May 18, 2022 - Closing a Chapter

This week is bittersweet. I am in the final week of being an official SAP employee. My last day is May 21, 2022. As I write this, I have been reflecting on my career and my time at SAP. Those years shaped me into who I am today.

After 17 years, leaving a company is a very difficult thing to do. I am in the process of detangling my life from SAP. It has been so intertwined. I had to buy a new iPhone, iPad, and laptop. I have spent this week slowly moving personal files over to my new laptop and “setting” up my new life.

Stop working. Boy, it is odd to reconcile. I have worked all of my life. My first career began at the ripe old age of 12 with babysitting jobs. I spent my middle and high school years working summers at the YMCA as a camp counselor. I spent time in retail, working late hours after school and on weekends. Once I was out of high school, I worked full time and paid my way through college. I have always worked.

So, this is a foreign concept for me. But it is right. It is correct. It is time. I will always be thankful for my SAP family. It was sobering to write my “final” goodbye email to my colleagues, but I am glad that I got the chance!

As you may remember, I stepped away from SAP to focus on my health late last year. With the time away, it brought clarity to my life. Jamie and I have spent many hours discussing our life and our future. We have celebrated my good days and endured the bad. Even though there are good days, I cannot escape the fact that I have Stage IV cancer. There is no cure. There is only life left to live. I plan on living it!

It became clear to Jamie and I that it was time for me to make my retirement permanent. My focus will be on my family and my health. My focus is to be the best Mom possible for Mason.

Speaking of health, I do have a bit of news to share. My hematologist switched me from Lovenox (injections twice a day) to Eliquis (oral medication twice a day). I was so happy to hear the news - shoot, my thighs were happy! My bruising from the shots are already clearing up. I have more blood work on Friday to make sure my kidney’s are tolerating Eliquis. I am hopeful this regiment is here to stay! I have enough needles in my life, I won’t miss these.

My left leg (the one with the blood clot), was getting better. However, it has become swollen with the new meds. I’m hoping it is my body adjusting. Time will tell. My next scans (MRI and PET scan) are coming up soon. I will share those results with you then.

Life is marching on here. I don’t speak often of the side effects, but they are with me daily. We have become experts at managing them. We live in 3 week increments, centered around my Mayo visits. We are thankful every day that we live so close to this medical facility. It is a wonderous machine.

Oh, and I did just celebrate another trip around the sun. I have the dubious honor of celebrating my birthday very close to Mother’s Day. It was a great celebration with my two loves. Jamie spoiled me at lunch and Mason made me a beautiful Orchid from Lego. Finally, an orchid I cannot kill!!

I hope everyone is enjoying the beautiful month of May and the promise of a relaxing Summer. It’s my favorite time of the year. The page is turning and a new chapter begins…