I've officially been a breast cancer survivor for almost a month now. What a blessing, a relief, and a feeling of overcoming! I can't pinpoint the exact moment, but sometime between finishing that last chemo and receiving the all-clear diagnosis, I started to feel more like myself. I truly believe that I'll be forever changed in someways, but it feels great to be able to shed that breast cancer skin. Maybe it had to do with feeling like I was holding my breath and just trying to keep it all together until I was finally done. Maybe it had to do with finishing all the reconstruction and finally getting the tattoos that sealed the deal. Maybe it was just allowing myself to feel like I could be "normal" again. Whatever the reasons, I'm glad to be back. I never fully left, I guess, but having to live everyday in battle-mode, fighting the pain, the sickness, the disease, and the fear of the unknown takes its toll.
To celebrate, my sister threw me an amazing B.T.H.O. cancer party. I'm still working on getting all the pictures together, but here's a little sneak peak.
On of my favorite quotes surrounding this battle was a mini-theme for the party: "She is the perfect combination of princess and warrior."
Princess
Warrior
I'm quite certain breast cancer will not be my life's only battle to fight, for there is much more for me to learn. I hope to remember to face future "Goliaths" with the same warrior/princess attitude.
One last thought for today.
The week after my cancer-free day, we ate some Chinese food, and this was my fortune:
Happier days are definitely ahead!
