It has been 3 years today that I underwent a bilateral mastectomy to remove both my breasts that had cancer. Where has the time gone! I blogged about my journey (and what a journey it was) from start to finish and have not updated it in a long time. Where am I now? Healthwise, I am in great health. I continue to run and this past summer even entered my first triathlon (next year I am going to do two!) I just went for my 6 month check, got the green light go and will be back in another 6 months. While some scars have faded away, some remain, but my memory of what I went through is still very vivid in my mind. During that time I had reconnected with old friends, found out who my true friends were and made new friends thru the cancer world. I continue to hold these people near and dear to my heart and thank my lucky stars for my health, children and loved ones. There are many days I don't even think about cancer or that I even had cancer. It never defined me as a person and never will. It was a fork in the road, a life lesson and life altering for me. I am now single, work full time, have a daughter away at college, a son who is a junior in high school, two cats (one who is crazzzy!) and a cute little house that I love! My life is pretty ordinary! I run most days with a pink hat on and proudly say I am a survivor! In two weeks I will join thousands on the Milwaukee Lakefront as we run/walk for the Susan Komen Race for the Cure. No doubt I will shed a few tears as I run, knowing that I am a survivor, thinking of those who lost the battle and those who daily will get the news that they too will travel the cancer road. Three years ago, I was overwhelmed, scared, uncertain and felt like my life was in limbo. Today, I am healthy, live in the moment, have no regrets, don't look too far into the future and am in a great place in my life right now! I wouldn't change a thing!
Be strong and stay positive!
Love to all!
Gail
