Score: Rebecca 2, Cancer 0

Sometimes I feel like I am a goalie in the net of life--stopping, blocking, and deflecting disappointments and tragedies. Always on guard, always moving side to side to keep life from throwing a biscuit in my basket! Sometimes life wins and manages to squeak one by. Not this week, however. I had a shutout!

Today, my mom had her medical procedure to check on the status of her pancreas and gall bladder. The development of cancer is a possibility, but thankfully, all is okay for now and we get a reprieve on bad news for who knows how long. I'll take it. Years ago I learned that each day is a gift and I need to appreciate it for what it is. Stop worrying about the past and trying to control the future. Deal with the present. In the past year I've had to remind myself of this philosophy.

On Friday, Russ and Cora will be able get out of this frigid weather and return to Florida as planned. Yea for them!

On Monday, I had my annual mammogram. As all you ladies know, it's not high on the list of fun things to do, but something we must, must, do! I swear, though, the technician compressed my breast so much that I felt like if I had a tumor, it would have popped out on the floor and I would have been cured. Even though it's not pleasant, I urge you to get your mammogram scheduled for this year if you don't already have it on the books, especially since it can take months to get on the schedule, wherever you go.

Many of you may not know that in 1987, when I was 25, I was diagnosed with breast cancer. It was a shock to my system, especially since we have no family history of it. I underwent a mastectomy, reconstructive surgery, and a year of chemotherapy at the University of Michigan Hospital. There were so many questions, would I survive, would the chemotherapy destroy my chances of having children, would my long, thick hair fall out (what can I say, having cancer doesn't make you any less vain)? Then, there was always the thought of when and if it would return.

After almost 22 years, I'm ecstatic to report that I am still cancer free! Every year when I go for my mammogram, I remind myself not to get ahead of myself. Of course, that's always easier said than done. It's been so long since I've had bad news regarding my health, I have to make sure that I don't get too cocky or overconfident. So, I sit in the waiting room and have my private discussions with God. On Monday, I told him that this would really not be a good week for a cancer recurrence because my parents are in town. All I can say is, "thank you God."

I must admit that having cancer is really what taught me that "attitude is everything." Having a positive attitude doesn't mean you'll always have positive outcomes, but it does help to cushion the negative impact.