Fairy Tale Life
I have been living a Fairy Tale life. Sure, there have been bumps along the way but I have mostly been blessed with happiness, love, and success. My Fairy Tale began in 1961, when I became the baby in a loving family. Fifty three years later I am still considered the baby! Growing up in a small community surrounded by friends, and family was filled with happy times.
My Fairy Tale life expanded and grew when I married Joe and had three beautiful children. Raising my children has made me complete. Zac, Chad, and Reilly are my pride and joy; they have grown and matured into amazing, successful, funny, caring adults. I am proud to call them my children and my best friends.
I have been blessed with great friends, a fabulous career, and a large loving extended family! My family has traveled extensively together and I live in my dream home. I have often thought, “Life just can’t get any better than this!”
Every Fairy Tale has an evil character! The twist in the lovely plot of my life has thrown an unexpected turn on my otherwise lovely stroll through an ideal life. I wake each morning hoping that it is all just a bad dream and life will go back to normal. This is not the case, but I am still praying for the happily ever after in my Fairy Tale. Just like the third little pig, my house is built of bricks! Just try and blow it down big, bad wolf! If I am Little Red Riding Hood, I have plenty of hunters ready to slay the wolf. Call me Gretel and be assured my boot is kicking the witch into the oven before she nibbles on me. I am a strong Billy goat, Ugly Troll, get ready to fly right off my bridge!
I am ready to work to return my body to health so that I can continue down the path to happily ever after. Friday I had my last radiation treatment. I felt such a mixture of relief, hope, and praise for God and doctors and the miracles of medicine. I began my next phase in my treatment plan. Rather than traditional chemotherapy, my cancer will be treated with a targeted drug therapy. It is administered in pill form, which I will take each day for the rest of my life or until my cancer/body becomes immune to it. Each person reacts to this drug differently so the side effects at this point are unknown. I am told that a rash on my face and chest, intestinal distress (Oh dear!), and exhaustion may be expected. I will continue to check in with my oncologist periodically for blood work to see how the therapy is affecting my body. Scans to check on the cancer will not take place for at least three months! Until then I will continue to pray for healing and begin to try to make my life feel like my own again. I plan to smile more often, find joy in living, and celebrate life’s little moments. I have cancer, but the cancer does not own me! Thank you from the bottom of my heart for all of your support. Team Condidorio has so many cheerleaders and I don’t have words to express the depth of my gratitude.
Comments (30)
Cris, You are strong! Our family continues to pray for you and your beautiful family. This dragon shall be slain! Tom, Carol and Ben ORourke
More proof of how amazing you are! We will continue our daily prayers for you :)
Cris, You are a true inspiration for us to always remember to "celebrate life's little moments". I'm sorry that you and your family are facing this dreaded disease. Please know that you're in our thoughts and prayers, and I hope to be in touch with you soon. May God bless you with healing, peace and love! Diane, Emmalyn, Kaitlyn and Ben Osterling
Oh Cris, an amazing life for an AMAZING person!! You are so right, bump in the road but so NOT over! So much for you to do, see and enjoy so keep fighting! Thank you for letting us into your life! ALWAYS thinking and praying for you! You CAN DO THIS! Take care, Rich and Sue
Good morning, Cris. The sky is blue...the sun is bright...the chill in the air reminds us of the warmth in our heart. Enjoy THIS day and know that you are in my thoughts and prayers. ~Danny
Cris, you are truly inspirational with the strength, clarity, and serenity you demonstrate. Our pastor did a dedicated prayer for your healing this morning at our request and we will pray the same for you and your entire family. Pat Moran and family.
Cris, what a beautiful testimony of your life within a Fairy Tale. Even though our paths don't too often meet, my prayers are with you and your family every day and night. I can't help but believe the positive outlook you carry may be the best medicine yet!! Keep up your courage, strength and trust in God for this fairy tale to have "and they lived happily ever after" ending!! God bless you, Cris! You are a true inspiration!
What a beautiful post Cris... I believe your fairy tale will prevail and that this is just a bump in the journey towards your very happy ending ! I will continue to pray for you and your beautiful family:)Keep up the good fight!!
I got the chills reading your post, Cris. You have so many blessings and so many more to come! Watch out "Ugly Troll" (CANCER) - You are going DOWN!! Amy O
Cris, With the positive attitude and zest for life that you have.....half the battle has already been fought and you have won! I know we will continue to pray and cheer you on. I am faithful that cancer will not get the best of you! Keep us posted. XOXOXOXOX
Thinking of you everyday Cris!!
Cris, You could truly write a book, that was so eloquently written. After reading that, I thought about another analogy - "The Little Engine that Could". I THINK I CAN, I THINK I CAN!!!! I and many, many others think of you each and every day, believing that you "can" fight this each step of the way! Melissa
Cris, you are in my thoughts and prayers every day. You will have your Happily ever after.
Yes, Cris, so well written and you have had and will continue to have that life! You are so blessed with your friends and family -- keep up the good work...thinking of you each day -- Christie G
Beautiful!! I continue to keep you in my thought and prayers every day. Hugs
Beautifully written, Cris! Your positive attitude is inspiring.
In the Fairy Tales of life, you are my hero, Cris!
From your brother John, a limerick: My baby sisters nickname is Cheech Who felt her life had been a walk on the beach As she battles with cancer I pray for an answer and her return to the young ones to teach!
Such a beautiful share. Our prayers for you continue.....
You go girl. You have a positive attitude and with all the prayers surrounding you, you will have success. I am happy for all you have and who you have in your life. How much better can this get? God love and heal with.
A true hero you are! You certainly have left a lasting impression on my daughter, Jayde! She will often ask about you and ask how you are doing! She told me today that you responded back to Mrs. Stimmel's message with "I love you back!". That made Jayde's day! Know that we are sending positive thoughts and prayers your way every day! Danielle and Jayde
Leave it to you to write such a perfect analogy! Thinking of you and praying for you and your family every day.
Hello Cris, We serve an awesome God and I truly feel that he surrounds you with peace and protection constantly. You and your fantabulous family are in my every waking thought and daily prayer. So many people love you and care about you. Thank you for taking us on this journey with you....xxoo....Karen Varricchio
Love u.
Cris, so beautifully written. I pray for your continued wellness.
Thinking of you...stay strong Cris...
So beautiful...I love the image of you as these Fairy Tale characters kickin this villian! You are doing it!!!-continue to reach up and reach out for strength, comfort and courage as you take on each new day, Cris. God is with you~
Chris, we have never met, but I know many in your family - and am so proud to know them. I have encountered difficulties, and God has definitely held my family up, as I know He will yours. Extra prayers for you during this holiday season, and peace also. I often say that I stopped asking God for strength, especially when Gretchen and I were in Pittsburgh for her 6-organ transplant, because He gave me too many opportunities to gain strength. So now I pray for peace - it's so much better for me. And I hope you find that peace too. God bless.
Thinking of you today, Cris, and praying for you and your family!! Sending you caring thoughts and prayers for a beautiful holiday season! Melanie
Hi Cris! I am thinking of you and sending warm wishes, peaceful thoughts and a Saturday prayer as you delight in this day. Love, Danny