Remission

Yep, I’m in remission. It’s over.

Of course, there is always the chance it’ll come back but there is also a chance that many things ‘may’ happen, so why dwell on it? Why spend my days worrying about what might happen? No more.

Today, and the days coming, I am smiling and happy.

Many people don’t like words like ‘Journey’ or ‘Battle’ when it comes to cancer but for me, I love these words because I took the journey and as far as I am concerned, I won the battle.

Yeah, it was hard work, not only for me but for all around me. Without the support of my amazing Sam, friends and family and of course, you guys, the readers, it would have been a harder fight than it was.

401 days between hearing the words “You have Breast Cancer” and “You are In Remission”

In only 401 days I had a full left side mastectomy, 9 lymph nodes removed, drains, wounds, chemotherapy for 6 months, 33 days of radiation therapy, 1 year of herceptin, suspect lump which proved clear, copious amounts of pain killers, anti nausea medication, hemorrhoids, constipation, hours and hours of sleep, nausea, low energy, steroids, complete hair loss, lethargy, headaches, bone pain, loss of appetite.

In 401 days I found out just how loved I am by Sam, my amazing and generous family and friends, I also found out how to fight, how strong I am, how stubborn I am, how important some people are to me and how unimportant some things are. I found out that nurses are incredible human beings and deserve so much more than they have. Not only do they do their jobs so efficiently but they know when to hold your hand, when there is a concern or worry and when to just listen. There is no difference in their manner weather they are wrapping you in a warm blanket or injecting a poison that everyone knows is going to make you ill. They smile through their incredibly long shifts and do not allow any bad feelings to show. I am sure nurses have bad days but with my experience, I can’t tell you when I have noticed bad attitudes or dismissive manners. These wonderful men and women made the 401 days survivable, comforting and sometimes even enjoyable. I have laughed and cried with these people. I had no idea how amazing nurses were before this.

Now for something interesting – my hair has come back a little curly/wavy but also, NO GREY HAIRS! I didn’t have any before but everyone, and I mean, EVERYONE, said it would probably come back completely grey. They Were Wrong!! (How much does it look like I have two boobs in this photo?)

Where to from here?

Well, I only have three more sessions of Herceptin in the oncology ward to endure, 10 years on tamoxifen but I have my life. I have my health. I have a new outlook on life.

I took so much for granted before and just expected to grow old simply. Anything can happen and it did.

Now, as I rest my broken ankle (thanks to chemo for weakening my bones! and I’ll tell you that story shortly) I am looking forward to returning to work again…. (I went back in February and then off again with said broken ankle on May 3rd), continue to plan our wedding and enjoying my new life. Save our pennies and finally, one day in the future, finish our back garden landscaping, have my shelving unit built into the formal living room and finish the laundry installation.

There isn’t a lot for else for me to say on this subject today except to say I am happy and, as a man at work said recently

“I am a good news story’.