Breast Cancer Survivor

After uterine surgery in March, and a hysterectomy in April, I was diagnosed with breast cancer in May. I immediately had surgery and then spent most of the summer having radiation. A lot of people have commented on my attitude regarding my breast cancer. Here is my take: count your blessings and look for the silver linings.

Silver Lining #1: God is in control. If I fall over tomorrow, I know where I am going. Now I admit, after surgery and a summer full of radiation treatments, if I get hit by a truck on my last day I might get a little ticked.

SL #2: We caught it early and this isn’t going to kill me.

SL#3: I don’t have to do chemo. I won’t lose my hair or spend the summer vomiting up my insides.

SL#4: I didn’t have to have a mastectomy. But I had already decided that if I did, so what? I had 55 good years with the girls, so Sayonara! My husband would love me anyhow. And an extra SL: I wouldn’t sag-I was already turning into a 38 Long. Have you heard about the old lady with furniture disease? Her chest fell into her drawers.

SL#5: I didn’t get any radiation burns or the horrible fatigue which was possible. The thing with radiation is that the area becomes reddened like a bad sunburn. Then it fades and turns a bit brown. So even though I spent a large portion of my summer at the hospital, part of me has a great suntan.

SL#6: I found out how much my family really loves me. My husband is always incredibly loving. My brother overseas is too. And while I know that my grown sons love me, they aren’t ones to show it much. Cancer in their Mom scared them-they had a wake-up call.

SL#7: I found out just how many friends I have. People around the world have been praying for me, sending cards, and calling with encouragement and offers of help.

SL#8: Through my red nose and clowning God has made it possible for me to touch the hearts of some people who are hurting and also some who could just use a smile. And because of it I have made some wonderful new friends. They have touched my heart. I am still able to get up in the mornings, get out of bed, love my husband, take care of Mom, run the Fibromyalgia support group, run The Red Nose Institute, go to clown meetings and part of a clown convention, take care of anything that my brother and sister-in-law overseas might need mail-wise, go shopping, and whatever else comes up. I admit I have slacked off on cooking which I hate anyway (remember my husband loves me). I counted and I have seen 11 different doctors since spring. As of 8/13/10, I am a cancer survivor.