Independence Day

Happy 4th of July everyone!

I have been kind of quiet lately as I completed all my most recent tests, scans, colonoscopy, GI series, you name it I have had it lately. So far everything is clear. I see my oncologist on Monday, but she has been calling me all along as each test was done and results were in and letting me know things were looking good, so I am not expecting any surprises and am feeling very hopeful and positive. It has been just a few weeks shy of 4 years since my original diagnosis of stage 3 colon cancer, followed by 2 major surgeries, 2 minor surgeries and 14 months of chemo. (8 months the first time and 6 months after a small recurrence 22 months ago). 

If I look at the last 4 years in cancer terms, it sound so horrible. Surgeries, treatments, tests, more surgeries, treatments test, but if I look at it from a different view, I see I was fortunate to be able to retire at 57 from a career I loved with a wonderful professional reputation, I continue to train and develop professionals on a part time basis through a leadership and professional development program I developed, I have traveled extensively, had the opportunity to sit in the audience and hear my daughter sing opera in Europe,  completed a couple really awesome home DIY projects, and had an opportunity to just enjoy life as the blessing it is. Yeah there was that cancer thing going on in and around all this amazing stuff, but there was still a lot of amazing life happening. 

Today as we celebrate America's Independence, I also celebrate that one year ago today they disconnected me from my chemo pump. 6 months of grueling chemo (Those very green Kermit days) were over. It truly is Independence Day in more ways than one!

My next adventure will be planning my 60th birthday coming up in September, being someplace in the world that is fabulous to celebrate being 60. 4 years ago I was not sure I would ever see it. I plan to celebrate this amazing birthday and embrace the possibility of getting old. Today, I have hope.

One more thing to share, you may have seen this already, but this article about cancer reatated PTSD is nice to see. I was diagnosed with it and have been seeing a counselor for it over the last year.  It was gratifying to see my counselor and I have been doing all the right things to help manage it. I am improving, but it isn't a quick fix and takes a lot of time. One step forward two steps back at times. It is good to see that this part of cancer is finally coming out of the dark and being addressed. It is not something to be ashamed of. It is very real and needs treatment as much as the actual disease. 

http://health.usnews.com/health-news/patient-advice/articles/2015/06/26/the-emotional-aftermath-of-cancer 

Blessings everyone....Where there is life there is hope....

MAlice