Five year anniversary

Hello ladies.  I haven't posted in a long while.  I am coming up on my five year anniversary the Tuesday after Memorial Day so I figured it was time for me to visit and try to encourage other women at the beginning of this process.  I remember when I was diagnoised I was afraid to think about the five years ahead.  I believed I would not be here to see this day or if I was lucky enough to make it that far I would be dealing with a very bad recurrance.  Being in the middle of everything it is hard at times to be positive.  I did the chemo, radiation and reconstructive surgery over a 2 1/2 year time table.....I waited on the reconstructive surgery as I needed a lattisimus dorsi flap after the radiation and I was scared.  I am back to life as normal now.  I have 6 month check ups and I am doing everything I did before my diagnosis. I do have lymphedema which I have to wrap and wear my sleeves (I do cheat on the sleeve's in warmer weather)and I am currently back in physical therapy for my arm but that hasn't changed my life...it's just part of my routine now.  I don't dwell on my cancer.  I go days...weeks without even thinking about it.  I am not afraid to make plans for my future.  Life does go on.  Please remember this diagnosis does not have to mean the end of everything you love.  It will not control your every thought and decision a few years down the road. You may have moments here and there where you remember how scared you were but you will not live your future in a state of fear.  I hope my words are encouraging.