Is This Thing On?

It's funny how things come full circle. I'm now throwing it back to 2011 when I tried to be cool and start my own blog called "Willhite's Words." I think I had a grand total of 51 followers or something. My content consisted of green drinks, falling down in library parking lots while wearing high heels, and one awesome hiking vacation in Hawaii. Man, life was simple back then.

But, here we are. The last month of the decade. And life is anything less than simple right now. And you're here because I assume you know why that is.

You see, I have breast cancer. I am 35. My genetic testing came back today, and there's no genetic link. It just happened. And that makes me a little crazy if I'm being honest.

Before I continue, I think I need to lay down some ground rules with you, my reader. I'm a 1 on the Enneagram, and I like order and predictability. I don't want you here if you're going to be offended or pass judgement. Transparency and authenticity are two qualities I hold closest to my heart, and I would much rather see you in your ugly and broken glory than some contrived image of perfection. I don't have time for that.

So here we go...

Rule #1: You are not allowed to judge me. You are allowed to have opinions. But I don't need you going to your co-workers tomorrow and gossiping about what I did or did not say.

Rule #2: You are not allowed to pity me. Ever.

Rule #3: I'm going to talk about Jesus. A lot. He is honest to goodness the only reason I feel I caught the tumors in time, and without Him I don't want to even think about where I could have ended up.

Rule #4: I will be real, even when it's ugly and broken. I am not here to sugar coat anything.

Rule #5: I write like I talk. I am not promising grammatically correct sentences, or a perfectly composed 3.8 paragraph. I'm just here to keep it real...not have a flawless essay.

Rule #6: I will use profanity, and I am sorry if that offends you. Sometimes I just don't have another synonym for a bad word.

Rule #7: If you're here to hang around here, then do your part. I know some of you will just stalk from afar and think "Oh, I'm so glad I'm not in her shoes." If that's your approach, I would prefer you go somewhere else to spend your time. At the very least, make sure you're doing a monthly exam if you're a woman (or make sure the women in your life are doing it, if you're a man). But also, comments and words of encouragement are also appreciated. I'm not laying myself out here and being vulnerable for nothing, people.

Let's get this party started now, shall we?