How do you feel about your birthday after BC?

I think you deserve a week off but not to avoid coworkers.  Just to enjoy a week and your birthday and do something fun and celebrate that you actually got another birthday.  So think of it that way.  Hey, if your cousin wants to do something, do it but tell her you want a joyous celebration and not one where people give you crutches and prune drinks.  All that silliness is a part of being alive too and part of society.

For me, everything is so emotional.  I cry of joy or sadness at the drop of a hat.  I had a really small birthday last year, 39.  I had it the day before because I knew I would start crying in front of the kids, if it was my actual birthday.  I wouldn't of done anything if a friend didn't sent me a cake by mail!  Now that I'll be turning 40 in August, sometimes I think I want a huge party to fundraise for a BC cause, somedays I feel like it will be way  too much.  I think I don't want anything special.  I'm just not ready.  I still need Herceptin until just about my 40th birthday (give or take a week).  Last week was my 1 year diagnosis aniversary.  I spent it getting a massage and volunteering for that oncology massage clinic.  I told everyone there and I had tears in my eyes every time.  My family just doesn't get it.  They just think this cancer thing is over with.  When I asked my DH why he hadn't put my chemo appointments in the calendar he said, I thought you were done in June.  My dad said, aren't you tired of going to all those appointments.  Sometimes people think cancer is just like getting a bad cold...really...

I just read your other post CoolBreeze.

last year was the first birthday I had after diagnosis. I loved it and I treasured it. In a sense it was my first borthday because I was so happy and grateful to turn a year older. I embrace aging, I want to age! I want to age with my husband and two kids!!!!

I celebrate every day, but especially holidays and my birthday.  I used to be bad, celebrating my birthday for at least a month.

I have graduated to terrible.  I started in November with Thanksgiving, then slid into Christmas and New Year's.  On to February, my real birthday and then Valentine's Day.

I did my actual birthday at the wine bar.  I made tons of pate and bean salad for those who don't do meat.  The wine bar folks kicked in a cheese plate.  I bought real French bread from the local bakery.  I could do this as classified as a "Tasting Room" and not a restaurant.

We all had a blast, and my pate is now legendary.  Folks are still raving.  (I also supplied quiche for New Year's Eve, but came home to watch fireworks from the roof deck where I live.)

Having a quiet dinner tonight as celebrated Cinco de Mayo last night with a building party.

I intend to continue this tradition.  Anyway, I can say that one day is nowhere enough.  Go for a week and then a MONTH.  In fact, one of my big recent learnings is that we eat too much as a society and don't feast nearly enough.

Happy, happy birthday.  I see no reason that celebrating and running should be mutually exclusive.  I am a cyclist, and I make sure I do lots of both. - Claire

GR4C1E - When I turned 50, it truly was a turning point for me.

No more BS about sweating the small stuff, no more worrying about what others thought, no more trivial crap taking up space in my life.

The one thought I DID have was "How am I going to spend the next half of my life?"

Well, getting BC wasn't on the list, but I did - at 60. I'll be 62 in four months. Does that bother me? Heck no! I can start drawing Social Security!

For the record, I am still asking myself "How am I going to spend the next half of my life?" but now that question has taken on new meaning, and I am reminded to not wait, not put things off, not procrastinate, and to make every day count.

p.s. All that "Over The Hill" crap is just that. Kudos to you for running in the SGK 5K!!!!!!! You rock!!!!

GR4C1E, I get the part about avoiding coworkers on your birthday.



You want the day to be special and memorable. What would be your ideal birthday experience? Can you achieve it or something like it? How about going away to somewhere really nice and special? And maybe a beauty treatment (facial).



I went to Paris for my birthday this year. It was perfect; something I had dreamt of doing.



You can still do something with your cousin at another time if you want to.



Be assertive and do what will make you happy. You only turn 50 once!



You don't sound that old by the way. 50 is now what 40 used to be.

I will be 56 in September and that will mark almost 1 year at stage IV. Before bc, I never minded getting older and now I really don't. I became a grandmother almost 5 months ago and that has been wonderful and funny since I hardly fit the "granny" image. Birthdays? Bring'em on!

Caryn