8 years!
I can still remember this time of year, 8 years ago when I received the phone call that would send me into an emotional and physical spiral.
I am posting today to share with many of you who are newly diagnosed, or early into your journey (yes I like that word) with this thing called metastatic cancer.
We think our world is over, that we are going to die soon. But that isn't the case. Many of us have a lot of life left to live.
It hasn't been easy. I have had many good things happen along the way and not so good things
- Quit a well paying job/good career, I miss it at times
- Went on several fantastic vacations
- Went on disability
- I had a hip replacement
- lost my hair 3 times (since the first time I was dx)
- went on a clinical trial
- I am no longer afraid of needles
- gained 30lbs
- turned 50!
- my boys were 7 and now they are 15 and just finishing their first year of HS, they are turning into such nice young men, they are even starting to drive!!
- I have probably drank thousands of glasses of red wine
- I lost a dear friend to home invasion/murder
- lost my father
- had to fight with SSD after my disability was cut off
- had to fight with insurance to cover treatment and scans
- I have enjoyed every sandwich
Overall? its has been a pretty good eight years.
Comments
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congrats!!! 8 years is amazing. Wishing you many many more years! Thank you for posting this I love to read stories like yours!
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Fitz,that's great! I love the highlighted part about your boys. I'm almost 5 years and the greatest thing EVER is that I still get to watch my kids grow into adults. Fist bump! 👊🏼
Stefanie
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Yay on 8!!! Toasting to many more pretty good years for you!
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Awesome that you are at 8 years. Hope you have many many more. I will help you celebrate with a glass of wine.
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I am with Kandy...will help you celebrate with a glass of wine! 8 years that is so amazing!!! You are an inspiration to so many!
Julie
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You are such an inspiration, YAY FOR YOU!!
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Congratulations!!!
And love the bullet about red wine, can't wait to enjoy one soon.!
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Congrats!! I'm SO happy for you and to hear this! I was diagnosed last July with Stage IV de novo and it is very encouraging to read about your journey!
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WOOHOO! Congratulations. Eight years is fantastic. I just hit one year, and your post fills me with hope and encouragement. Your list brought tears to my eyes. So much has happened. Life goes on.
I will have a sandwich in honor of your eight year milestone, and I will enjoy every bite.
Thank you
Lynne
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Hooray!!! I feel so happy for you. And for all the sister warriors who keep hope in their hearts, because of your longevity.
My son graduates from high school Friday. I never believed I would live long enough to see it. Sometimes life surprises us in beautiful ways.
I hope to comment on your 10-year post, and your 20- and 30-year posts, too.
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May you live well and long enough to see those sons through college, weddings and Grand babies!
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celebrating with you!
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Fitz, Fitz, Fitz! I am delighted for you. Your posts and your wonderful, sensible "Enjoy every sandwich" philosophy have inspired me ever since I joined this forum.
I'm going out tonight and will most assuredly raise a glass to your continued health. Brava!
Tina
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Oh Fitz! You were one of the first to give me a hand up when I was new and scared stupid. And your post today makes me feel hopeful and happy. Congratulations old friend- and keep on dancing. SU
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Congratulations, I am so happy that you are watching your boys grow into fine young men.
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Awesome! Thank you for inspiring so many of us! Wishing you many more years, experiences, laughs, and glasses of wine!
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Fitz, congratulations on eight years. It is amazing all that can happen during that time span while we are dealing with mets. You offer so much hope on these boards
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Congrats
EnJoy many more sandwiches and glasses of wine. My 15 yearold has an end of year presentation today. I love all the moments and milestones with him and my 19 year old daughter. Wishing you and all of us many, many more.
Mary
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Fitz,
You have always been a great inspiration on these boards. When I first arrived here, six years ago, you were one of the people that gave me a path that wasn't despair. For that, I am always grateful.
*susan*
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Another Michigander. I remember that day.
I was just finishing treatment and seeing someone whose posts were so awesome and inspiring go on to a new diagnosis scared me spitless, but you were so I am gonna do this, that somehow I knew that you would do this. And you have.
Thanks -- the Mets community needs more and more of you extraordinary responders, who can beat cancer back into its cage and lead full, meaningful lives
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Yay Fitz! May you continue enjoying every sandwich for a very very long time (and those glasses of wine too)! Congratulations!
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Wow, Fitz, when I look at the other fights and the other losses you have had to deal with in addition to MBC, I'm even more amazed at your spirit and encouraged to forge ahead bravely on my own "journey". So happy to know you get to see your sons heading into adulthood with you there to guide and enjoy them.
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Fitz - Congratulations on 8 years! You have inspired and given hope to so many of us! I will have a sandwich and a glass of wine soon to celebrate with you! (although it might be white - or maybe the sangria last night counts?). I'm so glad you have gotten to watch your boys grow up -I know how important that has been for you - here's to many more years of watching them grow and spending time with them as adults too!
Amy
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Yay Fitz! So it seems red wine, sandwiches, and twin boys are the keys to your success?! Hope you have many more anniversaries to share!
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Congratulations! This was just the right dose of inspiration I needed today
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Celebrating with you! Thanks for all your encouraging posts over the years!
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Wow Fitz, time flies! Here's to many, many more sandwiches and glasses of wine:)
Cheers to you!
Rose
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congrats!
Ebru
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To Fitz! Raise your glasses and sandwiches! Many, many more to you Fitz!
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Congratulations! With it's up and downs, you have truly lived life
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