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…
We started SAP near the same time and I can remember you telling me about JDE SD functionality and besides panicing - that I had no idea what S&D was (arguably still don't) but was elated bc I knew I was working with one really, intelligent woman (and there were only a handful of us at that time). It was a trailblazing era and the women of SAP have alot to be thankful to you for...it was probably challenging at times --being an authenic, smart, female firecracker in a lily-white, testosterone culture - but you never waivered. It is a gift from your upbringing that you have always been comfortable in your own skin (even needle pricked) - you had the courage, passion and loyalty to stay with SAP and helped change her for the better, you made a difference in my life and saying we are grateful is an understatement to what you meant to sooo many 'futures' of generations of individuals that will never know what shoulders they are standing on. But many of us do! Renee Harden Kranking -- I miss you, your smile and your laugh - you made heads turn in the office to see what the commotion was and we all wanted to be a part of your commotion....errr ahh... I mean circle. :) Congratulations on being bold again to close the SAP chapter -while your story moves on, your impact will continue. I wish you and your new found beginning, to be full of love, light, laughter, & a gazillion new blessings to be on your path. I love you always, susan
I know it must be so hard to say goodbye to your amazing company and coworkers. But they will stick by you regardless! I love the orchid Mason made you - what an awesome gift. Enjoy your retirement! Sending love and prayers your way ❤️