Author: Jessica L Gardner
-
This I believe
A little over seven years ago, I did a Crash Davis-like Things I Believe In blog post on the original Little Merry Sunshine blog. To this day, it ranks right up there with my all-time favorite posts. Oh, you’re not familiar with Crash Davis’s monologue from Bull Durham? I won’t judge you (much), but you…
-
6 things I learned from my close encounter with breast cancer
Regular readers of Little Merry Sunshine know that I recently had a too-close-for-comfort breast cancer scare. In the end, I had a benign papilloma, but throughout the process of multiple mammograms, ultrasounds, two biopsies, and a lumpectomy, there was no guarantee my story would have a happy ending. Over the last four weeks, I’ve learned…
-
Lumpectomy results: A benign papilloma
NOTE: This is the conclusion to an unexpected five-part series about my first mammogram. To fully appreciate the context of what transpired, I encourage you to read the first three installments: My first mammogram saved my life, Respect my coping skills and I’ll respect yours, My lumpectomy was easy-peasy, and Post-lumpectomy recovery. By about 4:00…
-
Post-lumpectomy recovery
NOTE: If you haven’t read the first three installments of this unexpected series, My first mammogram saved my life, Respect my coping skills and I’ll respect yours, and My lumpectomy was easy-peasy, I encourage you to read them. It’s not necessary to read them in order to understand what’s happening, but they will give you more…
-
My lumpectomy was easy-peasy
NOTE: If you haven’t read the first two installments of this unexpected series, My first mammogram saved my life and Respect my coping skills and I’ll respect yours, I encourage you to read them. It’s not necessary to read them in order to understand what’s happening, but they will give you more context. My Needle…
-
Respect my coping skills and I’ll respect yours
Since sharing my mammogram and tomorrow’s lumpectomy story six days ago, I’ve been inundated with both public and private messages thanking me for demystifying the process of getting a mammogram. Women have shared their own lumpectomy and mastectomy stories, how they were scared, and how they dealt with their emotions in a variety of ways.…
-
Ask Little Merry Sunshine: Bridezilla demands to know why guests can’t attend her wedding
The editorial staff at Little Merry Sunshine has decided to get into the life coaching business because who better than Little Merry Sunshine to coach you to your best life? This new feature will run as often as you send in questions, so its success is up to you. If you don’t send in questions,…
-
Did I miss the memo that manners have gone out of style?
Yesterday afternoon I took my mom to see the movie The Judge starring Robert Downey, Jr. and Robert Duvall, in roles that should earn them both awards, in my humble opinion. Go see this movie, it’s phenomenal. When we arrived I held doors for no less than five people, some young and some old. I…
-
My first mammogram saved my life
I’m 43. I was due to have my first mammogram three years ago, but I didn’t do it. I know I should have especially because my mom had a cancerous lump removed from her breast three years ago. I could tell you the litany of reasons why I avoided a mammogram, but those reasons don’t…
-
My favorite name is Sister
October 5th marked the 40th anniversary of when I gave up the name “Only Child” and took on “Sister.” As I recall it, it was a bright early October day when my brother Dave came into the world. Fall had hit and we were wearing socks with our sandals in Ft. Myers, Florida. It was…
Jessica L Gardner 