meg-you cease to amaze me! I am so amazed that right now with all you are dealing with 50% of your list involves helping others or sharing your experience with other people and organizations! This is a very ambitious list but I have no doubt you can accomplish every single one of these items. I'll do my best to help you with your list. I'm going to add to my To Do List some ways I can help you. Keep taking care of yourself and loving life.
Reply
Elizabeth
7/12/2011 01:33:46 pm
Meghan,
Reply
Alex
7/12/2011 04:30:20 pm
Great list, keep up that super positive attitude. WE all miss you at our Roundtable/Support group get togethers. Take care Meghan.
Reply
Lara Pansolli
7/13/2011 03:30:10 am
Awww Meghan! Love this blog! I can really relate to this...absolutely love your list! You have inspired me to write one before 30!!! Keep it up!
Reply
Kara
7/13/2011 03:49:54 am
First off, you are so welcome for the girls night out!! It was great to get together and shop for this great cause. Yay for lists!! I also love lists and yours is especially amazing. I can't wait to help you cross off a few of those items on your list. I also can't wait to see what next years 31 before 31 list entails.
Reply
Mary Somers
7/13/2011 07:24:56 am
Dear Meg -----I so enjoyed reading this entry ! Remember our little chat about absolutely LOVING lists ! Mike's Mom was another all-time list lover ----her and I would always laugh about getting our fresh supplies of yellow legal pads and colorful markers ! ! Ohhhhhhh Boy !Your goals are amazing-----gives me inspiration ! ! Much love to you and Mike ---Aunt Mary and Bill P.S. Meg--promise me you will never progress to keeping a little notebook in your car to document unusual things you might observe ! ! !
Reply
Diane P.
7/13/2011 10:29:25 am
Hooray for Girls night out - shop for a cause! So happy to support you and the three day team and I was in desperate need of some Parmesan biscuits from Tastefully Simple so that's a win - win for sure! (Thanks Kara!)
Reply
Chelsea
7/13/2011 11:05:47 am
You're such an inspiration!!! This post was amazing, and has encouraged me to also make my own list. I love how full of life and passion you are for yourself, and also that you continue to want to help others. You're such an amazing person and I am so blessed to have you not only as a friend, but a total inspiration in my life. Thank you again, and again for this beautiful blog and including all of us in this very emotional (both good and difficult) time in your life.
Reply
Beth
7/13/2011 05:17:02 pm
Meg - What a great entry :) loved reading your "list" and feel very inspired to create my own. I especially cant wait to sample the chex mix.. You know it's one of my favorites (probably tied with the baked beans). I KNOW that you will cross off everything. Love you so much! Xoxo
Reply
Melissa Borg
7/14/2011 05:51:21 am
Yet again you inspire me, I am currently creating my own 30 by 30. I need to hurry up, with only 8 months for me to go!
Reply
Margaret Matthews
7/14/2011 09:37:46 am
Hi Meghan,
Reply
Michael_T_Malley
7/15/2011 07:39:03 am
Absolutely love the list.
Reply
Aunt Erin
7/15/2011 08:51:52 am
Well you better get crackin' sweet cheeks, you're going to be one busy girl.
Reply
Gina V.
7/15/2011 02:14:10 pm
I thought Nichole and I were LIST crazy...But you take the cake! You have inspired me to make my LIFE list too!
Reply
Kristin Stamm
7/16/2011 02:55:51 am
I was going through some old cards and papers the other day (finding many old lists along the way) and found my graduation card from your mom. I had originally saved it because of the quote that was on the inside of it. After reading your blog, I felt that this quote summed up your current list and battle pretty well.
Reply
Future_Mom-in-law-Diane
7/17/2011 08:17:21 am
Everything you do gives me a boost - your an inspiration to just take life with grace!
Reply
Angela F
7/21/2011 03:55:24 pm
WOW!! eloquent, powerful, PERFECT list...I would expect nothing less from you. Love, Love, Love you, girl!!
Reply
Leave a Reply. |
AuthorMy blog to keep you all Archives
December 2021
Categories
All
|