5 years ago, on this day, I put my life in the hands of my supremely skilled surgeon, Dr. Muldoon. Seriously, I put my life in his hands; in writing on paper and in the operating room. I had micro managed and controlled every nuance I could, the date of surgery, the choice of my surgeon, my anesthesiologist, my nurse, but I had no way to manage/control what happened during my 6-7 hour surgery. I surrounded myself with the positivity of family and friends and the faith that everything would be fine. After my surgery, I was cancer free.
I find myself with some strange emotions today. I am incredibly grateful to the team of doctors that have passed through my life, truly, without each of them and their care, I might not be here. My support system, my Rob, my Mom and Dad, my Ellie and Nick, my Jo and Ole; I never would have hit this 5 year mark without each of them. Friends who stopped in to share laughs, tears, and time with me. Friends and family who brought food, wine, and chocolate. Friends and family who whisked my children away to have fun.
I remember Dr. Muldoon and Dr. Marsh telling me that treatment would represent a year in my life; they were correct, active treatment was just about a year. Luckily, it represents just a mere day or two a year now. Last night was curriculum night at school, I realized as I sat in the 3rd grade classroom, how 5 years ago, was a sort of ‘lost in time’ year for me. I was physically present but mentally I had tunnel vision and a goal. The 5 year cancer free mark is incredible, it puts me on the ‘other’ side of the statistics. It is a mark that I know too many friends never got to see. It is definitely a time to celebrate.
I am hopeful that with the super organizations/agencies, the endless amount of money being raised, and the brilliant scientists in the world, one day cancer will not exist. Until that day, I will continue to volunteer time as a mentor, to tell my story and become friends with dozens of beautiful people who share cancer with me, and to live my life one day at a time.
I have learned to live in each day. Cancer or not, no one is promised tomorrow. I have learned life is precious, I surround myself with family and friends who are happy. I have learned to tell my story. It is a positive one in a sea of negativity that cancer can represent. I have learned if life gives you lemons…find some vodka and infuse them!
I wish I could send this to everyone I know because posting to Facebook only shares this with a small amount of the family and friends who have loved and supported me through my journey. You helped create the bubble around me, your collective positive thoughts and love, very much helped me get to this 5 year mark today…thank you.
Visualizing my healthy and continually healing body and the new normal, Tree
