My Journey Through CANCER-Land!

Yes it has been one year since the onset of my cancer diagnosis. I went for my annual mammogram last December 17, 2009 at 7 p.m. That same night I received a personal phone call from the radiologist by 9 p.m. He very nicely informed me that they just happened to have an opening for a biopsy the very next day at 12 noon. So on Dec. 18th My daughter Arielle brought me to that appt. We sat in the office listening to "Have a Holly Jolly Christmas", as we waited for my adventure to begin.
It was then that we realized, they don't make non-CHEERY Holiday tunes specifically for these occasions. The next day we headed to Boston for a 2nd and 3rd opinion and more invasive procedures. By Dec. 22nd, I heard the official news, " Yes Theresa there is and agressive Breast Cancer --Third Stage Her 2 Positive in your left breast!" Well, at least it was POSITIVE. They say if you have a positive outlook, things are easier to handle. For who??? The people around you I assume. No one wants to see a gloomy cancer patient, especially around Christmas time.

Recently one of my forever friends sent me an e-mail that informed me I had been through "The Perfect Storm" this past year. I'm not sure how perfect it was. However, I am sure that with the help of my husband, family (including my dog Rocky) and dear friends I was able to find "THE Happiness in the Storm".

With Mama Bear determination, I made myself a promise to do whatever I had to do as a patient to increase my chances of surviving for my children and my precious grandchildren.

I now finally feel like a survivor! Before this time, I always felt more like a cancer patient. With just two more Chemo appts. left and a final surgery on Jan. 27th, it's much easier to not allow cancer to be the central focus of my days.

The only therapy I've ever enjoyed is SPA therapy. However, in this past year I've withstood, Chemo-therapy, radiation therapy, hormone therapy, surgery and more. Having to rid your body of this deadly disease is like killing an ant with a hammer on a glass window. Except you're the ant and your body is the glass window.

Some of you have asked how I've made it through this year still standing. I think it was a combination of acceptance, feistiness, faith, peacefulness, finding my joy and hopefulness that helped me along the way. A tempered optimism toward finding my new normal and balance in my life.

Lessons Learned:

The human spirit is stronger than any challenge. Family, Friends, Faith and Flexibility are what you need to sustain you. As well, your husbands well timed jokes that only the two of you appreciate to help you get through the faCT THAT YOU are about to lose a part of your body or getting you through burning your body and more.
In the meantime, YOU have to be your own BEST FRIEND and then you not only can STAND UP to CANCER, you can get through your own personal storm. You may not be able to change the direction that the wind is blowing, but you can always change the direction of your sail. (THe sail of your own stormy seas)!

Luckily, no storm last forever. Sound knowledge and geniune hope have helped guide my way through this storm called Cancer and my love of life and my precious grandbabies have lead me to happiness despite this storm. After the rain stops and the winds die down, I hope to ease into my safe harbor and use the lessons learned to enrich my life and others today, tomorrow and every single day ahead of me.

There is always HOPE, and we all have a right to be hopeful!

Wishing you all Happy, Healthy, Hopeful Holidays!

CEO (Theresa, Tree..) of the (Vic-TREE) Victory Team Victoriously signing off........