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Showing posts with label happy. Show all posts
Showing posts with label happy. Show all posts
“Being happy never goes out of style.”


       I was tagged by the lovely Kristy from twist and sprinkle. This is my first tag ever and I’m really enjoying it. It took me a while, but I’m in finals and ladies it hasn’t been pretty haha!

1.  What is your favorite thing about Christmas?
My favorite thing about Christmas is seeing everyone so happy! I really enjoy seeing the pictures of the family reunions, all the food!! In my country, Christmas season lasts almost until February so I love the music, the food, las “parrandas” the celebration in general!

2.  When you were a kid, what did you leave for Santa on Christmas Eve?
I used to leave Santa milk or coke with some cameos, chocolate chip cookies or Oreos!
3.  Do you and/or your family have any Christmas traditions?
Las “parrandas”, “arroz con dulce”, “coquito”, we have a lot actually! Christmas for Puerto Ricans involve a LOT of traditions and activities! It is truly amazing! In Christmas is where you can really get to know our traditions. We are recognize for our Christmases because they are really long and full of life and joy.
4.  When decorating, do you go all out or just do a small amount of decorating?
My mom actually decorates a lot!! Inside and out, but since my dad passed away almost two years ago she hasn’t decorated that much! This year she isn’t going to have a tree so that is really sad!!
5.  What is your favorite Christmas dinner food?
Hands down “pasteles”!!!

This is how a Christmas dinner would be like! It is so delicious!!

6.  What is your favorite Christmas movie?
I have so many, all the ones that involve some kind of romance!
7.  What is your favorite Christmas song?
It is definitely “Santa Baby”.
8.  What was your favorite gift you've ever received?
My favorite gift ever…. That is a tough one! Now that I don’t have my dad with me, I would have to say that looking back now I really appreciate my dad’s presence more than material gifts.
9.  What is your favorite Christmas memory?
My favorite Christmas memories are the ones that involve my daddy since he is no longer with me. I remember him always waking me up on Christmas morning; he was more excited than me by far! It was amazing!!
10.                    Does it snow where you live?
No!! And I suffer each Christmas because of it! I’ve been able to see the snow, and I love it so much!
11.                    Do you own an "ugly holiday sweater"?
No! Sadly, I don’t even own a pretty one!
12.                    Hot chocolate or eggnog?
Definitely hot coco!
13.                    Have you ever been kissed under mistletoe?
No but I sure look forward to hahaha!

I tag...

1- Danielle Saint
2- Ashley from Ciao Bella
3- Hanan
4- Charlotte
5- Liz from my pretty obsessions


'Christmas Is Here' Tag by Twist and Sprinkle: 
1. What is your favorite thing about Christmas?
2. When you were a kid, what did you leave for Santa on Christmas Eve?
3. Do you and/or your family have any Christmas traditions?
4. When decorating, do you go all out or just do a small amount of decorating?
5. What is your favorite Christmas dinner food?
6. What is your favorite Christmas movie?
7. What is your favorite Christmas song?
8. What was your favorite gift you've ever received?
9. What is your favorite Christmas memory?
10. Does it snow where you live?
11. Do you own an "ugly holiday sweater"?
12. Hot chocolate or eggnog?
13. Have you ever been kissed under a mistletoe?


And let’s remember that… “Christmas doesn't come from a store, maybe Christmas perhaps means a little bit more....” 
― Dr. Seuss, How the Grinch Stole Christmas!
Hello everyone!

      That girl you see in that picture is me 9 years ago. I couldn’t let this month pass without me sharing my victory. This month is really important to me because it is like mi second birthday. Nine years ago they told me that I entered remission. For those who don’t know, remission is when you are cancer FREE!
      My story began when I had 10 years old. I was diagnosed with Hodgkin’s lymphoma stage 4A, which is the strongest. I had the mass in my chest which was 12cm and because of where it was it wasn’t operable. I also had metastasis in my spine, hips, femur and supraclavicular. They couldn’t even explained how I was walking, the considered it impossible. One day I was getting some blood tests, the other I was in the San Jorge children hospital. They began my chemotherapy right away but the first thing they told my mother was that I had not even a 1% chance of making it.
      I remember spending the 24 of December in intensive care because God sent me a doctor that came back from his vacation to do my biopsy. The next six months I spent them in the hospital taking six sets of chemotherapy that consisted of different sets of chemos for seven days. But because I always had complications, the one week always turned into two or three.  
      One of the complications during the chemo treatment was that the doctors inserted a catheter into my chest and few weeks after, it got infected. They removed it but I was stuck with a severe bacteria and when they removed it they left a particle in the orta vein, which can’t be removed because the high risks of suffering an embolism. Later on, during my 4th chemotherapy I didn’t showed change, the cancer and metastasis was still there and showing resistance. Doctors told my mother that there wasn’t much to do. But a miracle happened and at the fifth it was gone.
      Because of how aggressive the cancer was, I had to take radiotherapy. I needed 14 in my chest and 14 in my hips. During the 7th session of it in my chest I got hemorrhagic dengue fever and had to get hospitalized. I needed 7 blood transfusions and 5 of platelets. After I recovered from the dengue, I had to start all over my radiotherapy treatment and ended up getting 21 in the chest.   After it, I was cancer FREE!!!!!! Although I made it through, I was the only one. All my friends that were going through the same process that I was, lost their battle.
     After everything, as a secondary effect from the radiotherapy, I was diagnosed two years ago with Thyroid cancer. That one didn’t surprised me because it was so much simpler than the first one. I only needed to extirpate the glandule, take a pill and that was all.
      Through my first cancer I learned so much, I grew as a person in ways no one can imagine. I learned to really value life and what is important, I learned that we need to cherish every moment we have with our loved ones and appreciate literally everything. Life is so short, I understood this nine years ago, but get it even more now since my dad passed away. I am a miracle, a proof of God’s mercy and my purpose in this life is and will be to inspire everyone to be the best version of themselves.  
I have never shared these photos because I felt they were really personal, but this might be a good time.

With the best daddy in the world! This is when I started to loose my hair! Miss you dad!




The fun part was that artists visited us! This is me with Menudo!!!!

During my treatment I continued with my classes. I slept during the days and my mom taught me at nights. I got all A's!


      I think that bold is beautiful. When I see a kid that is going through what I was I get sentimental because they remind me my times as a cancer patient, but mostly, because I know they don’t understand it at the moment. But I have faith that the same way God used his power on me, he will do the same with them.
       This is me after nine years, better than ever. 


      I hope this post inspired you and helped you. Hope you have a wonderful day!