Saturday, December 29, 2012

4 years out!

I am now over four years out from my breast cancer diagnosis.  I am back to 99.5% of what I was prior.  My hair is not the glory that it was, and will never be so again.  I have enlarged my use of baseball caps, which I always loved...because my weak spot seems to be right where I part my hair in the front.  So the hat keeps me from seeing it all the time.  I don't wear hats to church, obviously and am able to make my hair tolerable on those days.  But I figure, it's a problem with my vanity.  I am delighted to have a pony tail again.

I have no lingering health issues, in fact, feel like I am very healthy now.  I do take a multitude of supplements every day, but am rarely sick...and this, even while driving a school bus every day! I did go through menopause due to chemo and tamoxifen, whichever one did the trick--instant menopause!  Yea!  Which keeps me from being freezing every single night through the winter, so I guess it is an acceptable trade.

I hope this is an encouragement to anyone facing or going through breast cancer.  I believe having a specific goal (in my case, I wanted to be mucking my own stalls by Thanksgiving), has crucial in getting me beyond a diagnosis.  I did not spend much time on BC bulletin boards or websites, once I saw all the wallowing and pitiable stories.  It was not for me.

I am thankful that I went through all this.  It made me a better person.  It gave me an amazing story of God's providence and protection and it helped me learn more about my health and my responsibility for it.  I have several friends who made different choices with their situations, and I am definitely satisfied with what I decided.

I don't participate in any pink ribbon things, and I don't really want to.  I don't believe there will be a cure any time soon.  Cancer is too big of a money maker.   I hope I don't have to ever face it again. 

One thing I really need to improve on, is to cut back on sugar.  I have almost eliminated drinking pop completely.  But I still put sugar in tea and coffee, and I LOVE life saver gummies.  :)

Happy 4 years to me!  I am sooooo thankful to be raising my children, and living the life I longed to keep.  Thank you, Lord.