7 years, but...

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jdubious
jdubious Member Posts: 113
in Breast Cancer #1
Hello!
Last Saturday was my seven year "cancer-versary!" and I'm greatful and happy to be here -

BUT I have also been sort of depressed ever since. I was feeling normal right up until the actual day, when I recieved tons of congratulations and well wishes from my friends (I'm still getting those! I love my friends!) but not a peep from a single family member.

It hurts my feelings and brings back all those unanswerable questions I've had as a survivor - like, why am I here when others aren't?

I'm also feeling super-sensative about the kindnesses people are sharing with me... my boyfriend described a back rub he would give me and I almost burst into tears because it was so touching and beautiful. Ugh! That's not like me!

I'm hoping these feelings pass as quickly as they came on, and I'm so glad I have a place to share! (actually, I already feel just a little better sharing it...)

jilly

Comments

  • skipper54
    skipper54 Member Posts: 936 Member
    #2
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    Congratulations!
    I think it must be an aniversary thing. My emotions have been pretty close to the surface too and I just "celebrated" 1 year since diagnosis. Hopefully you'll perk back up again and remember to dance and enjoy. Family probably isn't sure how to react because they remember what all you've been through. Friends just celebrate - they're coming from a different place.
  • jdubious
    jdubious Member Posts: 113
    #3
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    skipper54 said:

    Congratulations!
    I think it must be an aniversary thing. My emotions have been pretty close to the surface too and I just "celebrated" 1 year since diagnosis. Hopefully you'll perk back up again and remember to dance and enjoy. Family probably isn't sure how to react because they remember what all you've been through. Friends just celebrate - they're coming from a different place.

    Thanks, Skipper!
    Congratulations on your first year! How wonderful!
    You know, I haven't been dancing... so I think I will slap on the old belly-dancing scarf when I get home and shake it a little - can't hurt!
    It's good to know that others feel sensative about these milestones too... my family has always avoided the talking about the "cancer situation" so I'm not surprised by the silence, but still disappointed.
  • missrenee
    missrenee Member Posts: 2,136 Member
    #4
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    jdubious said:

    Thanks, Skipper!
    Congratulations on your first year! How wonderful!
    You know, I haven't been dancing... so I think I will slap on the old belly-dancing scarf when I get home and shake it a little - can't hurt!
    It's good to know that others feel sensative about these milestones too... my family has always avoided the talking about the "cancer situation" so I'm not surprised by the silence, but still disappointed.

    Congrats to you!
    Seven years is a huge milestone. I know how hard it is when people don't react as you would like. Sometimes they say nothing, sometimes they just say the wrong thing. You never know--but I always like to think they're doing the best they can and my dear friends and family always love me and care about me. (Of course, on my ugly days, I want to smack the hell out of 'em!)

    Hugs and Joy to you, Renee
  • grams2jc
    grams2jc Member Posts: 756
    #5
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    Congrats!
    I would think that it would be celebrating with mixed emotions...great to have gotten so far but wish that the count had never started.

    I was just diagnosed in November so haven't reached any big milestones yet, except treatment ones, but I can see where it will be very emotional.

    Congrats and I hope you find more joy, and have many more anniversaries,

    Jennifer
  • survivorbc09
    survivorbc09 Member Posts: 4,374 Member
    #6
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    jdubious said:

    Thanks, Skipper!
    Congratulations on your first year! How wonderful!
    You know, I haven't been dancing... so I think I will slap on the old belly-dancing scarf when I get home and shake it a little - can't hurt!
    It's good to know that others feel sensative about these milestones too... my family has always avoided the talking about the "cancer situation" so I'm not surprised by the silence, but still disappointed.

    Congrats on the 7 years! I
    Congrats on the 7 years! I can't wait to get there. I think having bc and going thru all that we do puts our emotions right at our fingertips. We cry at the a drop of a hat, flare up if someone just looks at us wrong, and, feel down for sometimes no reason.

    Don't be hard on yourself. Allow yourself to feel emotions, good or bad.

    And, if I may suggest, if you feel your family isn't supportive, let them know. Either by mail, email, or by telling them.


    Hugs, Jan
  • New Flower
    New Flower Member Posts: 4,294
    #7
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    grams2jc said:

    Congrats!
    I would think that it would be celebrating with mixed emotions...great to have gotten so far but wish that the count had never started.

    I was just diagnosed in November so haven't reached any big milestones yet, except treatment ones, but I can see where it will be very emotional.

    Congrats and I hope you find more joy, and have many more anniversaries,

    Jennifer

    Congratulations!!!
    Congratulations!
    Thank you for sharing your survivorship anniversary with us!
    New Flower
  • susie09
    susie09 Member Posts: 2,930
    #8
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    jdubious said:

    Thanks, Skipper!
    Congratulations on your first year! How wonderful!
    You know, I haven't been dancing... so I think I will slap on the old belly-dancing scarf when I get home and shake it a little - can't hurt!
    It's good to know that others feel sensative about these milestones too... my family has always avoided the talking about the "cancer situation" so I'm not surprised by the silence, but still disappointed.

    7 years is fabulous!
    7 years is fabulous! Congrats! So, you put that belly dancing scarf on and you celebrate as 7 years is something to smile and dance for!


    ♠♣ Love, Susie ♠♣
  • Marcia527
    Marcia527 Member Posts: 2,729
    #9
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    Congratulations! I was
    Congratulations! I was diagnosed in Aug. 2003. Actually I don't celebrate cancerversaries. Most of the time they just slip by. Some people celebrate and some people don't. But if you want to celebrate we are all for dancing with you. !!
  • aysemari
    aysemari Member Posts: 1,596 Member
    #10
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    CONGRATS - Celebrate your life
    I must be odd ball out

    I don't count my years and anniversaries come and go unbeknownst
    to me. I simply can't put enough time between then and now, so I
    press on and look forward to the next dream I want to realize, the
    next newbie I can reach out to, the next MRI I will pass with flying
    colors. We all KNOW life is too short, we have been close to the edge.
    And it changed everything for us.

    Hugs,
    Ayse
  • DebbyM
    DebbyM Member Posts: 3,289 Member
    #11
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    New Flower said:

    Congratulations!!!
    Congratulations!
    Thank you for sharing your survivorship anniversary with us!
    New Flower

    Congrats on your
    Congrats on your cancerversary!

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