This has been the hardest year I’ve ever had personally. Both my mom and an aunt had breast cancer surgery in the beginning of the year. I was with mom through her surgery-her second time with breast cancer-and recovery. My sister was with her through the radiation.
Then this summer it got me. I’ve had 2 surgeries and chemo therapy and am about half way through what needs to be done to me. My first chemo treatment coincided with my grandmother’s memorial which I’m sure, made it a little more difficult. Not only having to miss it, but not having any family members around me. I’m hoping the rest of whatever treatment lies ahead for me is easier.
It is truly amazing how much pain the human body can endure but when does the mind and spirit change from it all? Cancer has taken away my boobs, my hair, my body shape, my short term memory at times, my ability to be totally independent, my piece of mind and my dignity. In return it’s given me a partly fake body, from the wig to the implant(s), a low tolerance for bacterial infections, a poor body image, and a whole lot of pain. For this trade off I get to call myself a Cancer Survivor. I don’t think we get to claim that title from conquering cancer, I think we get to hold it from everything that happens to us after the diagnosis. The diagnosis was easy. The treatment is the part we need to survive.
Unfortunately the last half of this year has been all about me. The first half of next year will be too. I’m not enjoying the attention at all. So many people have helped me through this, some in little ways, some in big, when it’s all said and done and I have my life back it will be payback time.