October 15, 2003

Kanort
Kanort Member Posts: 1,272 Member
edited March 2014 in Colorectal Cancer #1
Five years ago today, cancer was removed from my body, and after chemo therapy and a few bumps in the road, I remain cancer free. I have changed, grown, and am, hopefully, a better, kinder, and more compassionate friend and person because of my experience.

Five years is a milestone in the world of cancer, but it has never been a destination. I want to celebrate surviving – not being a “survivor.” This will always be a continuing, never ending journey. You all know that. Stages, markers. treatment, remission, cure???..... all are a part of the terminology that defines each of our lives. Emotional highs and lows characterize each day.... joy and sadness. Yet each night we are grateful for surviving another day.

I thought long and hard on how to best celebrate my wellness. A party??? No, then it would be all about me, and it is now no longer about me. It is now about you...those of you who are in the ring fighting like I did so long ago...those of you advocating for a loved one... those of you who have lost someone dear to you and still come here to check on us and lend someone in need a kind word of comfort or support. The past five years may have been difficult, but by being a part of this extended family, I have found purpose and meaning in dealing with a disease that has taken far too many of our friends. The healing bags I create are an expression of hope and caring that I try to share with my friends. The concept started with one red heart a friend gave me while I was waiting on the gurney to be wheeled back to surgery. After my operation, I placed the heart into a bag and others added small inspirational keepsakes to it. My bag always accompanies me to each doctor’s visit and scan appointment. Each little token, each word, each angel has power, and combined they create a compelling symbol of hope.

I want to commemorate the five years of my journey by sending each of you a healing bag, (blessing bag, if you are the caretaker) created by me with love and in honest belief in its power. I want to celebrate my wellness by sharing this conviction with all of you. Since treatment plans and regimens have changed these last few years, I don’t have the experience or knowledge to add to some of your posts, but I can send you a tangible reminder of my hope and belief in the power of unity. Hopefully, the bag will let you know that I think of each of you and look forward to the day when you can share your five year anniversary with me.

If this happens to be something you would like, please send me your mailing address in a private email. I will spend the next few weeks mailing these out.

We are all surviving!

With love,

Kay
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Comments

  • krystiesq
    krystiesq Member Posts: 240 Member
    amazing
    What an inspiring post. Thank you for that and congratulations.
  • 2bhealed
    2bhealed Member Posts: 2,064 Member
    Healing Bags
    Hello dear sweet Kay!

    Congratulations on your awesome achievement of surviving these 5 years!! Your post is beautiful--a reflection of you. Truly. I am so happy for you. Where you given the "cure" word? It took me awhile to claim it as mine. (I still have problems with that sometimes).

    For all you newer Semi-colons, I have one of those bags Kay makes and it is wonderful. I love mine and keep it on my "special" table (dare I say altar?) to reflect on during meditation and prayer. You will be delighted, I assure you, when you get it.

    On a personal note: my CT scans from last week are all clear and my colonoscopy from Monday was too. YIPPEE! That makes it 7 (!!!) years cancer free!

    I hope you have many many more years of free and clear! Forever.


    peace, emily
  • KathiM
    KathiM Member Posts: 8,028 Member
    I have removed my clothes....
    YEA YEA YEA YEA YEA YEA YEA!!!!!

    Naked happy dance!!!!!!!

    HUGE hugs to you, my sweet Kay!!!!! 5 YEARS!!!!!!

    I keep your bag close, and my daughter does, as well.

    I'm dancing until the police come.....THIS naked body is an eyesore!!!! ROFL

    Hugs, Kathi
  • KathiM
    KathiM Member Posts: 8,028 Member
    2bhealed said:

    Healing Bags
    Hello dear sweet Kay!

    Congratulations on your awesome achievement of surviving these 5 years!! Your post is beautiful--a reflection of you. Truly. I am so happy for you. Where you given the "cure" word? It took me awhile to claim it as mine. (I still have problems with that sometimes).

    For all you newer Semi-colons, I have one of those bags Kay makes and it is wonderful. I love mine and keep it on my "special" table (dare I say altar?) to reflect on during meditation and prayer. You will be delighted, I assure you, when you get it.

    On a personal note: my CT scans from last week are all clear and my colonoscopy from Monday was too. YIPPEE! That makes it 7 (!!!) years cancer free!

    I hope you have many many more years of free and clear! Forever.


    peace, emily

    I'm dancing for you, too!!!!
    Emily.....WOW! 7 years!!!!

    I'm sitting almost at 4....

    Hugs, Kathi
  • ldot123
    ldot123 Member Posts: 272
    Beautiful
    What a lovely post. That gives inspiration to us all. I am about a year and a half out as NED. I still have my ups and downs in terms of how I actually feel but I have come to learn from this site that I am not the only one. I am having more better days than before so that is good. Congratulations on your milestone. Lance
  • sladich
    sladich Member Posts: 429 Member
    Thanks
    Kay,

    What a beautiful post. You are an inspiration. I can't wait to see you again in SF!

    Best,
    Debbie
  • chynabear
    chynabear Member Posts: 481 Member
    Wow!
    It is so good to read this news! Celebrate!

    *HUGS*

    tricia
  • tootsie1
    tootsie1 Member Posts: 5,044 Member
    Kay, you're such a
    Kay, you're such a sweetheart. I love your spirit! Thank you for your post, and I will certainly send you my addy for a bag. How lovely!

    *hugs*
    Gail
  • betina61
    betina61 Member Posts: 642 Member
    Congratulations Kay on this
    Congratulations Kay on this wonderful 5 years anniversary , your post is so inspirational I can tell that you are a very good person, this have been a gift to me because after the news about Jana I have been really sad. Thank you for sharing.
  • 2bhealed
    2bhealed Member Posts: 2,064 Member
    betina61 said:

    Congratulations Kay on this
    Congratulations Kay on this wonderful 5 years anniversary , your post is so inspirational I can tell that you are a very good person, this have been a gift to me because after the news about Jana I have been really sad. Thank you for sharing.

    Jana?
    Our Jana? Is something wrong?

    peace, emily
  • Betsydoglover
    Betsydoglover Member Posts: 1,248 Member
    October 15!
    Hi Kay - What a great post and I am so happy for you.

    You make me feel at peace. Great news - I have heard about your healing bags and they sound wonderful. Meanwhile, happy "anniversary".

    Betsy
  • crazylady
    crazylady Member Posts: 543 Member
    congratulations
    Hi Kay,
    Congratulations on being cancer free for 5 years! I have heard how special your healing bags are. What a wonderful and inspirationsl way to celebrate. Thank You!
    Jamie
  • CanadaSue
    CanadaSue Member Posts: 339 Member
    Great news
    Kay,

    This is the greatest news! celebrate, dance naked!

    From what I have read in here, you deserve it.

    An angel here on earth!

    Hugs
    Sue
  • jams67
    jams67 Member Posts: 925 Member
    congrats
    Five years! Wow! That is great Kay, and I know that you are here for a very good reason. Your message of looking forward helps all of us to cope with our "new normal" whatever it is and be grateful for just being alive. Be sure to do something for yourself too. You deserve to celebrate.
    Jo Ann
  • msccolon
    msccolon Member Posts: 1,917 Member
    5 years!
    Congratulations! I sent you an email, but my memory being what it is, i requested a red bag instead of a healing bag. I really am not particular about the color, I guess the red heart comment stuck in my brain. That's what I get for not making a note! As it was I finally had to add you as a friend to be able to remember the name i wanted to send email to! Anyhow, thank you so much for your ministry, it is an awesome way for you to reach out to other survivors! May God continue to bless you every day.
    Mary
  • taraHK
    taraHK Member Posts: 1,952 Member
    Congratulations!
    Congratulations! (Or, as my then-young son wrote to me in a card after my surgery, "good-gratulations!")

    I really enjoyed reading your reflections on reaching this amazing milestone. You expressed things so beautifully.

    Love, Tara
  • Glv49
    Glv49 Member Posts: 206 Member
    Kay,
    what an inspiration you

    Kay,
    what an inspiration you are to all of us! It was five years for me in July.. you are a wonderful person to make those healing bags.. how many people you must have given hope to. Sometimes we wonder why... and then we realize God never gives us more than we can handle.. and it is so true with your story..God bless you.

    Gail
  • HowardJ
    HowardJ Member Posts: 474
    Inspiring!
    Hi Kay,

    Very inspiring and kind of you to write.

    Thank you for putting it all back in perspective!

    Howard
  • Moesimo
    Moesimo Member Posts: 1,072 Member
    Congrats!!!!
    Kay,

    What a great post!!! Congrats on reaching such a milestone. My 5 year was in June.

    This site was such a godsend to me during treatment> I don't know how I would have handled everything without the people I met here.

    I love the idea of the bags, It is at a perfect time, I was saddened to hear about Jana. She was such a sweetheart.

    Go out and celebrate such an important day. You deserve it.

    Maureen
  • StacyGleaso
    StacyGleaso Member Posts: 1,233 Member
    Hmmm, what to say...
    Well, Kay,

    As you know I am very rarely at a loss for words. But I will try to piece together some that pertain to you and what a remarkable person you are. I did not know you before cancer. However, I really cannot believe that cancer was the reason for the wonderful person you are today. You are one of those people who generates energy and warmth wherever you travel. Your outlook on life and what it has to offer is amazing and more people should see things through your perspective. I have shared laughter and sorrow with you, both usually resulting in tears. You are a strong, giving, and selfless person. I am SO proud of your 5 year achievement and know that there will be many many more "5 yr milestones" to come.

    I am so happy for you on this joyous time in this journey. You deserve nothing but the best.

    Now....about this "Mary Merlot" persona I've heard about.....lol

    Kay, you are so loved by so many! Thank you for what you have brought to all of us--especially me!

    Hugs,

    Stacy