Today is my 9-year Cancerversary! On March 20, 2002 I was diagnosed with ductal carcinoma in situ, and one year to the day later, I was given the all-clear.? That diagnosis and the year in treatment for breast cancer changed me in many ways. The whole experience was a very hard teacher - but the lessons have stuck with me.? For the last 5 years through this site, I've had the chance to pass along many of the things I've learned during treatment and survival.? I've continued learning about dealing with breast cancer - and many of my readers have taught me from their own wisdom.? The more we know, the better we can fight this cancer, and perhaps someday, it will be totally preventable.
At first, I did not expect to survive breast cancer - everyone I had known with that diagnosis had suffered and died.? My husband's mother Nancy had fought it - twice -? for 6 years, but we eventually lost her, in 1980.? Treatments have improved since then, as have diagnostic procedures and imaging technology.? Patients have become more empowered - we get to choose between a mastectomy and a lumpectomy - instead of leaving that up our surgeons.? In the past, many women went in for a breast biopsy and didn't know if they would wake up with, or without breasts!? Before the widespread adoption of sentinel node biopsy, many women endured a full axillary dissection (nasty term!) and then suffered a lifetime of arm lymphedema.? Now the practice of having almost all your lymph nodes removed to be tested for metastasis is fading - thank goodness!
Best of all, more and more of us are becoming breast cancer survivors.? In fact, the National Cancer Institute says that there are about 2.5 million of us living 5 or more years after being diagnosed with breast cancer.? In addition, we survive longer than previous generations did.
So how did I celebrate?? Just by doing normal things - went to church, made lunch at home, did some yardwork, and played with our little dogs.? All of these things are nice, everyday occupations - and I am so happy to still be around to enjoy them!? I had my 85-year old father and my wonderful husband to spend the day with, and then had internet time with my sister.? Such moments I no longer take for granted.? I am not grateful that I had breast cancer - so that's not what I celebrate.? It is survival and endurance I enjoy, and that's what I am thankful for today.
How do you celebrate a cancerversary?
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