This past week at my cancer surgeon appointment, I heard some great news! I am now two years cancer-free!
Some of you may think my worries are all in the past. In a sense, they are. Any day of life you’re given after a cancer diagnosis is a blessing, so two years is a wonderful thing to celebrate.
I don’t dwell on the what-ifs, but any time I experience an unknown pain, the word ‘cancer’ is my first thought. Any knot, bump or lump will cause concern. I admit the thought surfaces quickly. I hope to omit chemo and radiation for the remainder of my life. Once is enough. No, I’m going to rephrase that—once is too much. A well-known fact is that having it once possibly increases the chances of it reoccurring, but not always.
I did have another knot come up in the same breast a couple of months ago, and a needle biopsy gave me a result of negative. I’d already decided that, whatever happened, I’d do what I had to do.
I don’t hit rock bottom and begin having pity for myself. I’m no better than anyone else who has setbacks in life, but I deal with them in a positive way. It’s just who I am. I guess I’m just trying to point out that a cancer survivor can be cancer-free but never cancer-sure.
When my mother was going through breast cancer, I told her I believed that God chose people who had great faith in Him to be an example of how to deal with such personal struggles. My mother was a fantastic example of keeping your faith, finding a reason to laugh and appreciating every minute of your life. I didn’t just tell her that to encourage here. That’s the way I really fell, so I felt privileged that God chose me as He did her.
She didn’t end up being a cancer survivor, just a cancer endurer. Cancer survivors have a close bond that’s shared. Their faith is strong. They think positive; full of spunk and determination, they never give up.
A friend of mine that I’ve known many years says I have a warped personality. Now, don’t think she’s putting me down. She says that’s one of the reasons she loves me so much.
Hey, I think a cancer survivor with a warped personality has a nice ring to it, don’t you?
To all of the cancer survivors out there, just know that I’m proud of you!
Until next time.
