Celebrating My Cancerversary Like a Birthday

October 2024 marks seven years on the journey of my stage IV lung cancer with EGFR expression. In some ways, it doesn’t seem like it’s been seven years, but in other ways, it seems like it has been a lot longer.

Marking milestones

I started on Tagrisso as a first line and have remained stable on this medication. I was diagnosed as stage IV due to involvement in both lungs but contained to the lungs only.

So far, my cancer has remained stable and has not spread or progressed. I feel like I get to have a second birthday, so to speak. I am grateful for every year and desire to celebrate each year that passes.

Celebrating a cancerversary, especially after seven years of stability with stage IV lung cancer, is a personal milestone. Like a birthday, it marks the passage of time but with a more profound sense of gratitude and reflection. For me, this is not just a date on the calendar but a celebration of life, hope, faith, and gratitude.

Stage IV lung cancer is a truly debilitating diagnosis, both physically and emotionally. Yet here I am, seven years later, stable and living proof that hope, strength, and the grace of God can defy expectations.

Each year that passes isn’t merely about surviving but about thriving in the face of a battle that challenges the body and mind. I have often said that the emotional part of the battle is just as difficult, if not more difficult, than the physical battle. My cancerversary is a tribute to every obstacle overcome, every prayer answered, and every moment of perseverance.

Celebrating life and gratitude

Like a birthday, this is an additional opportunity to gather with loved ones—those who have been by my side through the highs and lows, offering support, prayers, and unconditional love. These celebrations are filled with laughter, joy, and deep gratitude.

Just as birthdays remind us of our entry into this world, my cancerversary reminds me of my ongoing fight to remain in it. It’s a moment to look around and be reminded of the people, experiences, and hope that have made this journey worthwhile.

However, this celebration also carries a sense of reverence. Each year is a gift that I do not take for granted.

I reflect on my immense gratitude for modern medicine, the support of my medical team, and the strength I’ve found in my faith. It’s not just about the treatments and stability, it’s about the divine hand guiding me through uncertainty and the prayers that have lifted my spirit when fear threatened to pull me under.

At the same time, my cancerversary is a moment to honor the person I’ve become throughout this experience. I said at the beginning of my journey that I would start living intentionally the very best that I could.

More than a birthday

Just as a birthday marks the passing of time, my cancerversary reminds me that time is precious. I celebrate surviving and living with purpose, faith, and a heart full of gratitude. This day is about more than just me—it’s about those who battle alongside me, the countless prayers that have been offered on my behalf, and the reminder that life is still beautiful.

In many ways, my cancerversary is even more significant than a birthday. It’s a celebration of second chances, a reminder that my story is still being written, and an opportunity to honor the strength that has brought me this far. I will continue to celebrate each cancerversary with hope and the unwavering belief that every year and every good day is truly a gift.