Photo courtesy of bing images
- Since October 4, 2001 I have been a survivor of breast cancer. I was 36 years old with no family history of cancer and out of nowhere, it snuck up on me during a crucial time in my life. I’ll be the first to admit that I use to cruise through life feeling invincible, but I think cancer lies dormant while it waits for its opportunity to strike. Sometimes it’s in a hurry. Sometimes it’s patient, but when it strikes, it throws you for a loop.
When cancer assaulted me eleven years ago, I was the mother of a 2-year-old baby boy, I was in a downward spiraling relationship, and I was struggling to make ends meet. Getting the news that I had breast cancer knocked the air out of me, completely. There was nothing easy about going through the treatments and going to work as many days as I could. The bottom line was that I was still the mother of a toddler, and my relationship was still falling apart. I felt like I was on display, and it seemed like the people in my life would pause just long enough to see what I was going to do next. This was, by far, the loneliest time of my life. My life was out of my control and I had to learn how to let go and let God.
If there was any good that came from that time in my life, it would be what I learned about myself and what I learned about the people in my life. By the end of my treatments I felt that getting through what I had just gone through meant that I could get through almost anything. So, I changed the way I handle stress, I set the relationship free, and I focused on taking care of my son.
Fast forward eleven years, and I am still a survivor! I am thankful for each and every day that I am given. I no longer feel invincible, I feel blessed!
Research is vital to finding cures, and I don’t think it matters which cancer organization you support, as long as you help researchers get the funds they need to search for a cure. There are so many cancers in the world, but breast cancer hits closest to home for me and I have honed my focus on this one.
Every year, I pass out Breast Cancer Awareness stickers because I want people to be “aware”. I speak freely about my encounter with breast cancer because I found the lump and went straight to the doctor. The doctors told me it was nothing to worry about, but the grace of God and my persistence made me go back to the doctor’s office, and I think that saved my life. My goal is to get people thinking and talking. I want to send out gentle reminders to help people remember to check themselves, get screened, and don’t be afraid to be persistent.
Peace & Blessings —{-@
SweetPoet65's Memoirs 