That's right. It's been 8 years cancer free since I finished chemo. I knew it ended in May 2003, but sitting in my oncologist's office for my yearly checkup I resorted to counting on my fingers to confirm that it really has been that long. I kept thinking my math was off. Given that when I was first diagnosed the average life expectancy was 5 - 10 years, I'd say having to count on my fingers to keep up with the years is a pretty cool thing. While my doctor and I know I'm not cured, keywords like 'durable remission' have a lot of meaning. I'm healthier than I have been in a decade, full of life, and cancer is no longer in the forefront of my consciousness. Sometimes I catch sight of my tattoo and am almost surprised, like: Oh, yeah, that's right. I am a cancer survivor. And that in itself is an amazing accomplishment. To not even think about cancer for days or weeks, when at one time I considered it one of my defining characteristics. I'm thinking I might have to start throwing milestone parties as the years go by.
No comments:
Post a Comment