Cancerversary

Three years ago today, I was at the UConn Health Center in Farmington for my last chemotherapy treatment. It wasn't an easy one. For the first time, my nurses had trouble accessing my port. They ended up flipping me upside down in my treatment chair in order to access it (there is a method to the madness, it really helps - blood flows toward the port when you are upside down).

As much as I would like to pretend cancer is part of the past, it really isn't, and never will be. Although I'm not celebrating the three year point, I do think its important to recognize the day.

I used to believe that 5 years was the magic number - after five years you can stop going in for post-treatment check ups. I couldn't wait until I was five years post-cancer and "put it all behind me." The more I learn about cancer and survivorship, the more I believe there is no magic number. The same goes for life, and you really don't need cancer to teach you that. I really don't recommend getting cancer in the first place anyway.

The point is to take each day and make the best of it. Sometimes that is easier said than done, it has been for me lately! However, I keep reminding myself that there are ups and downs, and I've come a long way.

Three years ago today, I was upside down in the chemotherapy infusion room. Today, I went for a really windy trail ride around the farm on John. I'll take the windy trail ride any day!

Comments

  1. Yay for 3years, I hope you have many more.

    ReplyDelete
  2. I bet it is a bit scary looking back at times, and wondering. Wishing you continued great health.

    ReplyDelete

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