My fifth cancer anniversary!
Yes, I am five years in!
Hey, Five Years Inn readers! Today is an important anniversary for me. I woke up with a start because I knew the day had some sort of meaning and then, I remembered, it’s the five-year anniversary of my breast cancer diagnosis – and I am still here!
It hits me this way every year – the shock of the memory of nine months of treatment, mastectomy of my right breast, five weeks of daily radiation treatments and reconstruction surgery. The memory replaying like a fast forward Tik Tok video in my mind, rolling into the surgery theater for the first time, sitting in the chemo chair, the needle in my arm and on and on. But mostly what I remember is the anxiety, the fear and the questions. What comes next? Will I beat this?
To be sure, I am an optimist by nature and looking on the bright side is where I typically begin any challenge. But this one was a doozy. Thanks to my supportive husband, David, family and the incredible doctors at Memorial Sloan Kettering, I survived and today, I can say I am a five-year survivor of breast cancer! And, now I am grateful, so very grateful, and happy. Recovery from cancer is not a given, and I know I am blessed to be doing so well today.
On this anniversary, I’m sharing a picture I’ve never made public before. My husband took it the morning after my mastectomy, and with a smile on my face (induced by the heavy-duty pain meds, no doubt), I prepared to move ahead.
In the meantime, I’m excited to be launching this newsletter and hope to hear from you about how you are pursuing live after a cancer diagnosis and treatment. Please email me your questions, stories and thoughts! I want to hear how you deal with the aftermath of cancer! Thanks, and welcome aboard!