Lesson one- It isn't what happens to you in life it is how you deal with what comes your way

Hello my name is Stacy McKillican, going back to my maiden name...I didnt ever want to change my name...I get why your partner wants you to take it, but it always seemed unnatural, that is the name I was born with, why would I want to change it...have always been quite independent, head strong, maybe a little stubborn, and at the same time accomodating, and flexible and do not like conflict so ended up deciding it was a fight not worth having and changed my name...things have changed since then!

So welcome to my blog I look forward to reaching out and sharing my journey, and perhaps looking at a different perspective through some of the hard challenges that I have been faced with, and also really grateful and  so very blessed to have such a wonderful support system around me.

So my life took a quite a turn in September when I was experiencing some discomfort in my legs that was diagnosed as Superficial Plebitis....after returning from a wonderful trip to London with my mom and dad and teenage daughter 15-Rayanne and 17 year old son Jay- his name is Justin but we have called him Jay since he was in grade 2 because of another Justin in his class and it has stuck...now more know him as Jay and don't realize that his name is Justin!

The leg pain turned out to be a symptom of something greater happening in my body, and I was not prepared for what I would discover.  I had just returned from Banff in August running down a mountain from an incredible hike with a special friend, have always been in good shape, physically active, ate reasonably healthy, not a big drinker, wine occassionally, and the occassional party where I would indulge on occasion!

I had alot going on as far as going through a stressful divorce, and much on my plate as VP of McKillican, but have always prided myself on keeping a pretty healthy balance, and have had the ability to block out much of the crazy...I wasn't prepared to go in for a leg pain and tell me that they may see what resembles cancer in the colon the lungs the liver it was WTF you gotta be kidding me.... What followed was a series of tests that did confirm the primary source was colorectal, where I had a small but aggressive tumour that had blasted its way past the thick walls into my liver and other areas of my body...As anyone faced with such a diagnosis you would imagine disbelief, shock, fear, many different emotions...my friends and family immediately rallied behind me as we searched for answers that have now taken us to the cross in Edmonton which the official diagnosis was Stage 1V colorectal cancer.  AM now on 5th round of aggrerssive Chemo, praying for a miracle, as everyone's story and outcome can be so different...have lost my hair that was something now think its not such a bad look...thank god I have a nice head...My best friend got me the sexiest wig ever so people actually think I look better than before...its all good....