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Today is my Cancerversary

Chickadee1955
Chickadee1955 CSN Member Posts: 356
in Breast Cancer #1
One year ago today I got the diagnosis. I can't even remember most of the year; its been such a whirlwind of fears, surgeries, emotions, tears, gratitude, more surgeries, endless doctor's visits, introduction to the wonderful world of pharmacology.

I'm glad to be alive and as far along in the journey as I am. New normal still sucks, but I'm getting a little closer to acceptance.

Thanks to all of you who have helped me get through this past year. Whether or not I 'posted' on any given topic, there were soooooo many that eased my mind over the past 12 months. Thanks for being here!

Chickadee
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Comments

  • TraciInLA
    TraciInLA CSN Member Posts: 1,994 Member
    #2
    Congratulations, Chickadee
    I was so much sadder than I expected on my 1-year cancerversary -- I planned a big party for myself, and fought back (not happy) tears through most of it.

    I guess, in the back of mind, I expected that everything would be "back to normal" within a year, and I too couldn't believe that "new normal" 1 year later sucked as much as it did.

    The women and men here are the only ones who I felt could truly understand how hard things still were, and I was comforted nowing that you all would be here for me no matter what. And we'll all be here for you, too, Chickadee, as you keep on keeping on this journey.

    Traci
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  • Bella Luna
    Bella Luna CSN Member Posts: 1,578 Member
    #3
    Chickadee... Congratulations
    Chickadee... Congratulations on your 1st Survivorship Anniversary! It's been an incredible journey for you. You got through the major obstacles that came in your path. One by one, you tackled them and moved on to the next. You are a fighter, no doubt. I can understand about adjusting to a "new normal". It's a different reality for Survivors. But just remember... you define what the "new normal" is in your life.
    BL
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  • sea60
    sea60 CSN Member Posts: 2,613
    #4
    Congrats!
    The 1st year is a crazy year but you're on the road to health and recovery!

    Hugs,

    Sylvia
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  • Chickadee1955
    Chickadee1955 CSN Member Posts: 356
    #5
    sea60 said:

    Congrats!
    The 1st year is a crazy year but you're on the road to health and recovery!

    Hugs,

    Sylvia

    Yeah Traci, I did kind of
    Yeah Traci, I did kind of have the thought that all would 'done' in a year. Maybe that's the way we cope. If we had to think about the fact that there's really no 'done' at the beginning, it would be overwhelming.

    Thanks to all for the congrats!
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  • Double Whammy
    Double Whammy CSN Member Posts: 2,832 Member
    #6
    Chickadee1955 said:

    Yeah Traci, I did kind of
    Yeah Traci, I did kind of have the thought that all would 'done' in a year. Maybe that's the way we cope. If we had to think about the fact that there's really no 'done' at the beginning, it would be overwhelming.

    Thanks to all for the congrats!

    Congratulations
    The year was quite an ordeal, wasn't it? And you're still not done with reconstruction, are you? I don't think we're ever "done", but it sure feels good to feel good again and have the really tough stuff behind us, doesn't it?

    Is the cancerversary the date of diagnosis? My cancerversaries are next month, but the whole nightmare for me began Feb. 17 with an abnormal Pap smear. Went downhill from there on.

    When do you officially become a survivor? Is that a different date than the cancerversary?

    Today is a milestone, and last year is over. Congratulations!

    Hope to see you Saturday.

    Suzanne
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  • Jean 0609
    Jean 0609 CSN Member Posts: 2,462
    #7
    Hey Chickadee,
    Here's to many, many more cancerversary. My one year us coming up too.

    xoxo,
    Jean
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  • VickiSam
    VickiSam CSN Member Posts: 9,079 Member
    #8
    Jean 0609 said:

    Hey Chickadee,
    Here's to many, many more cancerversary. My one year us coming up too.

    xoxo,
    Jean

    Chickadee .. A worldwind, nice way to describe
    your entire world turning upside down .. with just 4 words ' You have breast cancer'. Treatments, surgeries = endless appointments, makes for interesting conversations amongst fellow cancer WARRIORS, and survivors. I have met so many wonderful people along my journey, friendships I will forever cherish.

    Congratulations on your anniversary, and many ... more!


    Vicki Sam
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  • pinkflutterby
    pinkflutterby CSN Member Posts: 615 Member
    #9
    VickiSam said:

    Chickadee .. A worldwind, nice way to describe
    your entire world turning upside down .. with just 4 words ' You have breast cancer'. Treatments, surgeries = endless appointments, makes for interesting conversations amongst fellow cancer WARRIORS, and survivors. I have met so many wonderful people along my journey, friendships I will forever cherish.

    Congratulations on your anniversary, and many ... more!


    Vicki Sam

    We should of had a PARTY for
    We should of had a PARTY for US
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  • Mitzi333
    Mitzi333 CSN Member Posts: 511 Member
    #10
    pinkflutterby said:

    We should of had a PARTY for
    We should of had a PARTY for US

    Congratulations!!!
    On Your Cancerversary!!! I Love to hear of your victory. Wishing YOU many more. Time to Party... Hip Hip Horray!!!

    Hugs~
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  • shelbyhome
    shelbyhome CSN Member Posts: 145
    #11
    The one year mark is a great
    The one year mark is a great achievement and all the words that you said... I thought that the one year mark would be different too, it is great to be alive but I have a long road ahead of me and a real different life to get used to.
    What is normal these days?
    Family and friends don't understand me completly when I say "I just don't feel good today" it doesn't mean that I can pinpoint anything paticular just that I may feel funky.
    Ok enough of me going on and on,m I guess I just needed to vent that
    Hugs :) Robbin
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  • ladyg
    ladyg CSN Member Posts: 1,577
    #12
    Congratulations
    I am hoping that you will have many, many more years to celebrate and that each year gets better.

    Hugs,
    Georgia
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  • DianeBC
    DianeBC CSN Member Posts: 3,881 Member
    #13
    TraciInLA said:

    Congratulations, Chickadee
    I was so much sadder than I expected on my 1-year cancerversary -- I planned a big party for myself, and fought back (not happy) tears through most of it.

    I guess, in the back of mind, I expected that everything would be "back to normal" within a year, and I too couldn't believe that "new normal" 1 year later sucked as much as it did.

    The women and men here are the only ones who I felt could truly understand how hard things still were, and I was comforted nowing that you all would be here for me no matter what. And we'll all be here for you, too, Chickadee, as you keep on keeping on this journey.

    Traci

    Congrats Chickadee on your
    Congrats Chickadee on your cancerversary!


    Hugs, Diane
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  • disneyfan2008
    disneyfan2008 CSN Member Posts: 6,583 Member
    #14
    way to go...
    soon it will be 2nd and 3rd...

    april 3 will be my 3rd year anniversary since surgery....


    Happy for you...

    Denise
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  • JuJuBeez
    JuJuBeez CSN Member Posts: 332
    #15
    Congrats on your
    Congrats on your Cancerversary! I am coming up on my 1 yr too (3/29). It has been a whirlwind and a rollercoaster ride, for sure. I asked my husband to buy my fave cake to celebrate.
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  • Noel
    Noel CSN Member Posts: 3,095 Member
    #16
    sea60 said:

    Congrats!
    The 1st year is a crazy year but you're on the road to health and recovery!

    Hugs,

    Sylvia

    Happy Cancerversary!
    ♥
    Happy Cancerversary!

    ♥ Noel
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  • mwallace1325
    mwallace1325 CSN Member Posts: 806
    #17
    Happy Cancerversary!
    The first one just isn't what any of us expect, I think. I'm coming up on my second (April 22nd, day of my surgery) and that one looks to be much better.

    The new normal will get better and you'll feel more like yourself, or at least more accepting of the new you.

    marge
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  • Megan M
    Megan M CSN Member Posts: 3,000
    #18
    sea60 said:

    Congrats!
    The 1st year is a crazy year but you're on the road to health and recovery!

    Hugs,

    Sylvia

    Congrats on this great 1
    Congrats on this great 1 year celebration!
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  • beetle25
    beetle25 CSN Member Posts: 150 Member
    #19
    mwallace1325 said:

    Happy Cancerversary!
    The first one just isn't what any of us expect, I think. I'm coming up on my second (April 22nd, day of my surgery) and that one looks to be much better.

    The new normal will get better and you'll feel more like yourself, or at least more accepting of the new you.

    marge

    Congrats and Happy
    Congrats and Happy Cancerversary
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  • Chickadee1955
    Chickadee1955 CSN Member Posts: 356
    #20
    beetle25 said:

    Congrats and Happy
    Congrats and Happy Cancerversary

    Thank You All!
    Chickadee
    Thank You All!

    Chickadee (ah, heck, after this long and all we've been through together, you can call me Chick) :}

    Only after menopause can being called 'Chick' be considered a compliment....
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  • cahjah75
    cahjah75 CSN Member Posts: 2,631
    #21
    Chickadee
    A new normal is what we all have. My cancerversary isn't until mid May. I guess there is always those little thoughts in the back of our minds "what if". I'm greatful for my gyn who found the lump and for all the wonderful caring thoughts on this website. So glad you have reached this first milestone!
    {{hugs}} Char
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