My birthday too!

On October 4, 2004 (five years ago today) I was celebrating my 27th birthday with a colonoscopy. I knew that having that colonoscopy was more important than one birthday. I knew I needed to sacrifice one birthday to find out what was wrong with me. And I did... I found out the next day that I had colon cancer. I hit the ground (quite literally) crying out that I couldn't have cancer... I had a baby to take care of (my daughter was 15 months old)... as if cancer cared. I found out a few days later, after my surger on 10/8 that it had spread to the immediate lymph node making me stage III.

I am so humbled that I have been allowed five more years. Five good years. My baby is now six years old and in first grade. I am closer than ever to my in-laws (who were great support during my cancer treatments). And I have not had any further cancer activity. I am, however, way over due for my CT scan and blood work and due for a colonoscopy. Of all ironies, I am meeting with a new oncologist tomorrow (five years to the day after being diagnosed) and suspect I will have all my next (and maybe final?) tests scheduled. I have been so afraid to think that I might have actually beat this thing. I am so terrified of these tests now that the five year mark has actually arrived. I am so emotional. I am worried that the final joke will be that these tests will show something this close to my 5 year mark. I know it's probably irrational, but sometimes I can't help but think it. Cancer is so ugly.

It's been quite an adventure!

Thanks for being here.

Patricia