It’s my birthday! Last year, I looked forward to being a year older. I couldn’t understand why so many people loathe them when we all want to live a long life. That’s the goal, right? We all want to live to be 100! To get there, you have to attain all the numbers in between.
Five days after my last birthday, I had a routine mammogram. I was shocked when I learned I needed an immediate ultrasound. I thought I may not see another birthday. After recovering fully from boobectomies and reconstructive surgery, I still can’t believe I was diagnosed with cancer. I have never gotten used to saying that word.
As I hunkered down with close friends and family to heal, I reassessed. I looked honestly at my life and how I was spending my time. Now I surround myself with people who enjoy my company and support me. I’m excited about my projects and am working hard. Yep. I’ve got another one in the works. I’m sending my book to a professional editor on Monday. Whew!
I don’t feel any different about my birthday this year. I’ve always felt that life is precious. I am grateful to have so many candles on my cake and I plan to add a lot more. I am not a woman who dreads being another year older. I’ve earned it!
Last year’s birthday
There are things I can’t change such as my height, the fact that I will never be a pro tennis player or a rock star, or the fact that I had cancer. But I can be a redhead! I made an appointment and plan to get pampered on my birthday.
Last year, I wrote a list of ways to celebrate. Number 1. was getting together with family. I’m looking forward to a celebratory dinner with them once again, but afterward we’re going to DANCE!
This is from my rain dancing days with the photo bomber.
My ordeal was more positive than negative. I’ve learned a lot about myself. With adversity, and the gift of living another year, comes clarity. I know who I am, what I’m capable of, and where I’m going. That’s my birthday gift to myself.
Getting older is a very good thing!
Do you look forward to your birthday?
Susie Lindau's Wild Ride 
Happy Birthday, dear Susie! This year has certainly been a wild ride for you and we are so glad you took us all along with you. We’ve all learned a lot, thanks to you! Celebrate in your own special style and … listen … can you hear all of us celebrating with you? * R O A R! *
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Thanks for coming along and supporting me along the way Pat!
It was a Wild year, but I accomplished and learned a lot! I can hear you!!!
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I don’t dance, Susie, but I’ll roar with Pat to celebrate your birthday. You’re an amazing woman and an inspiration to all of us.
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Thanks so much David! You made my day!
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Happy Birthday Susie!!!!! So glad you made it. I want you stay around for another fifty or sixty or more years. Just one thing, C is a sneaky b****ard. Keep seeing the doc because the bugger might try to pop up somewhere else. Love ya.
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Thanks Tom! I am taking very good care and have only a 13% chance of recurrence. They know that through the DNA of the cancer. I will always have annual check ups and I’m assuming, blood tests. I’m not at a year yet. That will come at the end of May.
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Passed your web link along to the lady on Entertainment tonight who is experiencing what you have gone through. I sent it to her Contacts on her web page. I hope she reads it. You’ve been an inspiration and maybe a humorous/serious take on the disease will help her.
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Wow Tom! Thanks! How do you know her?
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TV, of course. I’m schmucky the blogger. I know no one.
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You’re just like Me! Thanks again Tom!
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I’m turning 50 this month. There will be live music, cookie buffet, elephants, snakes, jousting, canoli, hot-air balloons, exploding toilets, and a parade.
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WOW! Send me an invitation! That sounds like a BLAST!!!!
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Happy Birthday, Susie! Here’s to years and years of dancing, laughing, and loving wildly! You’re a rock star in my book!!
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Thanks so much Mary! That’s the plan. I’ve always lived large and now I try to live in every moment!
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Celebrating with you in spirit Susie. have a wonderful day! Love ya!!
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Thank you Anonymous!!!! *muah!*
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Happy Birthday Susie! You rock life! Go and party hard!
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Thanks Phil! I didn’t drink too much, but I hit the dance floor HARD!!!!!!!!
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Happy happy birthday Sweet Susie. I hope you have many, many more with lots of celebrating, dancing, and family and friends. May you never stop living life to the fullest.
Patricia Rickrode
w/a Jansen Schmidt
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Thanks so much Patricia! That’s my plan! Luckily I have a low risk for it showing it’s ugly face again. This will be a great year! I hope yours is too! You just had your birthday!
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Happy Birthday, Susie. Mathair and I wish you the best and many years to come. I’ve never felt one way or another about getting older. Of course, Mathair would say that’s because I’m 27, but another year means I’m a bit wiser in all aspects of life, so I take it as an upside. 😉
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It’s all good and every birthday marks another year of life! Thanks so much for the support and birthday love!
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Happy Birthday, Susie! Yes, thank God for another birthday. You are awesome and inspiring and we need you to live to 100, for sure! Cheers!
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Thanks Lynn! So do you! We have a long way to go and lots to do! Thanks for stopping by to celebrate with me! *muah*
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Happy Birthday Susie! I’m looking forward to my next birthday too!
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Thanks 1point! When is your special day?
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Happy Birthday – here’s to many more.
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Thanks Aussie Emjay! *clink*
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Another birthday … how hideous! 🙂 I see you went ahead and baked a cake. Love it! It’s great to be able to celebrate your birthday with the people who love and support you. Get your groove on girl! I love that Wild Rider mentality and I’m so glad I got the chance to meet you through the world of blogging. I know you’ll have fun in whatever you do!
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Thanks so much Guat! I’m so glad I met you too!
I went out with the family last night and had a blast! We even hit the dance floor. Good thing Danny bought me exactly what I wanted this year. An exercise bike! After last night, I realize how much I need to get my knees in shape! OooooO! OoooO!
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Bikes are definitely the way to go on that one … it’s hard to buy you a pool. Seeing how you have winter snow and freezing temperatures in winter and spring. Bike is definitely way to go for your knees. Nice gift. So glad you had a great time 🙂
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Happy Birthday Susie! Another candle on the cake couldn’t happen to a nicer person. 🙂 Age is just a number.
Congrats on sending your book for editing! That’s a huge step.
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Awwww! Thanks so much Jackie! You made my day. Age is irrelevant when you think about it.
I am pretty excited to send it out! It’s my first so I figure it will be good to get professional eyes on it before looking for an agent. It’s cheaper than taking a 3 credit course at CU and I know I’ll learn a lot!
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Happy Birthday!!!
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Thanks Austin and for the Birthday tweets!
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🙂
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Happy birthday. What a beautiful perspective. Yes, I look forward to my birthday ( and everyone else’s). I lost my mom only 108 days after a cancer diagnosis, so I know how precious and shockingly short it can be.
Every day is a gift. 🙂
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It is a gift. I’m so sorry about your mother. I am so lucky that I skipped going to my mammogram the year before and not last year. The cancer wouldn’t have shown up on that screening since it was lobular (long and skinny) and then I would have been screwed this year when going in! I don’t know why they tell women to go every two years.
Thanks so much Lori!
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You’re a gift, Susie Lindau. A very happy birthday to you, and we wish you many more joy filled years to come! This is my month, too… I have to admit, I have been less than joy filled about it, but hey. You remind me that there’s plenty of good things to celebrate! Cheers to you xox
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Thank you so much! That is so sweet. I am so glad we met here in the blogging world!
You have to celebrate it Alarna! Becoming a year older is a part of life! I am so glad to be around for another year. Cheers!
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Happy Birthday, Susie. Many many more.
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Thanks Elyse! That’s the plan!
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Happy Birthday! Enjoy your day and revel in all the things that make you happy!
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Thanks so much NH! I took a personal day off from writing and pampered myself then went out with family. It doesn’t get any better than that!
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I do not look forward to my birthday much the same as I get sad when reading a book that I love and realizing there are only a few chapters left. However, I love your story of reaching beyond the number to the life, the joy and the possibilities in between.
Best of luck for continued good health and the happiest of all birthdays!
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None of us know how long we have, so I just live in the moment. I’ve got a lot I want to accomplish and just knowing what I’m striving for is a gift in itself! I think it’s silly to be depressed since so many don’t get the luxury of celebrating a birthday. Young and old are taken too soon. Birthdays are the celebration of LIFE!
Thanks so much! I am working on it!
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Happy Birthday, Susie! I’m very glad you got through that very rough patch last year. Good luck on the book. You’ve done the harrowing wild ride. Now I hope you move onto a more rewarding one with your masterpiece this year.
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You must be clairvoyant! My next project has a “masterpiece” in it! 🙂
Thanks so much! I still can’t believe that happened to me. I’m one of those people who was always telling others to eat organic and to use organic cleaning products, avoid plastic, blah blah blah and here I am. Life said, You can’t protect yourself from every environmental carcinogen and there’s no sure fire way to prevent cancer.” I get it now, life! GEEZ!
Thanks so much for all the support and birthday cheer V!!!!
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You really are wonderful!
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Thanks Julie! So are you! *muah*
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And I agree with you about getting older – it’s great!
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Hope you had a super day, and Many Happy Returns!
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It was a great one! I had my hair done, went shopping, had a pedicure, and then went out with family! Thanks so much!
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As far as I’m concerned, my friend, you ARE a rockstar! You inspire me every time I find the time for a visit. I just wish it were more often. I hope you had a very good birthday.. I’m fairly certain you did.
Rock on, my dear. Rock on!
-Jimmy
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Thanks so much Jimmy! It’s so great to “see” you! I had a great birthday. I never take them for granted that’s for sure!
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Glad to have you around, Susie.
Keep up the good work, babe!
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Thanks Hook! I’m very glad to be here!
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