Cancerversaries: How do you celebrate?

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Moderators
Moderators Member Posts: 25,912
edited November 2014 in Acknowledging and honoring our Community


Post a 4-5 sentence description of how you’ve celebrated and we’ll feature it in a blog!

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  • SelenaWolf
    SelenaWolf Member Posts: 1,724
    edited December 2013

    It is a day like any other.  I note, in passing, that it's been another year and then I just keep moving forward.  No celebration needed, as I already have the best gift: I'm still alive.

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  • NatsFan
    NatsFan Member Posts: 3,745
    edited December 2013


    I celebrate with my dh and a bottle of really good champagne!

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  • Bren-2007
    Bren-2007 Member Posts: 6,241
    edited December 2013


    Mods,


    I usually don't celebrate it, but might mention it to my sister or post about it on a thread on BCO.


    hugs,


    Bren

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  • mrenee68
    mrenee68 Member Posts: 383
    edited December 2013


    This year I celebrated my one year cancerversary with my family. My husband gave my a dozen roses and then the 5 of us went out to dinner. Pretty simple celebration but much appreciated.

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  • LtotheK
    LtotheK Member Posts: 2,095
    edited December 2013


    For the first time, this year my cancerversary came and went without my realizing it! It has been three and a half years since my diagnosis. My celebration is a full life back on track, no matter what the future holds. I also celebrate my gift of life by focusing on the women who are in treatment so they are never alone.

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  • sbelizabeth
    sbelizabeth Member Posts: 2,889
    edited December 2013


    I know the philosophy behind celebrating a cancerversary, but I just can't jump on board. The day I learned of my initial biopsy findings was a day filled with shock, fear, and foreboding. I do not celebrate it. On both the anniversaries of October 20, 2011, I spent a few moments reflecting on how much I've learned about myself through this hand-to-hand combat, and how happy I am to be alive. Then I get on with my day.

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  • Anonymous
    Anonymous Member Posts: 1,376
    edited December 2013


    Give thanks, and hope for another year.

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  • MAPallotta
    MAPallotta Member Posts: 2
    edited December 2013


    This past September was a year since my mastectomy which followed with chemo and radiation. I wanted to give back to all of my family, friends and neighbors who supported me through my journey so I invited everyone to my house. In addition to the great food which I prepared, I wrote a personal thank you note to all! Even my beloved Sheba got a personal thank you! We all enjoyed the food and company plus some of my guests were meeting each other for the first time. I plan to make this a yearly event!

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  • Anonymous
    Anonymous Member Posts: 1,376
    edited December 2013


    I celebrated the last two very quietly. The first one was a mountain climb and the second was a very long multi-miles hike. I'm afraid to celebrate outwardly--I guess I'm too superstitious.

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  • Anonymous
    Anonymous Member Posts: 1,376
    edited December 2013

    I would celebrate the cancerversary of the 1st mx (10/24/96) with so much joy that I was still here. Gradually, I forgot the exact date and just remembered it was in October. The 2nd mx was 10/31/12 - Halloween! The nurses were wearing funny headbands and jewelry. Told them I didn't want to wake up to angels or devils! It will be difficult to ever forget the date again.

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  • Moderators
    Moderators Member Posts: 25,912
    edited December 2013


    These are all wonderful posts so far! Anyone else? We'd love to have a ton of stories to feature in future blogs, too! Please continue to share!

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  • tdbear
    tdbear Member Posts: 307
    edited December 2013

    When I first had my diagnosis and elected for a mastectomy instead of a lumpectomy, because I didn't want a lumpectomy and radiation...(4-15-02 MY BIRTHDAY!!)  I felt I was done with it. Everything says in 5 years no worry!! but in 2006 only 4 years past it was back!! So now every year I mark the cancerversary with at least a small get together at work. 

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  • Ariom
    Ariom Member Posts: 6,197
    edited December 2013

    I just passed my 1st year Anniversary without any celebration, just reflecting on how fast the past year flown and how much my life has changed since that mammogram call back, but surprisingly, not in a bad way.

    I'll be forever grateful for the wonderful Technicians who have come into my life, and for the latest technology that discovered and then biopsied my "problem" and then my SNB. To the Surgeon and the Medical team who gave me options, and then followed my wishes, taking great care of me and keeping me informed when my results came in. Then giving me a long term plan to follow.

    I have felt a shift, I know I'll never be the same person that stumbled into this, a year ago, but I have learned so much along the way, and this site has been instrumental in getting me through some fearful times. I appreciate being able to "Pay it Forward"!

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  • lovelikecrazy
    lovelikecrazy Member Posts: 32
    edited December 2013

    We planted a peach tree.  I explained to everyone that it meant I was hopeful that I would be around to harvest the fruit.  It seemed fitting to me.  Might just plant something every year as a way to celebrate.

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  • slv58
    slv58 Member Posts: 1,216
    edited December 2013

    lovelikecrazy, what a great idea! I'm curious when everyone "marks" their date? Dx? end of treatment? Day of surgery? 

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  • proudtospin
    proudtospin Member Posts: 5,972
    edited December 2013

    the end of rads for me was the Friday before Xmas, and that seems the right time to celebrate, that means this week is 5 years.

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  • MsPharoah
    MsPharoah Member Posts: 1,034
    edited December 2013

    I celebrate everything cancer related with a big old middle finger to it!  I know that isn't inspiring, but it makes me feel really good. 

    MsP

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  • JoanQuilts
    JoanQuilts Member Posts: 633
    edited December 2013

    I don't.  Having been diagnosed with a second breast cancer 19 years after my first, I know that as breast cancer survivors we are never out of the woods.  The celebration will start the day we learn how to prevent or cure this disease for good. 

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  • Claire_in_Seattle
    Claire_in_Seattle Member Posts: 4,570
    edited December 2013

    I celebrate every single day that I am here, got through cancer, and onto a wonderful new phase of my life.  Last year's adventure was vineyard camping, something I never would have done prior to my move to Seattle.  I think my one year's was a friends' moving party where I was the only one who showed up to help.

    My next milestone will be the five year mark, and not sure what adventure I will choose.  Since it's ~Labor Day, I will pick something for that weekend.  It could be back to the vineyard, but with better camping gear.

    I celebrate my birthday even more, since these are ones that would not have happened otherwise.  I have a major one coming up a year from February, and I am thinking about hut skiing.  Notice that I will be able to burn off anything I consume, and I will need to carry in whatever food I choose to have.

    I celebrated doing today's "moist" ride by having TWO croissants at the bakery where I stopped.  The other cyclists had bailed.....but guess what?  I feel wonderful. - Claire

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  • Moderators
    Moderators Member Posts: 25,912
    edited December 2013

    Your responses are as varied as you all are, and we appreciate every one of them!

    • The Mods

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  • gmn_canada
    gmn_canada Member Posts: 7
    edited January 2014

    Interesting reading!  Like slv58 I wondered what is celebrated:. The diagnosis? The end of all active treatment?  The next mammogram that says 'all clear'? And I realize that whatever you choose is perfect and wonderful!

    When I turned 40 I marked it by running a marathon.  When I turn 50 this May I am not sure what I will do but it will be also 1 year post surgery (so technically 'cancer-free', even though I still had radiation to get through) and I feel that might be the time to celebrate.  I may take a page out of MAPallota's book and host a gratitude party for those that supporters me along my crazy cancer journey!

    However it plays out I say Be well, Live Happy.

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  • april485
    april485 Member Posts: 3,257
    edited January 2014


    I just had my one year "cancerverssary" yesterday and I did not really acknowledge it at all. I just want to forget this past year happened. Although I am still suffering the side effects of Aromasin as a reminder, I want to put it in my past and just keep trucking forward. My hubby gave me an extra squeeze yesterday when I mentioned it and that was it. Oh, and I ate pizza for dinner, diet be damned! LOLWinking

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  • Carolben
    Carolben Member Posts: 287
    edited January 2014

    Interesting thread, thanks Mods!  I take the cancerversary from the date of my mx. Last May was 1 year, and I'd gotten the stage iv dx a couple of months before, so didn't even think of celebrating anything.  This year I think a barbecue at home with close friends who are sharing this journey with me.  And to give thanks for being alive and still able to enjoy my life! 

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  • JulieMI
    JulieMI Member Posts: 34
    edited January 2014

    I am only one year out from chemo so I don't celebrate.  I just try to forget it.

    I might think of celebrating when it's 5 years or more.  That's still so far away.

    I pray to God please don't let me face cancer again in my life.

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  • rozem
    rozem Member Posts: 1,375
    edited January 2014

    I don't know the exact date I was diagnosed, just that it was mid August.  I don't celebrate because anniversaries to me are happy and that was not happy.  The darkest day ever.  I do reflect on important and special moments that have happened since and tell myself how fortunate I am to be here to enjoy them.

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  • tdbear
    tdbear Member Posts: 307
    edited February 2014

    My 5 year cancerversary ( 1st time) we went to the Oregon Coast the motel had chocolates and sparkling cider and even a card!! Plus our friend send me a beautiful bouquet !!

    But now I'm at square one again. 2002 mastectomy LT 2006 found a lump on the mastectomy site... yup it's back, chemo rads and all the bad stuff. fast forward to 2013 rt breast small amounts of IN SITU and calcification  and thanks to health care reform as of 1-1-14 I would have no insurance SO I hurry up and have a mastectomy.( and more side affects than the 1st) Now my cancerversary will be Dec not Nov!! LOL

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  • Blessings2011
    Blessings2011 Member Posts: 4,276
    edited February 2014

    I always forget and the date just slips by unnoticed.

    I just try to live the life I learned how to live having gone through a BC dx, which is significantly different than the life I was living before. 

    Some parts of the new life suck, but most of it is WAY better.

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  • Moderators
    Moderators Member Posts: 25,912
    edited February 2014

    Such a variety of celebration and non-celebration. However you feel about the date and what comes after, we celebrate every one of you, every day.

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  • proudtospin
    proudtospin Member Posts: 5,972
    edited February 2014

    today I get to celebrate the end of taking my AL.....not sure how it will feel after being on the med for 5 years, are my aches and pains due to the AL or just age?  guess I will find out

    celebrating....not sure how to do it

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  • Jeannie57
    Jeannie57 Member Posts: 2,144
    edited February 2014

    Thanks, mods. I am two years out from dx as of 1/27/2014 and one year out from finishing chemo today, 2/1.  Two years out from bmx in March. I don't really feel like celebrating any of it, just marking those days, reflecting on....everything.  Maybe I will celebrate my DIEP day, when it felt like I got something back that I lost, I don't know.

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