As of today, it's been 4 years that I've been a breast cancer survivor. Being a survivor is a journey that doesn't really end, so here goes this year's chapter of where I am & how I'm feeling. My post today is from my heart because while the surgeries and treatments lasted about 9 months, the emotional part of having cancer will always be with me ~ which is one other reason for this post.
Yesterday I was browsing my blog and read my entry from
last year on December 7th. While I was sitting here at the computer pondering/reflecting on the past 4 years, I have been trying to determine if I've made any progress, emotionally, since last year. I have to say, I think I have, even if just a little bit. For example, I don't think about cancer every day like I did before, I don't think every ache or pain is cancer coming back & I'm not afraid every single day. Now does that mean I have total peace about it ~ HECK NO! I still fear the unknown (maybe just not as often), I still cringe when I hear that someone had breast cancer return, and I can't stand the thought that someone died from a long battle with cancer. For me it's a day to day ~ step by step journey & today, I'm in a pretty good place. BUT ~ I never let myself completely forget or get too comfortable with my recovery.
As I reflect, I think about ~
* my husband ~ I was glued to his side for several months after my diagnosis and he constantly made me laugh;
* my kids ~ how well they came through this whole thing considering how young they were at the time (8 & 5 yrs);
* my amazing friends Michelle and Paula ~ who I still thank God for daily because they were there for me that horrible day;
* my Shistahs who picked me up on a daily basis;
* my neighbors, family and friends who constantly called, brought meals or took the kids for me; and,
* last, but certainly not least, my church family and my faith in God. I always knew He would get me through the situation and teach me something along the way.
There just aren't enough ways to say thank you to the people who cared in such big ways ~ I'm still overwhelmed and amazed when I think about it. So this entry ~ my words and this book, are just my small way of saying thank you to everyone who got me through the the worst days.
Now I know all my Shistahs are not in these next two pictures ~ but know that I love you all, pictured or not!
And a final note of thanks to Pastor Tim at River Oaks for your challenge yesterday to take time to ponder ~ it was so timely!
If you've made it this far ~ I appreciate it & for letting me share.
For the insert on the inside of the card, I used Photoshop Elements for the photos and sentiment & had them printed on a 4 x 8 photocard at an online printer called VistaPrint. The nice part about using photos like this is that we all didn't have to be perfect in the same picture.
And here are a few of my stacks during the assembly process. Thankfully, since the inside was all on one piece, everything went together pretty fast.
