Monday morning musings....

CypressCynthia
CypressCynthia Member Posts: 4,014 Member
in Breast Cancer #1

Reflecting today on how much I have to be thankful for: a wonderful husband, dear friends and family, my garden, my faith, my breast cancer support group.... I am also thankful for being what is called an outlier. A cancer outlier is someone who lives longer with the disease than is expected. I was diagnosed almost 27 years ago with Stage 3 breast cancer. I have been Stage 4 for 8 years. The fight is more difficult these days, but I am not giving up. Being an outlier is a mixed blessing though--I have lost so many, many friends to this disease. Attitude, I believe, has nothing to do with it (studies have demonstrated a positive attitude is not correlated with survival) and I have known too many women with amazing attitudes who have succumbed to buy that myth. Being educated and compliant may help, but mostly, I believe, I have just been blessed with having a more responsive type of cancer. I miss my dear friends who have lost their battle to the beast, but I am grateful for having had them in my life. They have all taught me so much: positivity, grace under fire, humor and how to die with incredible dignity and courage.

Comments

  • fauxma
    fauxma Member Posts: 3,577 Member
    #2
    Beautiful post.  I think that

    Beautiful post.  I think that the thing that a positive attitude does do during our cancer journey and you are a great example is to help us cope with our cancer and all that comes with it.  It doesn't change our outcome just our outlook.   Look at the sisters we have lost recently, they all had positive attitudes and gave of themselves to other and yet they still lost the fight.  But what they did do is make the most of their lives and they lived every moment.  Not without worry but with courage.  And as you said the lessons they taught us through every aspect of this disease were awe inspiring.  I too am so grateful for all that I have and all of them are the same as yours.  Well, different hubby, family etc. but you get the point.   Although I am not a outlier I have had several cancers (uterine, bladder, breast skin. and a precancerous colon polyp).  Yet with all that, I have been blessed that they have been caught early and treatment has been doable.  I wonder too, why I am so fourtunate to have had a relatively easy ride why others have not.  I am compliant and diligent but many others are also and they have had far worse prognosis.  I think that you are right, some of our cancers just seem to respond to treatment.  There is so much that is beyond our control but we do what we can to fight, face this head on, lean on those who love us, pass on as much wisdom as we can, and like you and others before you lead by example.  You inspire me.  You share you knowledge, you give sound advice and you truly care for everyone on this board.  I hope and pray you stay a outier for a long, long time.  

    You are cherished dear Cypress Cynthia.  

    Stef

     

  • Holli
    Holli Member Posts: 5
    #3
    I am a long-term survivor as well

    I got breast cancer back for the fourth time this summer and after a round of a research project (that was AWFUL) I am beginning to feel that I will live through all of this. Scary but life goes on and I am blessed with a wonderful family and friends. Sometimes I feel like I should quit working and just enjoy whatever I have but then again, that's like throwing up my hands and saying, I give in! So I move onwards with hope. Thanks for your helpful share.

     

  • Holli
    Holli Member Posts: 5
    #4
    I am a long-term survivor as well

    I got breast cancer back for the fourth time this summer and after a round of a research project (that was AWFUL) I am beginning to feel that I will live through all of this. Scary but life goes on and I am blessed with a wonderful family and friends. Sometimes I feel like I should quit working and just enjoy whatever I have but then again, that's like throwing up my hands and saying, I give in! So I move onwards with hope. Thanks for your helpful share.

     

  • SIROD
    SIROD Member Posts: 2,194 Member
    #5
    Great Post

    Great Post, CC.  I feel the same way, I am here because my cancer was not aggressive and responded well to my treatments.  

    Best to you,

    Doris

  • rutzetta
    rutzetta Member Posts: 174
    #6
    Amen

    To your meaniful post. We have learned so much from you as we'll, our friend. May your grace under fire continue to shine to the rest of us.

    Constance

  • hope67
    hope67 Member Posts: 181
    #7
    CC, I like your post

    Thanks for it and for you positivity. We should more often reflect what we should be thankful for. Thanks for reminding me.

    Carmen

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