I am blessed. Today marks my 5 year survivorship with breast cancer!
Two years prior to my mothers passing, God helped me find forgiveness for her seemingly unforgivable behavior while I was growing up which allowed me to be with her during her final months. Near the end, she began calling out to her father, who had passed away 45 years earlier. I am convinced my grandfather was in the room with us waiting to take my mother home. She passed away within a few hours.
Just three weeks later, my test results were in; bilateral invasive ductal carcinoma. I was thrown into a world where I had to make life altering decisions while trying to understand terms, concepts and doctor's titles that, up to that point, I knew almost nothing about. Witnessing the interaction between my mother and grandfather took the fear of dying out of the equation. After the initial shock, I was able to put 100% of my energy into research and preparation for what seemed like an endless cycle of surgery and recovery. The cancer was cut out of my body via a bilateral mastectomy. Biopsies showed that I had cancer behind the cancer we didn't know about, but they got it all. My lymph nodes were clean as well. I didn't need traditional chemotherapy or radiation - only daily medication for 5 years.
After all this, yes, I consider myself blessed. There were many important life lessons along the way. God put the right circumstances and the right people - family, friends and medical professionals - in front of me every step of the way. I am thankful my heart and mind were open enough to listen.
Raleigh, NC
