Is There A Pickle On Your Tree?

It is Christmas time. Is there a pickle on your tree? No, really -- I mean it, do you have a pickle on your tree? If not, you must get one. Not only for your tree but your health as well.

A new holiday tradition

Have I lost my mind? Well, probably if you ask my family but not today. There is an old legend that if you put a pickle Christmas tree ornament up, the first person who finds it gets an extra present. Or that person gets to hand out all the presents on Christmas morning and gets an extra present. I came across this legend a few years ago and read an article about it today and I immediately related it to my cancer journey. I actually relate everything, positive and negative, to my cancer journey.

Do you have a pickle?

So where is your pickle? Who is your pickle? What is your pickle? It needs to be something that brightens your face and makes you gleam with pride in your darkest moments. Is it your spouse? Is it your children? Is it your grandchildren? Or maybe it is your favorite hobby. Whatever it is you must find your pickle!

For me, it is my three grandchildren. Even if it's a picture that my children send me or a video, or I look back at pictures from the past few weeks, they always bring an ear to ear smile to my face. They brighten my day no matter how bad I am feeling. They are truly my pickle and I call them "my pickles." I can tell you when I say it in public people look at me like I a nutcase but I know what it means and so does my family.

The time is now

In this transition in your life and lifestyle, you must take time to find the positive. It is there. I truly believe that. We may have a terminal disease but we cannot allow that disease affect our lives 100% -- there are already enough physical changes that we go through so I feel we must find the positive in as many situations as we can.

There are so many opportunities available to us. Is there a trip you have always wanted to go on - GO. This is the time. You will have those memories forever and that trip can be your pickle. Is there someone who lives far away that you haven't seen in quite sometime - GO. Don't let cancer take everything away from you. Tell yourself, "Cancer, you can take my lungs, but you're not taking my sanity." And that is what it boils down to.

Find your pickle

I am not saying your anxiety won't rise during this time because I would be lying to you. There are days I am shaking due to anxiety -- but I still go out and try to find my pickle. I may simply pull out my phone and watch a video from last week to see my 7 month old granddaughter start to crawl. Those 60 seconds take me to my happy pickle place.

Find yours!

Editor’s Note: We are extremely saddened to say that on January 28, 2020, Jennifer Toth passed away. Jennifer was a passionate advocate for the Lung Cancer community. She will be deeply missed.