Happy New Year!

My 2009 in review...

Various jobs this year:

• The usual inspirational speaking
• Working at a cute maternity clothing boutique that unfortunately closed
• Giving out Bolthouse Farms samples of smoothies and salad dressings at various grocery stores
• Babysitting here and there
• Since February, enjoying my job at an upscale children's clothing boutique

Medically:

• Passed the 5 year No Evidence of Cancer Anniversary on May 19th!
  
• Went through extensive testing on my arms and back (nerve conduction, etc.) as there has been pain and various numbness since November of 2009...all the tests came back normal-The symptoms are probably from radiation and scar tissue-and it's just something additional to learn to live with.
• Chest pains this summer that came and went after a few weeks and testing that showed nothing...
• Officially diagnosed with "chemo brain"
  

Classes Passed (1 semester until graduation from undergrad!):

• Asian Art
• Painting I
• Figure Drawing
• Art Therapy: History and Theory
• History, Philosophy and Systems of Psychology
• Phenomena: Shame, Guilt and Forgiveness
• Art Therapy Apprenticeship-working on a medical psychiatric unit & a kids camp
  
• Introduction to Measurement and Statistics (Psychology based)
• Introduction to Research Methods
• Ceramics I
• Painting II
• Intermediate Drawing
• Art for Elementary Grades
• Art Therapy Introduction
• Personality Theory

Speaking, Teaching, and Volunteer Opportunities:

• Belleville Catholic Conference for High Schoolers
  
• Pike Press Scholars Banquet
• Aaron Hubbell Memorial Golf Tournament
• American Society of Interior Designers & Bone Marrow Drive Event
• American Cancer Society's Relay for Life
• Encounter
• St. Mary's Hospital Celebration for Life Luncheon
• Cameron Siemers for Hope- Santa Ana, CA
• Taught an art class to children at hospital I was treated at
• Various work with the American Pain Foundation as a PCAC member
• Accepted position recently on a board of young professionals that assist local cancer charities
  

My husband and I were in 5 wonderful weddings and Godparents in our nephew's baptism.

Rest in Peace: Gabe's Grandpa, Gabe's cousin David, my Grandma, our friends- Jenny and Don

Trips: Minneapolis, MN; bed and breakfast for our 1 year wedding anniversary!; Santa Ana, California; Des Moines, IA

Thankful for: the return to health of various friends and family, the love and support of friends, family and God and endless blessings.

Much was learned, many tears were cried but there was so much fun and love to go around too!

Looking forward to everything on the horizon for 2010...

Love,
Rachel

National Pain Awareness Day

In honor of National Pain Awareness Day, I thought I'd share one of their publications with you (you can also find my story on the front page)

Pain Community News

I am in Santa Ana, California speaking tonight at this event with the Cameron Siemers Foundation for Hope...I'm really looking forward to it!

Today, I am thankful for so much and an amazing week-celebrating my grandma's life, having a triple date with inspiring people and sharing time with friend and family.

Love,
Rachel

Great Conference!

I just returned from an amazing conference with the American Pain Foundation in Minneapolis, MN. It was great to see old friends and meet new people. The people that make up this organization are dedicated and do wonderful things for people that live with pain-pain of all types- from disease, from accidents, etc. Many of them volunteer endless hours to fighting for the over 75 million Americans that suffer from chronic pain! (That does not account for those who experience acute pain every year from injury or illness.)

If you are someone living with pain or know someone who is, I highly recommend visiting painfoundation.org!

Now, time to rest up and recover for another non-stop week!

Today, I am grateful for amazing organizations, wonderful opportunities, friends, family and God!

Rach