Midlife necessities

Midlife necessities
Midlife necessities

Wednesday, September 2, 2015

Happy Anniversary

One year ago today I had surgery to remove the cancer in my breast and lymph nodes. A lot has happened since that surgery, and I remember it all. I also remember the support I had from wonderful people - family, friends, and my medical team. I am now a cancer survivor, a designation that has placed me in a group I never thought I'd be a member of but am actually grateful to have joined. 


From now on I will proudly walk with the survivors.

As time goes on, I am feeling stronger and no longer need my afternoon nap. I've had to have several haircuts because my curly hair is growing in like crazy! Color, too. My eyebrows and lashes have filled in, fallen out (with help from the eyelash curler) and returned. The chemo brain has diminished but is not entirely gone (or it could be the menopause). My skin has changed. In late July I got a rash and having never had anything similar, I went to urgent care only to be told it was hives with an unknown origin. I self-diagnosed it to be an itchy heat rash, and therefore cannot wait for summer to be over. The rash itself is gone but I notice a tingly sensation when I am in the sun, heat or humidity and then I get itchy. I hope the sensitivity is temporary because I want to be outside.

So awkward to smile at yourself.

I have so much to look forward to! Trips and holidays and weddings, traditions as well as new experiences with treasured people. Not quite sure what the next steps are for me and that's ok. Today I am thankfully celebrating the anniversary of my gift of LIFE.

"Let me live that I may praise you." Psalm 119:175