18 Years! Damn, sometimes it seems like just yesterday and other times it seems like a lifetime ago.
I just recently watched a video that I must have watched 100 times during my battle. It’s the Livestrong Foundation manifesto posted in this entry. The words of that manifesto still hang on my refrigerator today. Those words and that video hit me to my core back then and still made me teary eyed today when I watched it.
March 8, 2007, my D-day. A day that would be the start of an 18 month cancer crapness journey. Looking back can sometimes be scary and yet other times I’m super proud of myself for how I handled things AND YES, I kicked cancer’s ass.
I’m so grateful to be here today, to have my health and especially have the opportunity to watch my 3 Beautiful Niece’s grow up. I try so hard to have a positive outlook on life and enjoy every second whether it be with family, friends or by myself on my bike enjoying Mother Nature.
People ask me why I cycle and push myself so hard and I always say because it makes me happy but deep down I also know I do it to show my body that I’m in control now. I feel like my body failed me once but not again, no ma’am, I’m in control now.
Sure there are still times when things scare me and I’m not sure I will ever feel completely out of the woods per say. Any time I have a health scare I always stop and wonder if the BIG C is back and I think any cancer survivor will tell you that. The last words of the Livestrong manifesto says, “Cancer may leave your body, but it never leaves your life.” Those are super powerful words!
I do want to thank my family and friends who were there for me back then. My BFF, Danielle who had my back especially on my bad days, coming over and playing skippo as we watched our NY Yankee games. She got me out on my good days too and I still chuckle at the time she told off a lady at Walmart for staring at me and my bald head. My new cancer friends who I met along the way, two of whom I still keep in touch with today, Shari and my Cancer Angel Cathy, I truly treasure our friendships because you two just “get it”. My Auntie Judy who is no longer with us but was huge in my journey, for going to all my Dr appointments and taking notes while my scared mind wondered. My Dad who patiently sat in many waiting rooms for me and especially the long waits while I was getting my chemo and then eventually having to move in with me for a short period of time to help me and help with my dog because I was just so weak. To my new friends that I’ve met post cancer that continue to support me. And to my new BF, Sean who loves me for me with all my scars and most of all, ALL my craziness! I love you all!!!!!
