My First Anniversary

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shevawn
shevawn Member Posts: 23
edited June 2014 in Life After Breast Cancer

I'm approaching the 1 yr. anniversary of my diagnosis & my subsequent surgery, which supposedly left me cancer free. My family suggested we go somewhere special for dinner, but I'm not sure how I feel about "celebrating" either of these dates & wondered how others commemorate the day your life was forever changed.

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  • camillegal
    camillegal Member Posts: 16,882
    edited June 2012

    That's wonderful for u, but I know it seems in order to celebrate but the feeling for tat escapes me also--it's always reminding me somehow what horror to go thru. But probably for u'r family after all they are so thankful for u too it should be done. IMHO It's such a scary subject to us, but others feel like WOW it's over---That's why I'm writing at 3am--can't sleep LOL--never had that problem before hahaha

  • shevawn
    shevawn Member Posts: 23
    edited June 2012

    I hear ya. This insomnia is recent - since the date hit me yesterday/today & I realized next week is the anniversary of hearing "the news." I've been so busy this past 6 months, giving very little active thought or energy/attention to cancer. I suppose all the upcoming worrying over the next week will make up for that! I guess I'll take something to help me sleep tomorrow night. This isn't good.



    Maybe I'll plant a tree on the 20th - diagnosis day. I'll definitely blog about it. Maybe I'll have my son write about it too. And my family. A collection of THEIR memories of those two monumental days would be awesome to capture. I think I'll drink champagne on the 27th - cancer free day. :)

  • Seashellie
    Seashellie Member Posts: 152
    edited June 2012

    Hello Shevawn,

    I'm so happy to find this thread. Today marks one year since my diagnosis and I'm feeling kind of the same way. The other day I suggested to my husband that we go to dinner tonight to celebrate getting through all that we have this past year but today I'm having mixed feelings about it. I'm proud and happy to have gotten through the past 12 months because in the begining I had trouble making it day to day through all the tears, stress and panic. Plus I just had chest and abdominal MRI's that came out clean so I am very happy! But on the other hand celebrating the 1 year diagnosis date doesn't really feel right. I love your idea of planting a tree!! That does feel right to me. A way to commemorate getting through the year but not really celebrating the actual date. I do think some champagne to celebrate the clean MRI's is in order though! 

    Thank you for the idea and congratulations to you for getting through the turbulence of the past year. 

  • Sierra
    Sierra Member Posts: 1,638
    edited June 2012

    Hello Ladies:

    I just saw your post here

    and wanted to Congratulate you 

    on your anniversary, this is a big one

    Im several years out

    and have not forgotten

    Actually, I just did as I felt that day

    really, my mate did not acknowledge however,

    I went full steam ahead and was happy to be at the l yr mark

    Best wishes to you

    take good care of yourself

    Hugs, Sierra

    (l2 yrs out)

    You will arrive here as well :)

  • Seashellie
    Seashellie Member Posts: 152
    edited June 2012

    Thank you for the kind words and inspiration, Sierra! That means a lot. I look forward to being 12  years out. Congratulations to you!

  • shevawn
    shevawn Member Posts: 23
    edited July 2012

    Hi, all.

    I just wanted to share that I DID plant a tree - a flowering magnolia that has giant pink blooms in the spring. I planted it on June 27th, my cancer-free anniversary, instead of my diagnosis day. Figured I wanted to be reminded of the GOOD days every year, instead of the bad one!! I also blogged about my one-year anniversary & wanted to share my blog with all of you, with the hope it helps someone feel less alone & less afraid of what's to come (for those newly diagnosed). www.shevawn.tumblr.com

     I'm so grateful for this forum. Not sure how I would survive without it!! 

    much love, 

    Shevawn

  • Anonymous
    Anonymous Member Posts: 1,376
    edited July 2012

    This sounds all too familiar.  I had 1 year anniversary of diagnosis and turned 50 the same time!  I still have expanders (waiting 6 months after rads for exchange) so don't really feel done.  I agree with your comments about how people around you are.  I feel like people in my life think I am done and lets celebrate.  I don't quite feel that way, although I wish I could. :)

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