I hope everyone had the amazing Holiday that I had. I'm the luckiest girl. My family came to see me on Christmas Eve and sang Christmas carols since I'm still on quarantine and not around anyone that's sick. My holiday season will end with the close of 2016. The year that changed my life.

     A year ago I didn't know I had cancer, I wasn't involved with ARVF, and I thought I was invincible. Little did I know that about a week later I would find out I'm not at all invincible. 2016 has proven to be a trying year, and I think most can agree. I welcome 2017 with open arms and a positive mind.

     Now that I'm cancer free and I do things I love, I can say I'm better off than I was a year ago when I was awaiting 2016. Yes, I've been through hell and back, but I made it to the other side. With cancer behind me and my last major surgery, there is so much to look forward to in 2017. I'll get my freedom back. My freedom was something I really missed. Getting it back seemed like a dream that would never come true. I felt that way for awhile. But now I see that I will get my freedom, I still have many steps in recovering, but my journey of sickness is almost over. I am free of the hospital chains for the foreseeable future and that's one of the biggest freedoms I could ask for.

     I hope your 2016 did not bring the surprises that mine did, and I hope your 2017 is filled with happiness and love.