I am doing fine. It's been 11 years since I was in cancer treatment. I had been seeing my oncologist every six months, strictly because I was too nervous to switch to every year as he suggested 6 years ago. I am so blessed to have a doctor who understands and will work with me like that! This year, when he said "see you in six months" I said "I think I'm ready to do yearly". He laughed, gave me a big hug and told me he was proud of me. And that I can call or come in any time I feel the need. It was a great moment for me mentally. Mostly I don't think about cancer at all. Every morning when I put on my bra, and have to make sure the prosthesis is straight, is somewhat of a reminder - but it's just become "normal" so I don't really even think about it at all!
Of course it's always there in the back of my mind. I have arthritis in my hip and knees, and it usually doesn't bother me at all but sometimes there is pain ranging from mild to briefly extreme. Any time I have a pain anywhere I admit to a bit of panic. Doctor has told me what to look out for and when to call, and so far I have only felt the need to call once. All was well.
We are currently in the middle of Pinktober. This month still pisses me off, but I just can't spend any energy on it. It does seem a little more laid back now, or maybe I am not paying attention. They did turn the fountain pink at the cancer center, but I don't remember hearing that they had the "celebration". They probably did, but I have friends now who had breast cancer who love all that stuff, reveling in the attention of being a "survivor". As much as I have the right to hate it, they certainly have the equal right to love it. Really my main complaint is that it's not done for other cancers. Whatever.
I still share my opinion on stupid pink crap, Susan G Komen and the lack of research. I share movies like "Pink Ribbons Inc" and have made a lot of people aware. So maybe "Stupid Pink Crap Awareness Month" has become somewhat of a thing.
I still won't enter the Cancer Center during October. With everything lit up pink including the fountain, I remember too vividly the faces in the cancer room of those who weren't "lucky enough" to have the pink cancer and be "celebrated" ever. It was embarrassing then, and that hasn't changed. I need a new mastectomy bra and prosthesis, but it will wait another week until the pink is gone.
Anyway - I've been living my life! I finally woke up to all the years I wasted not giving a shit about my health. Yes - even after having cancer, having watched my parents both die of cancer, I still did not take any action whatsoever to protect my own heath. Sad!! But I can't beat myself up about it. I can only make changes going forward, and that I definitely am doing now. I've been practicing intermittent fasting, which is said to have numerous health benefits, since about April of 2021. A side benefit is I have lost 45 pounds! I wish it would be more, and faster, but my overall goal is HEALTH not weight loss in itself. It took me 40 years to gain all this weight so I can't expect quick results to be sustainable. Plus, I have learned a LOT about what years of yo-yo dieting do to one's body. I have a lot to make up for. I've been working out - swimming, cycling and walking - I'm currently on track to complete 2022 miles in 2022 (and probably a couple of weeks early!). I joined Yes.fit, a virtual race company. Initially I did it to get a cool medal, but I quickly found that it's the logging of miles that inspires me! So I joined the VIP program and the races are now free unless I want a medal or other reward. I highly recommend this program and if you are interested, joining using this code - Y1Cu82Zr will get us both a $5 discount. I did a Sand Dune hiking challenge on Lake Michigan this summer. It was hard, but I did it, and without super straining myself! We have neither hills nor sand where I live to I had to prepare the best I could. I am really enjoying how I'm feeling these days, and have no intention of ever dropping the intermittent fasting lifestyle. It is something sustainable that I can do for the rest of my life. It is NOT a diet - I eat what I want, just within a certain window of the day. I highly recommend it. If you are interested in finding out more, check out author Gin Stephens . I started with Delay, Don't Deny.
My husband and I became empty nesters in 2020 when the last of our 6 kids went to college. We're enjoying visiting them at school for football games (they're in the band!), visiting our older kids when we can, and just travel in general. We plan to buy a camper soon and start taking frequent short outings and eventually travelling the country once we either retire or both have remote jobs (he already does). I already have a lot of trips planned that are just waiting for an opportunity to take them!
The bottom line is Life is Good! None of knows how much of it we have left, but we can control how we spend it. My plan is to "Live a Great Story" for as long as the Lord allows!
For anyone who has read this far - God bless you! I always pray for anyone who happens on my blog as I happened on many when I was feverishly looking for information in the early days of my diagnosis. I don't post here anymore because it's just not my life anymore, but I do try to update once in awhile because it scared me when blogs just cut off and disappeared. I liked reading success stories and I now feel like I am one - not because I am still here, but because I am living a life beyond cancer. Much love to all!!
