It’s hard to believe it has been seven months since I was diagnosed with breast cancer.  No one can ever prepare you for when you hear those words: utter shock, fear, disbelief.  I had no idea what lied ahead for me, but I am beyond grateful that as of Wednesday 12/3/19 I finished my last radiation treatment.  After all the long days after surgery, chemotherapy, and radiation, I can look back today and know I have braved each day with strength, courage, and determination to never give up.  And after 220 hard fought days I can say “I KICKED CANCERS ASS!”

It will take 3-6 months for my skin to heal after radiation before I can have my final breast reconstruction surgery.  Overall, my skin tolerated the radiation well.  It appears sunburned and I have some peeling, but it could have been so much worse.  Other good news, my hair is growing back!  However, I have struggled with going out in public without a hat or head wrap.  It’s hard to accept this new “pixie” cut as my new look for a while.  I was reminded by a good friend yesterday to take it at my own pace, but that I could also use the end of radiation as a turning point to getting my life back from the everyday appointments and treatments.  So my plan is to embrace the short haired look and leap ahead into life, ditching the head wrap that symbolized cancer and its control over me.

I want to thank each and every person who has supported my family and I throughout this journey.  I can boldly say that without all of your love, generosity, support, and prayers this road would have been a much more difficult one.  When days seemed long and dark, I could always count on someone to put a smile on my face or just simply remind me that this too shall pass.  Through all of this I am reminded of how fragile life can be; don’t waste a day sweating the small stuff. 

I am going to leave my last caring bridge post with a quote that popped up on my Facebook memories that I posted in 2012.  These words could not be truer today, and are words I will always live by.  Thank you again, and much love to you all. 

“Life moves on, whether we act as cowards or heroes.  Everything we shut our eyes to, everything we run away from, everything we deny, denigrate, or despise, serves to defeat us in the end.  What seems nasty, painful, or evil, can become a source of beauty, joy, and strength, if faced with an open mind.  Every moment is a golden one for him who has the vision to recognize it as such” ~Henry Miller