Monday, December 28, 2020

The big 4-0

I'm not sure anyone comes around here anymore. And, in fairness, why would you? I almost never post anymore. I still probably talk and think about my cancer often, but it doesn't consume my brain like it once did. So I often forget I even have a blog, and then when I do remember, I can't think of much to write about.

However, 9.5 years ago, when I was told I had breast cancer I so clearly remembering wondering if I would live to see 40. At that point, all we knew was that I had cancer. We didn't know stage, or how aggressive it was, but I did know that my age was working against me in this scenario. Younger women tend to be diagnosed with later stage, more aggressive cancers, which I knew from my time working at the Canadian Cancer Society. 

Sitting in that doctor's office, my husband holding my hand, half way around the world from all my family and friends, I felt the walls close in around me and the air leave my lungs, all while that number hung in my head. 40. It seemed a long way off. Maybe too far off. 

But I've made it. I'm thankful. I'm still healthy and still in remission. So if you've stumbled on this blog, newly diagnosed and looking for hope, I'm here to offer some. There are no guarantees, in life or with cancer, but I have always found comfort in the stories of others.