When You Don’t Fit the PTSD Mold
I just discovered today is National PTSD Awareness Day. I thought I would take a minute and remind everyone that PTSD (like any other disorder) does not black and white criteria or checklist. You do not have to fit perfectly into the diagnostic box to struggle. a well-defined black and white box. Recently, I have […]
Redefining PTSD
WOW. That is all I can say. My phone and social media completely blew up following my last post. It’s amazing what happens when we put our heart out there and share our struggles. Here are just a few of the extraordinary messages I received: “i just read your most recent blog post and it […]
The Best News We Never Expected
We are now with the ‘survivorship’ doctor. Because we are over five years out from treatment and cancer free…
We talked through current concerns and the future of Marjorie’s treatment journey.
And then she said something I was not expecting…
The House Don’t Fall When My Bones are Good
My therapy session started off the way all hard sessions do. Me: “I’m doing great.” Therapist: “That is wonderful.” Me: “Yes. I finally feel good physically and we had a great spring break trip with the kids. I haven’t been sleeping well. But other than that little issue things are great.” My therapist began asking […]
Betrayed By My DNA
“Hi, McCall. I’m calling with your genetic results.” “Yes, go ahead,” I said into the phone. “You have tested positive for the CHEK2 genetic mutation. As we discussed, this increases your risk of breast cancer 40-percent, as well as an increases your risk for colon and thyroid cancer.” I listened numbly as she […]
Unplanning Death
Death is never a pleasant subject. I have never handled death well and it seems to be knocking at my proverbial door more than ever. Not in an ominous/grim reaper way, but as a reminder of past suffering. The aftermath of Marjorie’s early birth and cancer, resulted in PTSD that manifested in massive anxiety about […]
Prayers for Marjorie [Round 3]
Tuesday, January 28, 2020 What a day! Forty-eight hours ago, my girl lay practically lifeless in a PICU bed connected to every machine available. Her breathing was dependent on a mask that covered her whole face and kept me from giving her a million kisses a minute. After another very restful night, Marjorie woke up […]
I AM BRAVE! Marjorie’s Story
How do you tell your child they had cancer? How do you explain the magnitude of their first year of life?
You don’t. Well you do…when the time is right.
Today we had our yearly oncology appointment. I drag my heels making this appointment I dread it. This year I got a sinking feeling, not that cancer had returned (that lives in the back of your mind), but that Marjorie would ask me WHY?
Hi. My Name is McCall and I’m an Imposter
Ever feel like you are floating through life with no idea what you are doing, but you are doing it anyway? That has been my reality every day for the last seven years. I started Southern Smash without a single clue as to what I was doing, but knowing in my gut this was what […]
Year 8: Thriving with Intention
Eight years. Eight years of recovery. Eight years of falling (and getting back up). Eight years of life slapping me in the face. Eight years of choosing recovery over and over…and over. On this day eight years ago, I was faced with a decision: admit to treatment and choose recovery or fly home and continue […]