Two years ago when I first heard those four devastating words "You have breast cancer" I thought my life was over and I would never laugh or smile again.
Like lots of women I had a very tough and traumatic treatment time with lots of tears and dark days.
I have heard people say that you don't really appreciate your life or start really living until you have been faced with a near death experience. Well, that is certainly true in my case. But to actually find that that your life could be better after being diagnosed with cancer, well I couldn't quite understand how that worked. Surely getting cancer was a bad thing, right?
I have found to my amazement that this is not the case. After being given a second chance at life, I have discovered all the joys of life again. It is though I am seeing everything for the first time through the eyes of a child, with eyes wide open in wonder and amazement. I have found out where my true priorities lie. I don't hold my feelings in anymore; I am more honest with what I say. I tell my family and friends how much they mean to me. I don't hold grudges; life is just too short to be upset or angry with things that don't live up to your expectations.
I don't sweat the small stuff anymore. My motto is don't worry about things that may never happen, and don't stress about what you can't change. You know it takes time but you do learn to laugh again, enjoy life, and have fun and smile again. That is the best thing, to be able to smile again. Even though I can't have children now because of my treatments I know how lucky I am to still be here and I have the joy of looking forward to watching my two year old nephew grow up. Sometimes in life things happen for a reason, whether they are good or bad things. It is how you deal with them that is so important. Enjoy all that nature can share with you. Life is good. Make the most of every day.
--Jacqui
