{Celebrating 2 Years as a Cancer Survivor}

October 21st, 2017 marks two full years since I called the Goppert Breast Center in Kansas City to inquire about my biopsy results and received my breast cancer diagnosis.  It was an unbelievable day followed by a very long 14 months of appointments, procedures, surgeries and treatment.  I'm thankful every day for the gift of exactly that- a new day.  Life goes on but not without the backdrop of being a survivor.  For me, it's a backdrop that allows for good perspective and a lot of gratitude.  I don't really worry at this point about recurrence because it feels best to assume (and is statistically most likely) that I will never have cancer again.  I used to be more of a worrier but have let much of that go because, as they say, it robs me of today's joy.

I continue to passionately promote 3D mammography for women in their early 30's and annually thereafter.  There is just no good reason not to screen for a cancer that 1 out of every 8 women will get in their lifetime when survival can be so close to 100% with early detection.  So many women I know, even friends of friends, got their first mammograms in the months after my diagnosis.  It was such a brave decision they made and I hope that every fall or winter they will continue to track down a facility with a 3D machine and be diligent in screening for this very common, very treatable cancer.

I feel great these days and have a lot of energy!  So far, I've kept my hair short and love it.  It's just so easy to deal with when it's barely there!  The impact of surgical menopause at 36 is not entirely benign so I continue to deal with hot flashes and I'm trying to find a good balance of supplements to support my overall health. The menopausal metabolism is no joke so I find myself fighting weight gain but I'm working with a new doctor on that and will hopefully have things under control soon or at least a good plan to move me in that direction.

We will celebrate as a family with a night away from home to just enjoy being together without anything competing for our attention.  Cancer and all, I fully recognize what a sweet middle spot in life Joe and I occupy right now.  We enjoy the daily company of our kids still at home without having to worry about them out on the roads driving or off in another city attending college.  We're both healthy and fit; able to do all the things our hearts desire and excited and optimistic about our future and the future for our children.  It's just a really happy time and I'm so, so thankful for it.