Posted by Celbird on 08 Oct 2010, 09:15PM
Well 31st Of October (halloween) is approaching fast, and it's become a very special day for me each year! It's the day I was diagnosed with breast cancer in 2008. Last halloween, my first anniversary since that day my life changed forever, I had a big party, mainly for my daughter and her friends for halloween, but also quietly celebrating the fact that I was alive and well 12 months on!
This year, on my second year anniversary, I plan to celebrate again...the fact that i am alive and life is good!
While the journey has been rough, terrifying at times and exhausting too, it has also been filled with many positives for me believe it or not (NEVER thought I'd say that!!!)!
So roll on halloween...can't wait to celebrate yet again!
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congrates
Hi Celeste, well done, it truly is one day at a time until you blink and it's one year at a time. My daughter is born halloween (my little witch, haha) she is 17 yrs old this year but I remember her 13th as I was bald i fitted right into her scary theme,lol, but I think of the positive side and know that several of the mums picking up their kids went for health checks that year, so if our journey makes others more aware then just goes to show that some good can come from something so bad. Party on, will be thinking of you on the 31st, good health...Kaz
Uncle Fester revisited!
Thanks Kaz for your response! I couldn't help but chuckle at your comments about fitting in so well at halloween...I had visions of an Uncle Fester look-alike partying on at the 13th birthday party! xx :-)
Yay!
Two years and I bet sometimes it only feels like yesterday! I hope you have a wonderful celebration :) Keep happy and well,
Louise x
Thanx
Hi Louise, thank you for your response and well wishes! Yes, sometimes it does only feel like yesterday but thankfully time has rolled on relatively smoothly for me since then! Yes, looking forward to the halloween celebration for sure! I wonder if I can post any photos on here?!! lol! Celeste x
congratulations
Hi Celeste,Congratulations on your 2nd year and here's to many more Haloweens, you go girl, you have a theme day to celebrate, so dress up and show them all. ENJOY!!!!!!!!
Thanks for the well wishes
Hi Moira, yes am looking forward to celebrating my 2 year mark....aren't you a 2 year survivor also? How have you found it? Will certainly enjoy halloween...might even make myself a witch costume and dance in the streets with the local trick-or-treaters! lol! Celeste x
well done!!!
Hi celeste, doesn't time fly when you are having fun? hope you have a great party,
regards
kathy
Thanks so much
Thanks Kathy for your well wishes! Yes, hope to have a lovely time and to celebrate just being alive! Celeste x
Thank you!
Wow, thank you all for your very positive and encouraging words! I kinda threw that blog out there, not really expecting a response, and what a lovely surprise it was to have someone who understands actually respond! When I went through my treatment last year, this network wasn't available, and I really wish it was, because I felt incredibly lonely riding the rollercoaster that is breast cancer treatment! Even now, I still wish I could share some of what I've been through with women who understand...and even share my ongoing journey with others too, because although time heals in wonderful ways, breast cancer will always be "with" me (if that makes any sense...?) Anyway, it's lovely to feel supported almost 2 years down the track (better late than never!) I just wish I could give you all a big group hug, that's all! (I'm smiling but teary, lol!)
I did go to a support group once, but strangely enough, I didn't connect with anyone there, which is unusual for me. The ladies in the group were much older than me, appeared to already know eachother really well, and they were at a different stage in their life and had different treatment to me (I don't think any of them had chemo). After that, I decided to write down all my experiences and feelings in a journal (because I couldn't find anyone to 'connect' with), which was great, but not as wonderful as having a 2-way 'conversation' about it all via this network!
So thanks once again ladies for your well wishes! I now feel part of an exclusive club, even if it's 2 years down the track! I do like to write (as you can see!) so will no doubt be a regular blogger from now on!
So bring on halloween this year!!...I've decided to buy myself a nice piece of bling (I love jewelry) to mark my 2 year anniversary! xxx
In desperate need of a profile photo!
Just realised it's about time I dig out a decent photo for my profile pic! Have avoided putting one on cos I look so different now after chemo! Oh well, I'll have a good look around and see what i can find! x
Hi Celeste
I was asked recently by a lady who had surgery last year - what status am I? I found this really hard to obtain from doctors, specialists etc. but from support groups and others we are termed "Survivors" Aparently there has been much debate about what name to use but I love Survivors. I am a survivor of 4 years. I was diagnosed, appropiately in October - Breast Cancer Awareness Month and each year I make sure that I celebrate living. I set myself a 5 year plan and each year my husband and I do something or go somewhere different. (just about ready to set another plan in place)The first anniversary of my diagnosis was celebrated with our beautiful family wedding. I figured that the previous year I had thought of all the lovely family and friends attending my funeral celebrations and how I would miss out. So the logical thing to do was to enjoy them all at our wedding.!!!!!(that's my weird way of thinking) but anyway I got to enjoy them all in our celebration. So each year I also have my wedding anniversary to celebrate. October sure is a busy month for this household. My aim is to continue setting plans/goals and achieving as much as I can. People who aren't in our "Club" really can't comprehend that we live with "it" on a daily basis. The word here is LIVE. Good luck with your celebration - sound like real fun!XLeonie
Sharing in the festivities!
Hi Leonie, I didn't realise I was classified as "survivor" yet, but I agree thats a great term! Sounds like you also have wonderful celebrations in the month of October....and how exciting to celebrate a wedding anniversary combined with celebrating being a "survivor"!!....I don't think it gets much better than that! And yes you are right, we do live with "it" on a daily basis...I think the challenge for me these days is living well without constant fear of 'it" reoccurring. So far I've managed to do that well I think. I like the fact that you have a plan each year to do something or go somewhere different. I think as 'survivors' we don't take for granted the fact that we are here, alive and well, and plans are important. I have only just started to make plans again (I did have many plans before BC but they all went out the window for one reason for another) and it feels good to have something to look forward to and work towards again.
Anyway, have fun this month! I hope you enjoy yourself! Celeste x