Reflecting on My Cancerversary

November was a busy month for me, but there was a lot to celebrate and a lot for me to be thankful for. I was fortunate to celebrate my eight years cancerversay on November 20th. I celebrate other dates sometimes, but November 20th is extra special to me. It reminds me that I’ve come such a long way in dealing with lung cancer, and I still have some juice in me to continue the fight. Living with lung cancer has many challenges, but it doesn’t stop me from living. And it shouldn’t stop anyone else, so celebrate your cancerversary!

The day I was diagnosed with lung cancer changed my life

November 20th changed my life forever. But every year, I’m thankful that I got to see yet another year, which helps me continue fighting so I can live longer.

Being reminded to push for lung cancer advocacy

It reminds me that there’s still a lot of work to do to change how lung cancer is viewed. It also reminds me to give hope to those that need it most. I am reminded again to be that voice for those that are no longer with us. The torch has been passed to me so I can continue to keep on fighting for more research to be done and better treatment to be discovered so us living with lung cancer can live longer. Like I always say, “we matter too!”

Appreciating how far I've come living with lung cancer

Every year on November 20th, the day I was diagnosed with lung cancer, I reflect on how far I’ve come and all the wonderful milestones I witnessed and experienced. I then focus, and I set a goal for the following year. I think about what I want to see, what I want to do, and what I want to experience while I’m still on this earth.

The endless love and support from my family

My daughter always bakes me a cake on my cancerversary. We either go out to eat, or my husband cooks us all an amazing dinner. My husband always tells me, “here’s to many more!” He always reassures me I will be around much longer than statistics say.

Plans for a big cancerversary celebration!

In two more years, in 2024, it’ll be my 10th-year cancerversary, and I want to celebrate BIG! I really want to go to Tahiti, Fiji, Bora Bora, Maldives, or Seychelles. If I can make it happen, my husband and I will be there, but if not, it’s ok. Just as long as I get to go somewhere wonderful to celebrate ten years! I thought about having a huge party and inviting friends, family, and even some of my lung cancer tribe, but that can get expensive. But we shall see where it might lead me, and I can’t wait to find out.

Celebrating NED

I also celebrate December 2nd because that’s the day I was told I was NED. I was NED for about four years when I was told in 2019 I had two small brain mets. They were stable for 2 ½ years until February of this year they started growing. Now I’m just waiting to hear that I’m NED again to celebrate this one too.

No matter if it is one year, ten years, or in between - celebrate your cancerversary because you deserve to!