Yesterday was my cancer-versary. Two years ago, I had my everything-ectomy and received my cancer diagnosis.
It’s definitely still weird to process.
I’m sitting outside nearly all day long these days, either on the daybed on my side porch or in the hammock between the two trees. Both still bring me back to being chemo’d, as that’s where I spent that summer.
It’s definitely still weird to process.
If I ate cake, I would get myself one with the topping I heard from one of my dearest cancer-friends.
“Good job not dying.”
I have said often that I was extremely lucky in my unluckiness. As I’ve written before, ovarian cancer is one of those cancers where people make that sound when you tell them. That gasping sound.
Because, generally, no one finds it before stage 3 or 4.
I was extremely lucky in my unluckiness that my body alerted me whilst I was still stage 1c. I am extremely grateful to my body for telling me that something was wrong.
I have also often shared two sayings that were given to me by that same cancer-friend.
“I will take more from cancer than cancer takes from me,” and “As bad as it is, it’s as good as it can be.”
As I continue to get better and stronger, and I continue to hope that I don’t find another physical hiccup or challenge to go through, I’m letting the good be even better and I’m taking from cancer, and that whole journey, all I can.
I am so proud of and thankful for my body for not dying. For still being here. For choosing to live and to live even more truthfully, lovingly, authentically, and out loud.
I know I’m still processing all that happened. That I have a hard time grasping that I had cancer. That I am a cancer survivor. That that’s another survivorship mantle I can wear. That I still most likely need to grieve and mourn and cry, and that I can also celebrate. That I can, bit by bit, day by day, hopefully let go of some of the remnant cancer-fear that seeps into you the first time someone uses that word and you in the same sentence.
That I can acknowledge that I made it through and that I’m cancer-free, as of my last scan. That I can honor my body for doing such an excellent, brilliant, magnificent, spectacular job not dying.
Good job not dying. Now go have a good day.
I’d love to hear your thoughts, and please share this post with others if it resonates with you!
Glad you’re still here, Lisa!! Congratulations! 💖🙏🏻💖
thank you xxx
Hi Lisa, I don’t read your blogs all the time, but when I do I love them. Crazy alignment that I also had stage 1C ovarian cancer. In a week it will be 5 years since my surgery. Cancer changed my life. It changed everything. Year 3 and 4 my life turned upside down in every way and I worked through so many changes—sold my business, got divorced, moved. But now my life is happier than ever. I am also older than you (60 yesterday) so my cancer lined up with a mid-life dark night of the soul. We can’t control these things. I know because I have managed to control so much in my life. Cancer, or any other life threatening experience, is the ultimate reminder that life is short and we don’t know what’s going to happen when.
Wishing you the best and thanks for continuing to share your story.
Hi Barbara,
First, wow. I am so happy yours was stage 1C too. That just doesn’t happen. And congratulations on all your changes. I am in the midst of mine still (always), and it’s hard and yet amazing. It has changed everything and continues to.
Life is short. Any way you look at it, too short. I am doing my best to live my best, happiest, healing-est life.
And, btw, I am older :). I turned 60 last September. Welcome to the 60s.
Thank you for reading my blog and for your loving comment.
Be well…
L xxx