When I first thought about starting a blog, I wrote down names that I thought might fit me and my goal of having a blog. I knew I was going to write about cancer, specifically Stage IV or metastatic breast cancer but I didn’t want the word CANCER to take center stage.
When I was growing up, my parents would sometimes call me “Carol Sunshine”. I thought that if I could somehow incorporate the word “Sunshine” into my blog name it might help reflect the attitude I wished to portray. While we were tossing around ideas, my husband suggested, “How about ‘Sunny Side Up’?”
As we talked about it, I felt like that could represent one of my goals for life. Do I want to go through life face up, looking for the sunshine? Or do I want to fall face down on the ground, crying and miserable because I have cancer?
While I don’t believe that a “positive attitude” is going to fix everything, it may help me through the rough patches that I know are coming. Maybe it will even help make me a nicer person to be around. A bad attitude didn’t cause my cancer and a good attitude isn’t going to cure me, but I do think that it can help make the journey a little brighter.
It would be foolish to think that every day will be filled with sunshine. Clouds happen. Rain happens. Bad stuff happens. Some days are going to suck and be hard. I know that. I’m here to share my story. The good, the bad, even the mundane stuff. I hope by writing this, I can give you a view into my world and what makes me tick. This is my way of giving you a glimpse into the world of cancer and how my husband and I not only cope, but thrive.
We believe in laughter, which really is the best medicine – and it’s FREE! We also believe it’s OK to cry and it’s OK to be angry at times. There are no guarantees that any of us will see tomorrow, so I’m doing my best to live my life with joy and thankfulness. I want this blog to reflect that.
Carol
Cancer has progressed to my bones. I pray that it never enters my soul.
Carol, your humor, common sense, and faith in God are truly an inspiration.
Thanks Carol, I love that you started this blog and the name is awesome! I hope Snoopy is staying safe from the vicious Marty! I am trying my best to keep our stuffed critters safe from Cindy!
Carol, I apology that I haven’t responded sooner. Just the other day I mentioned that I wanted read your “my sunny-side-up but I couldn’t find it on my e-mail. I mentioned it to Bobby and discovered it was on his e-mail. I am in awe of your sharing your journey with Stage 4 breast cancer. Your humor, common sense and faith are truly an inspiration.
I also appreciate your candor. I feel it gives me the opportunity to understand your experience and not hesitate to convey my best wishes very time I see you. God bless and thank you for including us in your blog. Sincerely , Anne
Anne, thank for your kind words. I will never forget that you were the one who “talked me down from the roof” when I got my first cancer diagnosis. You sat beside me on our loveseat as our holiday party was winding down. It was the night before my mastectomy. I don’t know if I ever told you that, and for that I am sorry. I have told many other people how much you helped me and to face my fears. I am forever grateful to you for that!
Hi Carol! What a great first entry to a blog that one not only help you, but also the folks lucky enough to read it. I was going to ask you to revisit your comments about the effect that positive and negative thoughts can have on your cancer. Studies have shown that the mind is incredibly powerful when given the opportunity to “do its thing” to battle disease. Your radiant outlook on life and refusal to be sucked into the toxic and damaging spiral of negativity is most definitely helping you and this most challenging assault on your body and spirit. Give your tremendous outlook on life a little more credit for helping you make the most of each precious moment, good or bad, knowing that you are fighting this battle with your head held high, using all of the resources and tools you have been given.
Hugs,
Joe 🥰
Joe, I agree with you. The mind is, indeed, a powerful tool. My issue is that when people say, “Just think positive.” “Just be positive.” “You can beat this.” If that person dies of the disease, then it puts the onus on that person. They didn’t fight hard enough or they weren’t positive enough. I will do my very best to remain positive and will do all in my power to make the most of each moment. Thank you again for sharing your thoughts.
Hugs back to you,
Carol
Insightful response
Carol, thank you for this. I love your attitude and appreciate that you are willing to share your thoughts about your journey with us. You and Marty are such wonderful people and we are so lucky that you are our neighbors. Sending you both love!
Thank you Paige! I appreciate the kind words.
Carol–I was captivated by the photo you chose for your “Welcome” page. Looking forward to future posts–Thank you, Bob
Bob, it’s a great photo isn’t it? Not mine, so I can’t take the credit, but it just resonated with me for some reason.
Sunny Side up is perfect! We walked the beach in Coronado yesterday and the sunshine felt warm and welcoming, just like you. I do not think your brain will be taxed writing as you are a very smart articulate woman. Sending you loving sunshine.
Thank you Didi. Hopefully the writing won’t be as effortful as the article you, Judy and I wrote together!
Carol, this is really wonderful. I am looking forward to following your blog! Thank you for sharing your journey.
Thank you Lara!
I love the name Carol:) Thank you for including me in your journey. We are so lucky to have you and Marty as neighbors:)
Enjoy this day Carol Sunshine!
Thank you Kathleen. We do, indeed, have the best neighbors ever!
Thanks for sharing your life, thoughts and lovely writing with us, Carol. I love this idea!
I hear your voice coming through in your writing which makes me feel like we’re sitting in your living room sharing a cup of coffee. Keep writing and know that you are thought of as you navigate this journey called life. ~Joy
Thank you Joy. One of the comments I have next to my keyboard is, “Live life with Joy”. 🙂
Carol, you are an inspiration to us all.
Dear Carol…Can’t thank you enough for this precious reminder to find joy and goodness in life even amidst terrible pain. If you don’t mind, I will sometimes share your thoughts with my own precious patients; many who struggle with chronic pain. It is a genuine pleasure to call you “friend.”
Dear Carol…Can’t thank you enough for this precious reminder to find joy and goodness in life even amidst terrible pain. If you don’t mind, I will sometimes share your thoughts with my own precious patients; many who struggle with chronic pain. It is a genuine pleasure to call you “friend.”
Caroline, I would be honored to have you share anything that would be helpful. Thank you for your kind words.
Love the name. . . Love the openness, honesty and positivity. Love having you both as neighbors!
Thank you Aaron. We do have the best neighbors ever!
What a GREAT way to promote connection!
Many 🫂.
Thank you Chris!
Carol Sunshine, You are the most inspirational woman I have ever met. I am so blessed to have your friendship and honored to be a part of your journey. I love that you are blogging and sharing your experience, we support you and love you always.
Thank you Janet! You’re an inspiration yourself!
Carol, this is so inspirational. Your writing is so inviting and positive. I love that you are blogging and look forward to next one. This will help others that are in the same situation or know of someone who is going through it and your words can lift their spirits. In fact this is eye opening for all of us. Proud of you for having the courage to share.
Thank you for your support, Shirin! I would love to be able to encourage someone with my words. I appreciate your kind comments.
Love that you have started a blog. You are gifted with a communication style that is entrancing and inviting. It’s warm and insightful. Looking forward to many more! This will surely help others who just don’t understand what it’s like to hear those words. Happy you are sharing your sunshine warmth.
Thank you, Mike. I appreciate your comment and your support.
Wow Carol. Congratulations on creating your blog. I love your writing style. Now whenever I see you and Marty taking a neighborhood stroll I will think of the song, “Walking on Sunshine.”
Thank you, Debbie. I love that song!
Love it my friend! I hear your voice coming through little miss sunshine!
Thank you, Judy. I think that people who are going through their own issues get it. I’m no expert, but if you ever decide to start a blog of your own, I’d be happy to share what little I know with you – or at least recommend some good books!
Thanks for sharing your inspirational thoughts! I love that you started a blog.
Thank you, Sue. I hope it will help. I have a lot of topics running around in my head. Just wait until I start writing about Puke-tober!
Carol, what a wonderful start to your blog. I love your approach to such a difficult situation. May God continue to cause his face to shine upon you as you continue to look up!
Thank you so much, Pastor. Your book, “Blogging for God’s Glory in a Clickbait World” was very helpful in defining my priorities. The catchy title caught my eye, too!
You are truly inspirational! I believe writing will definitely help you and your husband, navigate the present and future….with love, “sunshine” and grace. I know cancer all too well, and sharing is not only helpful to the one traveling the journey, but to all of those around you. During my beloved husband’s journey, he would dictate to me, and I would write an ongoing communication to all who knew him. It was therapeutic for him, so welcomed by all, and beneficial to everyone. I look forward to your future writings. You have been so welcoming and loving towards me, ever since I moved here and I am forever grateful! You are so loved and appreciated!
Thank you, Katrina. You’ve been through so much. Thank you for sharing the story of your husband. What a gift you gave him.
Holy Moly! I love reading your words, perspective, and wise thoughts. Glad to take this journey with you!
Thank you, Merri. It is definitely a learning process!
Write on girl!!! Excited for the next installment!!!!
Thank you, LeAnn. Coming soon to a blog near you – “Roller Coasters and Thrill Rides”. Stay tuned! 🙂
I think this will be a huge help to other people going through similar experiences. You have a really great “writing voice.” Love you, dear friend.
Thank you, Diana. I do hope it will help. The writing is stretching my brain, but I like it.
Glad to see you’re blogging! Looking forward to reading more 🙂
Thank you, Margaret. You are the first to comment! I appreciate your support!