From the Front Porch: A Hopeful October

Hello from the front porch, sweet friends.

Welcome to the latest edition of this weekly series, A Hopeful October.

Thanks so much for spending time with us today.

How has your week been?

Almost a year ago, my aunts and a cousin were at my parent’s house helping my Mom create a warm and inviting holiday home.

It’s a tradition they’ve had for as long as I can remember. 

Once they’d placed the last ornament on the tree, they started cleaning up and hauling bins back to the garage.

On the way out though, one of my aunts missed a step and fell to the floor.

While she put on a brave face, it was obvious she was scraped and sore.

So, the next day my loved ones decided to leave early and take my aunt for further evaluation at a hospital closer to her hometown.

That one decision probably saved her life.

For when she got to the emergency room, they took x-rays of her shoulder and found an area of concern in one of her breasts.

Additional testing revealed she had an aggressive form of breast cancer.

To say we were heartbroken about her diagnosis is an understatement.

Despite having no breast cancer history in our family, it was sobering that my aunt would suffer the same fate as one of her sisters.

We’ve since come to understand that sporadic breast cancer accounts for the majority of breast cancer cases and occurs without any genetic predisposition. 

Since her diagnosis, my aunt has had two surgeries, undergone countless rounds of chemotherapy and is now starting radiation.

While she lost her hair for a bit, she never lost her spirit.

She continues to be a beloved treasure to our entire family, and we pray daily she will not only get to ring the bell soon but will also make a full recovery.

I share this story (with permission) because neither of my aunts had a single warning sign they had breast cancer.

They never felt a lump or bump.

Their labs were normal. 

They didn’t have unexplained weight loss, dimpling, discharge, pain or any of the other symptoms usually related to breast cancer.

For one, it was a routine mammogram that prompted further investigation that caught her cancer early.

For the other, a fall that led to an Xray.

So, as we celebrate all the good things October has to offer, including Breast Cancer Awareness Month, I encourage you to know your breasts and talk to your doctor if you notice any changes.

I also want to strongly encourage you to schedule a mammogram if you haven’t already.

While everyone’s cancer journey is different, when we choose to share our story, we not only shine a light for ourselves but for each other as well.  

So, I want to thank both of my aunts for allowing me to share their story in the hopes it could help inspire or save someone else.

And for my wildly creative friend Rachel, of The Ponds Farmhouse, who continues to share her story as she bravely fights ovarian cancer.

And for those of you who have shared your stories and your loved one’s stories for valiantly keeping hope alive.

A Few of Our Favorite Posts From Around the Web This Week…

Beautiful Home and Garden Tours:

• Bria Hammel Interiors is at it again. Wait until you see this lake house. (via Bria Hammel Interiors)
• Sarah Richardson created a home off grid and there are lots of pretty spaces to explore (via HGTV)
• This Charming Miner’s Cottage via My Scandinavian Home is lovely.
• Speaking of which, have you seen Caitlin Covington’s dreamy North Carolina Home via House Beautiful yet?

Seasonal Inspiration:

• 15+ Decorative Bowl Filler Ideas for Fall (via The Ponds Farmhouse)
• Fall Decor Made Easy with Blue and White Accents (via An Organized Season)
• French Country Autumn Decor Ideas (via The Live Oak Nest)
• Losing it in the best possible way over this garland (via Thistlewood Farms)
• 5 Places You Should Refresh In Your Home Each Season, According to Designers (via Real Simple)
• Hallmark has released their annual Countdown to Christmas Watch Guide (via Hallmark Channel)

Health and Wellness Inspiration:

• People in the Happiest Relationships Do These 5 Things (via CNBC Make It)
• Budget Friendly Grocery Store Swaps (via The Everygirl)
• 7 Ways to Soothe Your Nighttime Anxiety  (via Time)

Makeup, Style and Travel Inspiration:

• Fall Trend Report (via Tuckernuck where everything is fabulous)
• Beauty Award Winners (via Allure – I look foward to this list every year)
• The 40 Best Small Lake Towns in America (via Country Living)

Encouraging Words…

 

If You’ve Missed Anything from the Blog Recently or the Archives, Here’s a Peek At What We’ve Been Up To…

 Fall in the Field

Fall Inspired Outdoor Tablescape

Fall Inspired Outdoor Dessert Buffet

How to Personalize Pumpkins with Paint

Pumpkin Spice Golden Milk Latte

Shopping Notes…

(Amazon affiliate links have been provided for your convenience. As an Amazon and Impact Media Associate, I earn from qualifying purchases. Any sales made through such links will support us with a small commission at no extra cost to you. You can read our full disclosure policy here)

• Kakhi Cropped Sweater (8 colors to choose from)
• Loafers (25 colors to choose from depending on size)
• Makeup Bag (gifted last year, 31 colors to choose from depending on size)
• Pearl Earrings (have, love, and wear these all the time, 3 colors to choose from depending on size)
• Blue Floral Pillow Covers (8 colors to choose from depending on size)
• Sweatshirt Dress (12 colors to choose from depending on size)
• Bracelet Watch (3 styles to choose from)
• Luggage Set (5 colors to choose from depending on size)
• Bud Vases (7 colors to choose from)
• Throw (13 colors to choose from depending on size)
• Striped Pullover (8 colors to choose from depending on size)
• Tote  (3 colors to choose from)
• Washable Rug (4 colors to choose from depending on size)
• Candlesticks (have and love, also available in black)
• Assorted Pillow Covers (15 colors to choose from depending on size)
• Navy Pullover (24 colors to choose from depending on size)

As always, we appreciate you more than you could ever know, and we hope your weekend is peace-filled and relaxing.

We can’t wait to share even more next week!

Until next time, I’ll see you on Instagram, Facebook and Pinterest.

Many blessings,

CoCo