Thursday, February 10, 2011

Happy (Really Happy) Anniversary

I am a ONE year SURVIVOR!
February 3, 2010 was the date of my last radiation treatment and the begining of being a survivor. I am looking forward to a bright future.  It has been a long journey that isn't completely over, but I have come out the other side stronger than I went in. Funny how God uses our dark times to allow us to see our great need for Him.

Let me re-cap for anniversary sake:

March 16, 2009 - Biospsy and diagnoses of breast cancer, stage 1 non-aggressive.  Radiation and 5 year drug therapy were suggested therapies.
May 21, 2009 - surgery to remove tumor and 3 lymph nodes. Discovered cancer in one of the lymph nodes. Chemotherapy now added to the therapies.
June 19, 2009 - PET scan
June 24, 2009 - MUGA scan
July 1, 2009 - began 4 months, 6 cycles of chemotherapy of Adriamycin, Taxotere and Cytoxin.
July 9, 2009 - got my port implanted
October 13, 2009- finished chemotherapy treatments!!
December 21, 2009 - began 31 daily radiation treatments.
February 3, 2010 - last radiation treatment!!
February 25, 2010 - Port removal!!
June 2, 2010 - 1st PET scan and 1st mammogram since surgery
December 17, 2010 - 2nd PET scan

Almost 2 years have passed since I was diagnosed with breast cancer and as you can see, they have been event packed. I continue to follow up with my oncologist every 4 months and for now PET scans every 6 months as well as daily drug therapy for another 4 years.

This journey was not of my choosing but I am grateful for the lessons I've learned, friends I've met, relationships strengthened and most of all growing closer to God. Had I not been forced down this path I would have missed out on some massive blessings.

Happy Anniversary to me!

5 comments:

  1. Happy Survivor on your 1 year.

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  2. Happy Anniversary to you my Survivor Friend. Love you and very glad you're still here!

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  3. Wow....What are you going to do the celebrate? -Diane Pines

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  4. Happy anniversary my dearest friend! So good to hear you are doing much better! I don't know what I would do without you!
    Love, me

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  5. Congratulations and Happy Anniversary!!! That has to be so exciting! What a journey. Thank you for being so faithful and dependent on God through it all! What a testimony to myself and others of true joy! You can be joyful through the dark times, because Christ is there and leading you through. This has been a topic in sunday school recently and it is so evident in your life. I hope everything else is going well with you and the family. Take care and God bless!

    Happy Valentine's day too!!

    Zanna

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