"I have thought I would die in surgery and then admittedly taken time for granted as well at times..."
God I felt that. Another year. More time. Then feeling guilty about taking it all for granted and that small thing I shouldn't have gotten mad about.
I won't say happy cancerversary. I'll say a la that episode of the Office, "It is your cancerversary." Glad you're here and putting the hard things out into the universe. I don't know why, but I feel like actually putting down the words helps. To share them is just brave.
Hi Joe - Thanks for sharing insights and perspectives from your cancer experience. Later this month, I'm going to celebrate the second anniversary of my successful surgery for advanced colorectal cancer. Like you, I had a softball-sized tumor that a biopsy showed was malignant. My medical team says I am cancer-free, and my quarterly checkups and CEA tests indicate no recurrence yet. I'm hoping to beat the five-year survival rates for patients my age (81) who were diagnosed with advanced colorectal cancer. One day at a time, right? Best regards, and hang in there.
I just had my cancerversary too It’s not happy just weird. Sending energy to you. I remember my first ER. Visit. During Covid. So no one could come with me and the Dr pulled the curtains around me and told me I had a large mass and it looked like ovarian cancer. And then being released and driving home alone. It seems like yesterday
I didn't celebrate the first two I think because I was in treatment or scared or whatever. Hopefully if not celebrating you can at least find some peace on that day.
The day I was diagnosed, I remember there was a painting of a sailboat in my hematologist's office. I stopped hearing his words and imagined myself on that boat riding the wind. Everything changed that day. I haven't looked at life or death the same way since. I'm 2 years post stem cell transplant for a rare type of cancer, and I still find it hard to believe I'm still alive. Thanks for sharing your story. It feels good to hear I'm not alone.
"I have thought I would die in surgery and then admittedly taken time for granted as well at times..."
God I felt that. Another year. More time. Then feeling guilty about taking it all for granted and that small thing I shouldn't have gotten mad about.
I won't say happy cancerversary. I'll say a la that episode of the Office, "It is your cancerversary." Glad you're here and putting the hard things out into the universe. I don't know why, but I feel like actually putting down the words helps. To share them is just brave.
Thank you. I actually pictured that Office episode a few times writing it lol.
Hi Joe - Thanks for sharing insights and perspectives from your cancer experience. Later this month, I'm going to celebrate the second anniversary of my successful surgery for advanced colorectal cancer. Like you, I had a softball-sized tumor that a biopsy showed was malignant. My medical team says I am cancer-free, and my quarterly checkups and CEA tests indicate no recurrence yet. I'm hoping to beat the five-year survival rates for patients my age (81) who were diagnosed with advanced colorectal cancer. One day at a time, right? Best regards, and hang in there.
Well an early congrats to you too. I know even if you're told you're cancer free you never really feel it. Here's to all of us beating the odds.
I just had my cancerversary too It’s not happy just weird. Sending energy to you. I remember my first ER. Visit. During Covid. So no one could come with me and the Dr pulled the curtains around me and told me I had a large mass and it looked like ovarian cancer. And then being released and driving home alone. It seems like yesterday
It is weird and scary and triggering. And covid definitely made an isolating experience even more isolating.
Thank you for sharing. My one year anniversary since diagnosis is coming up later this month. Lots of emotions.
I didn't celebrate the first two I think because I was in treatment or scared or whatever. Hopefully if not celebrating you can at least find some peace on that day.
This was a powerful one, Joe, it brought up lots of feelings that helped me (continue to) process the last year and a half
... 'the cracks in my hourglass' is a vivid image.
Thanks for continuing to share it all so honestly.
I appreciate it Barry. Thank you.
The day I was diagnosed, I remember there was a painting of a sailboat in my hematologist's office. I stopped hearing his words and imagined myself on that boat riding the wind. Everything changed that day. I haven't looked at life or death the same way since. I'm 2 years post stem cell transplant for a rare type of cancer, and I still find it hard to believe I'm still alive. Thanks for sharing your story. It feels good to hear I'm not alone.
Thank you Karen. It's isolating and scary and never really leaves us sadly.
Dear Joe, Beautifully written. You expressed everything so well. Thank you for sharing. You remain in my prayers always.
Anna thank you so much for your support always and for your generosity. I appreciate your kindness so much.