One Year Ago
One year ago today I received the news that I had cancer. Little did I know how that would change my life, and the lessons I would learn.
I learned that I can endure torturous pain and still keep a sense of humor.
I learned the feeling and utter frustration of being completely out of control over something. Cancer consumed and invaded so many aspects of my life.
I learned that longtime fear of dying became very real.
I learned that the one "best friend" who always said she would be there for me through thick and thin (as I did for her) could abandon and hurt me in a blink of an eye after I told her the news -- and to this day I still don't understand how or why -- and I'm okay with that.
I learned who my real, true friends are.
I learned that no matter how old I get, I am still my mother's child. I hurt so much for her as I told her what I wanted in "the end" should I not survive this. When I became seriously ill during my treatment, I cried out for my Mom -- and without hesitation, she dropped everything and was there for me.
I learned that my husband, even before we were officially married, really means it when he vowed "in sickness and in health". And three weeks after I completed treatment, I saw how he looked at me as we spoke our wedding promises and became husband and wife. I learned that this wonderful, amazing, strong man --with every fiber of his being--, deeply and truly is in love with me.
Cancer changed my life. While I never ever wanted (or want to again) go through what I did, it made me a better person both physically, mentally, emotionally and spiritually. It was not, and still is not, easy. I have years of exams and tests ahead of me to be sure that the cancer hasn't returned. I keep a positive outlook and believe I am cured as cured can be.
One year ago today I had cancer. Today, I am cancer free!