Anniversary

Today marks exactly seven years since my initial diagnosis. This is an anniversary that I never miss, but never really celebrate. Sometimes I think I should go all out with a big celebration, but somehow ‘celebrating’ the day of your cancer diagnosis doesn’t seem quite right. I thought I would make a big deal about my 5th year, but that was the year I was fighting a recurrence and somehow it didn’t seem appropriate then either. And, unlike a wedding anniversary, it isn’t something most people remember. But I do.

So, this year I celebrated the anniversary as I have all the others. I spent time thinking about and praying for those who have also battled this disease. I thought of the ones who have spoken to me about their own battle and those who have talked about the battle of a loved one. I thought about those who have been diagnosed in the last seven years and those who have fought, but lost, their battle.

To be honest, I wonder how life would have been if I hadn’t heard those words seven years ago. As much as I hate it, I really can’t imagine my life without it. But most of all, I spent today feeling really lucky and extremely blessed that I am here.