Currently, my rockstar oncologist surveils me every six months. It's the battery of lab tests, clinical exam, recheck of symptoms and current medications. I take a drug called Tamoxifen every day and have for the past 4 years. It prevents recurrence by 10% and if I take five more years, it drops the likelihood even further. The side effects suck and if I miss even a day, I get withdrawal symptoms. Fun fun. Good news is, it's a reminder to actually take it, and I am convinced that it is the difference between living ten more years and living twenty. I had a friend, a very tough, hardcore, amazing friend who had breast cancer. She decided against the Tamoxifen and died of complications of recurrence ten years later. I am grateful to have this news because I would have denied to take it, but knowing that it could be a factor in longevity, I'm shooting for at least 20 more years with my kids, and my husband. More on him can be found HERE. 

 

...and my friends. I was overwhelmed by how many amazing friends dropped their busy lives to drive me to chemo, visit, bring food, pick up my kids, check in on my husband, and care for our family. There are golden people in this world with hearts so big their little bodies just don't seem sufficient to carry them. I've lost touch with some as I've embarked on reconnecting with old friends and making new ones. I would name them all here if I could but that would take pages and pages. Suffice it to say that my Coloma posse, my nursing tribe, my Park City posse, my U.S. Skiing community, my rockstar grrrlfriends and the UCSF crew got me through what seemed to be an impossible journey. There is no way to express that gratitude other than to live the very best way I can giving to others, raising good kids and loving everyone in my path. I'm doing my best. 

 

On August 16th, 2016, I will celebrate the five year anniversary of my diagnosis. At the time, my five-year survival rate was 49%. I had a 50/50 shot at living 5 years, and I'm almost there. I see life through very different eyes now. Each day is precious. Each friendship, each person, each opportunity is a gift. My husband and my kids are my world, my friends are gold, and I don't waste a single moment. If I screw up, I try to make it right because I never want to leave this world with bad feelings about anyone or anything. This year I will celebrate my 50th birthday and I can't wait. I have worked hard to make it to fifty and I will rejoice every candle on my cake (and any hawt firemen that want to keep the scene safe...). Both cancer and cancer treatment have taken years off of my life. I am not disillusioned to think that I will see the likes of my 80th birthday or my 70th and 60 is really just a strong maybe at this point so 50 is the year to celebrate and I have big plans. I hope you will join me somewhere on that timeline. 

 

For more updates on my cancer survivorship, you can check in at my cancer blog: The Damaged Diva 

 

If you are a newly diagnosed breast cancer patient, a breast cancer survivor or need to talk to someone about a friend, please leave me a message. I am happy to share any information that might be helpful.