Holiday depression

by Thursday, December 19th, 2013Breast Cancer23 comments

I finished the book Empty Mansions that I had downloaded from the library to my Kindle. That was pretty fascinating, to read about the wealthy Clark family and how much the heiress Huguette gave away to her caregivers.

I am now in the middle of reading Eat Pray Love by Elizabeth Gilbert. This is a book that I have heard of but never got around to reading. I just saw the author the other day on The Colbert Report promoting her new book The Signature of All Things. I thought I might like to read one of her books, so again I went to the library site to see if any were available for a Kindle download. I found Eat Pray Love and started reading. I can’t tell you how I feel like this book came to me right when I needed it.

The one thing that I have been dealing with the past week is a whole lot of worrying and the blues. I have heard that depression is something that might come on. Well, it has come, and I am trying my hardest to keep my chin up. The thing is, it doesn’t last long and comes and goes in waves. It’s not something that I have had to deal with in the past.

The nurse that I had on Monday said that some people, when faced with a serious illness, can go through almost a grieving stage like losing a loved one. I guess it might be a combination of my body going through all these changes and it being the holiday season. Who knows? I feel that talking about it with Mark and my family has helped. I am just really looking forward to spending Christmas with our families next week.



I am still keeping myself kind of quarantined from the rest of the world. There are only a few places that I run out to. I go out to fuel up the car or drop something at the post office. It came as a surprise to me when I stopped by the post office last week to find a package in our P.O. box. There was a box with a pouch of Organic Favorite Five Mixed Grains cereal from the Grain Place Foods company. The note inside said that the sender knew I was a fan of steel cut oats and that he likes these with cinnamon and sugar. It was signed, “An old friend.”

I did give the cereal a try, and it was quite nice. The texture and flavor of the little grains of sesame seed and barley were a pleasant change of pace from the steel cut oats. Thanks, old friend!



23 Comments
  1. Melissa Laughlin

    Hi, Amy,

    I’m so happy you have Mark there to support you! I will be thinking of you this Holiday season. You are such a strong person and you have faced this challenge with such grace. I’m here if you need to talk.

    Love you,

    Melissa

    Reply
    • Amy Czerniec

      Melissa it does help to have him by my side. I hope you have a wonderful Christmas with your family. :)

      I love you too.

      Reply
  2. Steven Leff

    I have been thinking about you a lot everyday and you are always in my prayers. Your strength and courage have been an inspiration to those around you and I think it is awesome that you have Mark and your family to provide pillars of strength at times of need. I hope your holidays are filled with love as you continue on your path of complete healing.

    Reply
    • Amy Czerniec

      Steve I draw strength from knowing that you are thinking and praying for me. Thank you for such kind and beautiful words. I have been truly blessed with a wonderful family and surrounded by so much love.

      I hope your holidays are filled with love and joy.

      Reply
  3. Jamie Dieter-Pias

    Hi Amy,

    I just want to let you know that right next store we think of you often. You inspire me everyday and I visit your blog as often as I can just to see you.

    Lots of hugs
    Jamie

    Reply
    • Amy Czerniec

      Aw thanks Jamie. We are so lucky to have such great neighbors all around us. Thanks to Joe and Nolan for shoveling the other day! :)

      Reply
  4. Marianne Germinaro

    Amy,
    It was nice talking to you yesterday! I am so proud of you and how you are handling this illness! You inspire me with your great strength in all that you’ve been through and your positive attitude you have when I talk with you. Can’t wait to see you on Christmas Day and Mark too. Love you lots, your sister Marianne

    Reply
    • Amy Czerniec

      Our conversation was nice. I am so excited to see everyone next week, and look forward to eating all that wonderful food, yum!

      Reply
  5. cindy sklansky

    I know it is hard, but you need to beable to get out among the living, it really helps. I realize you are afraid of getting sick, with the flu or cold, but being confined to small tasks and not being as active as you were is not good either. Call mybe you can come to my house to get out.

    Reply
    • Amy Czerniec

      Yeah maybe we’ll hook up sometime soon. Thanks!

      Reply
  6. Betty Jo

    Hey beautiful woman!! Thinking of you & Mark, wish I could be there with you all…stay strong! Love you both, your FAVORITE ;) cousin, Betty Jo

    Reply
    • Amy Czerniec

      Ha ha Betty you are so cute. I wish you could be here as well. I always love hearing your laugh, it brings back so many memories from the times we were together at grandma’s.

      I love you.

      Reply
  7. Bridgett

    Hello there my friend… So sorry to hear that you hv the blues! You are such a Beautiful person Amy and Bob and I think of You and Mark often and feel very fortunate to hv u 2 in our lives ;-) wish I could zap those blues right away frm you! I hv all of next week off-would really Love to get together w you? I ll be calling U

    Reply
    • Amy Czerniec

      I loved talking to you this morning. I can’t wait to meet up next week.

      I love you guys so much.

      Reply
  8. Amy Evans

    Hi Amy,

    I think it’s probably natural to get a little depressed. I’ve been depressed over a lot less! From here you seem like you are doing beyond great. I’m really so proud of you. I heard you went for a visit with sandy the other day. That had to be good for a laugh or two. Wish I was there. Miss you all. Have a good christmas. Looking forward to more posts. Love you so much.

    XOXO Amy

    Reply
    • Amy Czerniec

      I have gotten over some of this moodiness. I just got done with Eat Love Pray and found some solace from reading about meditation. Who knows maybe I will find a guru.

      I had a wonderful time visiting with Sandy and Jim. It would have been nice to have you in the mix. :) I love all of you Maidenform girls and wouldn’t know what I would do without your friendships.

      Have fun with your little ones this Christmas.

      Reply
  9. lynn erickson

    You and Mark are such a great team. I am always here for you and thinking about you. Love you Amy, have a good Christmas.

    Lynn

    Reply
    • Amy Czerniec

      Thanks Lynn. I do feel so very lucky to have such a wonderful loving husband. I knew he would be my rock when I was faced with this diagnosis.
      I can’t believe it’s been a year exactly since you and I have seen each other. Remember bumping into each other last year at Target? :)

      Have a Merry Christmas and say hi to your wonderful family.

      Reply
      • lynn erickson

        I was thinking about that Target rendezvous as well! The long line!!! Ha, this time I didn’t cut it as close :)
        Happy New Year!

        Reply
  10. Angela

    Merry Christmas, Amy and Mark! Its been a crazy week but this morning I woke up and thought of you so I checked out this blog… NEVER fails to inspire and encourage me. Thanks for being so real and so you and for sharing the journey. Love you guys and hope you have a great holidays. Prayers a comin per usual :)

    Reply
    • Amy Czerniec

      Merry Christmas to you Angela! Thanks for being such a wonderful loving and caring friend, we are so lucky to have you next door.

      Have a wonderful Christmas with your family.

      Reply
  11. Glenda Gillis

    Hang in there Amy. I think you are “superwoman”. I hope I can find your strength if and when I need it.
    Glenda

    Reply
    • Amy Czerniec

      Glenda you are so sweet. I don’t know that I am “superwoman” you should see my messy house. :-( I can’t say that I am any stronger than anyone else, I guess when you are faced with something, you have to do what you gotta do.

      Reply

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