Happy Anniversary

     "Happy Anniversary!" is usually followed by lots of smiles, cheers, and well wishes. Not today...not for me. Today is the one year anniversary of the beginning of the scariest year of my life. A year ago today, I was diagnosed with breast cancer. I had officially joined a club I had NEVER wanted to belong to.

     I will never forget standing in the small mammogram room and hearing the doctor say, "You have Ductal Carcinoma in Situ."

 

Carcinoma... that word bounced around in my head.

 

CARCINOMA...CANCER.  

 

How could that be? I didn't even have a lump!

 

My head was swimming and my stomach was churning as I realized I had just become the 1 out of 8. (One out of every eight women will get breast cancer.)

     Within days of finding out I had breast cancer, I found myself in a flurry of medical activity involving biopsies, ports, surgeons, oncologists, nurse navigators, pathologists, radiation oncologists, chemo classes, PA's and nurse practitioners. I also found out my cancer wasn't just DCIS. It was much worse.

 

 Cancer had just turned my life up-side down.

     I have always believe that knowledge equals power so I began reading voraciously to find out as much as I could about the specific kind of breast cancer I had. Armed with that knowledge, and feeling comfortable with the doctors I had chosen at Roger Maris Cancer Center, I began this year-long venture to be cured.

     Becoming a breast cancer survivor is bound to teach you a few life lessons.  I have learned so much! Some things I could have done without (nausea, diarrhea, ER visits, mouth sores, severe muscle aches, and the "hairless Chihuahua" look!!!) but others have been true blessings.

 

I have learned that so many people care about me and my family. All of us, Arland, Kristi, Bob, Katie, their spouses, and I have been supported by well wishes and prayers by so many. My friends (both teacher friends and non-teachers) have been amazing. They have sent a multitude of cards, given much needed hugs, sent flowers, emailed, delivered food during chemo, texted, called just to chat and stopped by our house to visit. This tremendous support has helped me heal, physically and emotionally. It also has helped Arland and our kids cope.

     I have also learned that most of the time, fear is worse than the cause... fear of the unknown, fear of the treatments, fear of "what if it comes back", fear of the pain. Cancer brings with it soooo many fears.

     And now, one year later, I believe I am doing vey well! I am back to doing most everything I was doing a year ago before cancer invaded my life. Stamina and getting all my blood counts back up to normal are areas that are still lacking. Slowly but surely, I WILL get there!!!

 

It's an amazing feeling to be a survivor!

     I have shared my story very publically and allowed everyone to fight the fight along side me. Cancer was an awful thing but I look at it as a speed bump: It may have forced me to slow down but it didn't ever cause me to loose hope! Now, I am excited to get back to living. It's almost spring, treatments are nearly over, I am in a good place, and I am happy to be here.  

     I am so proud of and grateful to my family and friends. Just saying "Thank you" is simply not enough. I'm not sure what I can do or say to feel like it would be enough. Until I figure that out, I will simply say, "THANK YOU for being a true friend!!!"