Saturday, May 19, 2012

Our Latest Story

After completing radiation treatments I am considered in remission and am transitioning to a new adventure. I have not been working outside my home because of the treatments and my Fibromyalgia. I was recently also diagnosed with Myofascial pain syndrome. The Doctor's have told me that I am in the high risk category for the cancer coming back and with not feeling great, going back to work at a traditional job is just not a good option right now. Starting a home based business seem the perfect solution.

We are in the process of remolding our home to create a spa with aqua massagers, infrared sauna, and a lap pool. These services will not only help with my health, but offer a unique service to the area. Corey and I purchased a Sentry Pool in 2007 to help with my Fibromyalgia. It has been a great benefit for my muscles and our family has enjoyed it. We have dreamed since getting the pool about having our own business. This just seems to be the right time and opportunity to do this.

I thought that given the fact that we are a home based business our customers would appreciate knowing some of our background history and how we came to the decision to open Simply Serenity Swim and Spa LLC. My husband Corey Nolan and I are the owners. We have grown up in the area and live here with our two daughters. The following is just some tidbits so you can get to know us better. We look forward to meeting you and getting to know each other.

I have an Associate’s Degree in Business Administration and have been trained in CPR, Life guarding, as an Emergency Medical Technician, and have taught swimming lessons. I worked at the State Hospital for 10 years as a Rehabilitation Therapy assistant. I quit there to finish my degree. In 2007 we decided to get our Exercise pool due to the frustrations of trying to find a place to swim. I have always loved swimming and have found it to be the best form of exercise for me. I have back problems from accidents years ago and have Fibromyalgia.

Massage has always been a form of relief as well and a few years back I had tried out the Aqua Massage unit while out of state and fell in love with it. I have dreamed of opening our own business ever since we purchased the pool, but I never wanted take the risk of quitting my job to do it. Just as I was finished with my degree I was diagnoses with Malignant Melanoma and have been fighting with it for almost two years now. Thankfully I am now in remission, however through this process of fighting the cancer my preexisting conditions have been made worse.

I am still dealing with health issues and am in the high risk category for the cancer reoccurring especially since it was found to be genetic. This is what led Corey and I to make the decision that now is the time for us to open our business. This way we will have a second income again and I will be at home should I not be feeling well. Not to mention the fact that what we provide for our customers will be helping me with my recovery as well.

Corey is a Paramedic and Firefighter with the local Department. Without him this venture would have never seen the light of day. He has been the most supportive husband and friend. He has been there to take care of everything when I am not feeling well. I have always worked and been involved with so many things. Just like the typical mom, we just think we need to do it all. I have this strong need to be useful and help out and to act like I feel fine even when I feel awful (stubbornness as Corey would call it).

I just want our kids to be as unaffected by cancer as possible so I just try to put on a smile (and my crazy big hats) and try to do everything I can for my kids, even though most days I “crash” (as Corey calls it) by the end of the day. I don’t think I will ever get past that since I enjoy helping and staying busy, but I have promised Corey to do better at learning my limits so that I can give more to my family at the end of the day (Corey now you have it in writingJ). I am just now getting to the place of accepting the hand that I have been dealt.

It has taken awhile to accept that this is God's path for me; and to realize, no matter what the circumstances, things do happen for a reason. Deciding to do our business I think has really helped give me something positive to focus on in moving forward. Knowing that this will be helping our family and that it is something I had previously thought of as just a pipe dream which I never really thought would come to fruition.

I also have to give credit to our incredible support system. We have the most amazing friends and family! Our parents have been essential in our business opening. They have helped us with building, taking care of the girls, decorating, creating a website…and the list just goes on and on. Our friends and church family have been incredible as well in so many ways. They have helped us with building, prayers and so much needed moral support; and bringing us food which has been so appreciated especially when Corey is busy and I am exhausted it is just the best thing!

As for the fun stuff we love the outdoors and camping (hence the tee pee in our back yard) and playing board games with the kids (involving a 4 year old in Scrabble is a challenge, but fun). Our kids are involved in 4-H, Sports, Camps and, of course, so are we. Corey and I volunteer with our daughters schools, church, Red Cross, and at Camp Tecumseh. This is the reason we have our volunteer program. We know that without volunteers our community would not have nearly as many opportunities as it does. So it is just our way of thanking all you who take the time to volunteer. May God Bless you and your families, I look forward to meeting everyone that God puts in our paths.

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