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Category: My Pink Journey

5 Years Later

Cindy15 Comments

Today is a special milestone in my cancer journey. It’s been exactly 5 years since I was diagnosed with breast cancer. As long as I live, I will never forget that day. I was so scared. I didn’t know what to expect for my future. Would I live, would I lose my breast, would I die before seeing my grandchildren born? What treatment would I endure or what surgeries would I have to undergo? So many questions and really no answers for me that day.

What a dark and terrible day it was — March 10, 2008. I sit here and don’t even know what to write as I reflect back on that horrible day. I guess I can say with utter joy that today, March 10, 2013 is a glorious day. I am cancer free. I am alive. I have been so blessed to see two grandchildren born into my family. My health is good. My life while forever changed because of cancer, is better and I am stronger for having faced this deadly foe.

I am so thankful to God for allowing me this victory. They say that the 5-year mark after cancer is a good milestone. Most cancer, if its going to return, will have reoccurred by now. I am guardedly optimistic today. It is a good day. A good day to say thank you Lord for the life you have given me. Thank you everyone for your love and support all these years. And here’s to many more cancer-free yearly milestones in my life!

4 Years Later

Cindy6 Comments

With October being breast cancer awareness month, it seems like an appropriate time to do a pink post of my own. Four years ago, my whole world was rocked when I was diagnosed with breast cancer. When you get news like that it literally takes you to your knees. I’m reminded of the song lyrics that say we’re all just a phone call away from our knees. Wow how true that is!

Four years ago after I got that phone call, I began what I later called my pink journey. You can read all my blog posts about my breast cancer journey here. Blogging and sharing my experiences through the whole cancer journey was very helpful to me. With the love and support of my family and friends, and my faith, I am happy to say I am a survivor today.

Three Years Later

Cindy

October is breast cancer awareness month. It just so happens that it has been three years since my diagnoses of breast cancer. And it’s been exactly three years ago that in October of 2008 I finished up my cancer treatments. I haven’t written about what I called My Pink Journey in quite a while so this milestone seems like a good time for an update.

I am thrilled to report that I am cancer free. I just completed recent scans and everything is clear. Many people refer to this as NED (no evidence of disease) and we cancer survivors all love to say that we are dancing with NED. We all hope to continue to be dancing with him forever if possible.

I’ve heard it said that time heals us and while most of my physical issues from cancer have healed, it’s what remains that sometimes fills my thoughts and lingers in the back of my mind as I move forward with my life again after cancer. I’m sure its the same for other people that face this beast, you just hope and pray it never returns.

So as a reminder don’t forget to be diligent against this formidable foe. Self-exams are so important as no one knows a woman’s body better than herself. After all I found my own tumor and even my doctor didn’t think it seemed like anything until after a biopsy confirmed my cancer.

As I reflect back over the last three years, I think the most important thing I want to say is that cancer didn’t beat me. You do learn not to think about it every waking moment. You can get your life back. You are able to return to a new normal in your daily routines. And with the help of my faith, family and friends I am a stronger, better person today for having faced cancer.

Out of the Pink

Cindy14 Comments

Just when everyone is getting into the pink and promoting pink for breast cancer awareness, I’m posting about being out of the pink. My being out of the pink is a really good thing. Because what I’m referring to is my being free of breast cancer.

For those that may not know about my pink journey, you can read all about it at the link provided. I haven’t posted about my cancer in quite awhile. Not that I don’t think about it but sometimes it’s just good not to have to dwell on cancer too much. For the first year after being diagnosed with cancer, that’s all I could do was think about my cancer. At times it felt like I could never NOT think about it. It’s always on your mind and you try real hard not to let it drive you crazy. Then as time goes on, it gets better. It’s not in every thought you have. It’s not the first thing you think about when you wake up and it’s not the last thought you have when you drift off to sleep. You do learn to deal with it or at least come to terms with it.

The battle is never easy and at times unbearable. But for me, time has helped and my body has healed. It’s been just over two and a half years now and with just having completed scans for cancer two weeks ago, I have good news. I am so happy to say — I’m out of the pink and into the NED. NED being no evidence of disease. All I can really say is praise God and try to remember to enjoy each and every precious moment of life.

If you take nothing else from this blog post, I hope you take a moment to be thankful for your health, your life, your family, your faith, and remember all those who are still battling this vicious foe. Some day all our tears will be wiped away and there will be no more pain, no more sadness, and no more death.

Two Years Later

Cindy21 Comments

Two years ago today, I was told that I had breast cancer. I will never ever forget the feelings and utter terror I felt that day. My mind ran through all the different scenarios and I faced some of the most terrifying moments of my life after my diagnoses. As I look back, its the unknown that was the worst. It’s not knowing what the outcome would be and questioning myself about my strength to face this beast.

I have heard many people say that battling cancer makes you a better person. You don’t take things for granted. You love your family a bit deeper and you know how fragile your good health can be. You face your fears. You endure surgery, chemo, hair loss, and radiation. You fight to get well and get your life back as you once knew it. And you remember to enjoy each and every precious minute of your life.

Sure it’s been hard, I won’t try and sugar-coat cancer. There is nothing sweet about it. It tears you and your family apart and you are never the same again. Yes you can get better and yes you learn that you can face your worst days. You heal and become a stronger person for all that you have experienced. You find a new strength within yourself and you move on.

So as I look back on this two year cancerversary, I am thankful to God above and feel blessed that I’m cancer free now. I look forward to many more years of good health, loving my family, and enjoying my life. I know that I am stronger and that I can and have faced cancer. I move on now with a new sense of courage and conviction.

In closing, I want to express my gratitude for all your love, support and prayers. You have all helped me more than you will ever know to be able to endure and succeed in this journey that I began two years ago. Thank you all!