Sunday, March 20, 2016

Reverse Confetti {A Personal Journey}

Edited to add:
(I am so thankful and excited! I must confess...I was SHOCKED! I never win anything! LOL! This really made my day! Thank you so much RC Team for the wonderful honour!)

SFYTTWinner0416

What a weekend! Last night I sang my heart out at the Legion with my hubby, my father in-law and his girlfriend. It felt SO good to sing. It was karaoke night!


I used to sing professionally on stage throughout my 20's...but I became unwell at 29. The sickness (cancer) called for surgery and left me with a damaged leg. It was melanoma...so if you are reading this...be sure to cover up and wear sunblock. A tiny black mole on my leg literally changed my life...who knew melanoma could be so deadly. Eleven years ago, I had no clue!

34_Mar2016 
Anyway, I can still sing with a damaged leg but performing, wearing those fun character shoes and those vivacious dresses, is behind me now. I actually would love to sing with a small group; like a trio. I miss belting out those old Ella Fitzgerald or Doris Day tunes...Singing last night, brought back a lot of good memories. Sigh...


But then today I got crafty and I let all of that creativity out! Ha! After months of scrimping and saving (the Canadian dollar is worth about 75 cents US), I picked up a couple of stamps from Reverse Confetti. I have met the owner, Jen at the CHA a couple of years ago. She is a lovely person and I am happy to finally delve into her products. I could not resist the roses. I LOVE floral stamps! I played along with their current sketch challenge and I was inspired by the pretty graphic over at Inspired by All the Little Things. SO I used the colours in the photo on my card...the inspiration was so springy and fresh.

See this photo below...this is what I looked like one year ago...


In the spirit of sharing, I just had to share this photo of my hubby and I. My mom took it on her old phone camera so it is not a good quality shot but it shows the weight loss I have achieved. Last week I hit 67.5 lbs lost...my leg is still mangled but I am feeling more like me again. That counts for a lot! I have 27 more pounds to go and I will have reached my goal! My parents are so happy to have "me" back again...it was like I went missing for about 11 years!


This post is all over the map but what I am trying to say is this...no matter what happens to you in life, you are in charge and you can overcome any disability. It took me 11 years to figure that out. I feel so happy now and back on track...who knows...maybe I will make it back on stage again, one day soon...

30 comments:

  1. What a wonderful post Lesley! Thanks for sharing....your card is gorgeous and congrats on the weight loss, you look awesome!

    ReplyDelete
  2. Thank you so much for sharing your personal story. You're an inspiration! Oh yes, and your card is beautiful, too!

    ReplyDelete
  3. What a beautiful card Lesley, it is so colorful and cheery. Thanks for sharing your life experience, it is very inspiring to know, and way to go with all the weight loss, you look awesome! and you never know that you might just land up on the stage singing your heart out, nothing is impossible! Congrats and all the very best!

    ReplyDelete
  4. Lesley, you & your hubby look awesome (and so happy!). Glad to hear about your fun evening singing your heart out - sounds like a hoot. And of course, your card is just lovely :o)

    ReplyDelete
  5. What an inspiring post and a beautiful card to go with it. Thank you for sharing, Lesley!

    ReplyDelete
  6. You look fabulous Lesley! Thanks for opening up and sharing your story. It will bring hope to many!
    Your card is beautiful... as always!
    (We have to take out 3,5 Dirham for a US$.Add shipping to that and it really gets crazy ... and the reason why I use my Silhouette so much !)
    Have a great week !

    ReplyDelete
  7. Thanks for sharing your story! You two look so beautiful and happy on that picture. :)
    Oh, and great card. Love it :)

    ReplyDelete
  8. What an inspiring post Lesley - I had no idea you had been through so much. So happy to hear how well things are going for you now on your journey to wellness in every sense - you look amazing in the photo! Love your card too - so cheery.

    ReplyDelete
  9. Your card is great , and you look great !!!!!!

    Ineke

    ReplyDelete
  10. What a beautiful post Lesley! My heart is so very happy for you! You look amazing...and as always your card is perfection too!

    ReplyDelete
  11. I so much enjoyed reading your blog post today. Yes it takes time, but you've got there and well done you x You are a very beautiful lady...and talking about beauty this card is a beauty too. Love the fun and vibrant colours x

    ReplyDelete
  12. Oh Lesley what a wonderful post! I am so glad you shared your story on your blog. Blogging is a great way to help with overcoming and dealing with disability. Your card is gorgeous, so glad you got some RC. I have that same rose set and now I have been inspired by you! You look amazing my friend. Your weight loss is something to be celebrated. I know it was hard but I am happy you feel so good. ~hugs

    ReplyDelete
  13. Lesley thanks for sharing your story. I had no idea that you had melanoma. Cancer is so so horrible!!!! I'm so happy that your life is back on track. You look fantastic!!!!
    Your card is lovely as always!

    ReplyDelete
  14. ♥ Beautiful stories to share Leslie. How exciting for you to feel fresh and new now!! And to go sing again, I'm sure that if it's your passion you will find a way to get back to it!! And a beautiful card to boot!! HAPPY MONDAY!!

    ReplyDelete
  15. You are beautiful Lesley, whether thin or fluffy! Thank you for sharing your story.

    ReplyDelete
  16. What a wonderful blog entry! Thanks for taking the time to share your passions, tragedies and journeys with us! I love learning more about the people that I adore in blog land! You look fantastic!! <3

    ReplyDelete
  17. oops...got so taken up with your story I forgot to mention your card is lovely too!

    ReplyDelete
  18. So happy to hear where you are on your journey, Lesley - congrats on facing and surmounting the life challenges that have been thrown your way! May you continue to feel the strength, joy and stamina that you feel today!

    ReplyDelete
  19. Lesley your so beautiful and such a heartfelt post today. I can totally relate to what your saying thank you for sharing your heart this morning. Have a blessed week.

    ReplyDelete
  20. Lesley,
    Your so beautiful.. thank you for sharing your heart and your story this morning you totally made my day. I love the colors on your card just like spring.

    ReplyDelete
  21. Wow, Lesley! I really enjoyed your post, and of course your card! I am glad for you in these major victories, and so happy they detected that melanoma in time. Melanomas often appear on legs and arms of women, (and they can metastasize quickly!!) which I learned after doing quite a bit of research on skin cancer this summer when I had 3 lesions biopsied. Still need to have the 3rd re-biopsied as it was a spitz abnormal lesion and identified as precancerous. I've been a bit avoidant, but know I must face up to it soon!! Posts like yours are a helpful reminder that we are not alone in our journeys, though it can feel like it sometimes. Thanks for sharing and here's to rediscovering you!

    ReplyDelete
  22. Oh, BTW, your linky was open for the last challenge until today at 12pm noon; however, your post said it closed at 12pm Sunday. So there was a discrepancy. Just thought you would want to know-- as I thought, oh maybe I have an extra day to link up!! I kept looking at the linky time and it was set for Monday at 12pm, unless my eyes or clock were deceiving me!!

    ReplyDelete
  23. Thanks for sharing your amazing journey! I am thrilled that you got your health back in order. It have been hard work and lots of determination, I am sure. Your card is stunning just like you, Lesley! Hugs!

    ReplyDelete
  24. You go, girl! I know you'll find that stage again, probably sooner that you may think, too. Such a gorgeous card to match today's post! Make every day beautiful.

    ReplyDelete
  25. Thanks for sharing your story Lesley. Congratulations on all you have accomplished. You look fantastic. You Go Girl!
    Your cards are beautiful too. :)

    ReplyDelete
  26. Thank you for sharing a part of your journey, Lesley. You are definitely an inspiration to us all and a beautiful reminder that no matter the troubles that come our way, we can -- we will -- overcome. "For He has overcome the world."

    ReplyDelete
  27. I agree with Anita, you are beautiful whether thin or fluffy! The important thing is how you feel about yourself, and I'm happy you're feeling great! Congratulations on your weight loss, I know how hard that is. I'm proud of you!

    ReplyDelete
  28. What an amazing journey you have had Lesley and how you have come through so well. You are looking sooooo good - and so happy. Thanks for sharing your story with us all. May you continue to live a long happy healthy life.

    Love your bright colourful card. Wishing you too a BEAUTIFUL DAY.

    ReplyDelete
  29. Thank you for sharing this heartwarming post with us Lesley. You've been through a lot and you've come out the other side a stronger happier person. Congrats on your wieight loss, you look wonderful! Speaking of wonderful...what a pretty card!!

    ReplyDelete
  30. Wow...what an achievement! One pound is something to be proud of...67.5 is amazing. Congratulations!

    ReplyDelete

Thank you for stopping by! I appreciate the time you took to leave me a little stamping love!!
Lesley :)