[ Post a Response | Breast Cancer Success Stories ]
Posted by Penny S on 12/15/2006, 5:21 am, in reply to "Re: 8 years out" Angel, the recurrence showed up as calcifications on a mammogram. When the radiologist walked in with that news, it was like my heart plunged down into a deep hole filled with anguish. I'm so thankful that he was the kindest doc on Earth, broke it to me so gently and humanely. So I regrouped and just did what needed to be done, so I could get past the bc a second time and get on with my life. I have so much to live for, I refuse to let bc rule my life. I've been one of the fortunate ones who didn't experience lymphedema or serious side effects of tamoxifen. I'm extremely grateful for all of that, and I live my life in a spirit of gratitude for all the blessings I've been given. I don't take my health for granted---I eat extremely healthful food and do everything I can to maintain my health. Health----what a wonderful thing!! We don't understand how wonderful it is until we're without it. During my chemo in '98, I went house-hunting, bald head and all. I bought this house (in Wisconsin) and closed on it while doing rads. Since then, I've planted my half-acre with dozens of trees and shrubs, hundreds upon hundreds (thousands?) of flowers, and a prairie restoration. Every year I take my big rototiller out and work up my organic garden, and rake it all smooth, and plant every kind of veggie you've ever heard of, and some kinds most people never heard of. The strawberries ripen in early summer, and one year I picked 40 gallons! I cut my own grass with a walk-behind mower, and I hoe and rake leaves and lots of physical work all summer. I was a teacher, so I worked full time the rest of the year, until I retired in June. Since the first bc, I also got married to a wonderful guy who accepts me the way I am. We bought a tiny second home in the desert southwest. Every chance we get, we go out there to hike and camp in the wilderness. Believe me, I'm not a 'jock'----I'm tiny and was never very physical as a young person, always the wimpy skinny kid in gym. But now I find that the wilderness tests my spirit and endurance and challenges me to be fully alive. I've fallen in quicksand, seen fresh tracks of mountain lions and bobcats, sat out a fierce desert thunderstorm in a tiny tent, scrambled over rocks and down into canyons, tramped through mountain forests...There is so much world to explore, and I want to see it all! I'm working on my photography skills, and also taking up a new hobby. So, for those of you still going through the dark tunnel, keep your dreams alive, plan your futures, pack all the Life you can into your life! Life is SO GOOD. Get everything you can out of it!
70.92.236.58
Hi Angel and everyone here,
Thanks, you gals are so nice. So now you've got me started...I'll write a little more.
Message Thread:
« Back to thread