Journey Around the Pink Ribbon-Part 1
Today marks my 9th anniversary as Breast Cancer Survivor! I feel so lucky to be here and be able to share my journey. So many women, and men, have lost this battle. I am one of the lucky ones today. Throughout the next year I plan to celebrate monthly, in all kinds of ways, as I head towards the big 10th anniversary-February 25, 2014. Each month I will share a piece of my journey from my treatment, and some highlights from my monthly: Journey Around the Pink Ribbon.
2002: Some 10½ years ago (at age 38) I was scheduled for a mammogram. Early I know but with my mom being a survivor the doctor thought we should get a baseline. Unfortunately that spring I was dealing the most difficult group of students I ever have had and I simply skipped that appointment. Flash forward to September 2003-I had finally re-booked that mammogram appointment. and without much thought I headed out to Scripps Poway and went to my mammogram. The mammogram itself was rather uneventful and honestly when the technician came back from speaking with the radiologist and said, “the radiologist would like a few more films, and we want to use our more advanced machine in Torrey Pines.” I didn’t think much about it. “Okay when?” was my reply. A week later I found myself at Scripps Torrey Pines for a second mammogram, still unconcerned. That was all about to change though.
This time the radiologist followed the technician into the room after reviewing my films. I knew that something was definitely not right. This time I was told that they had found something suspicious and wanted to do a stereotatic needle biopsy to check to see what it was. Then they said this, “Don’t worry, 85% of these turn out to be nothing.” 85%? pretty good odds that it’s nothing...15%. Ok now I am a little concerned-luckily I am not one to panic so I scheduled that procedure for a week or later and called upon my closest friends, for support. I had also decided not to say anything to my mom-heck there was nothing to tell her yet...
Flash Forward-February 25, 2013-Today I am a proud 9 year survivor-grateful to be alive everyday! Each year I have marked this date in some way-sometimes simply by recognizing it with a dinner out, other years in bigger ways. As a cancer survivor you learn to mark time in a different way than you do if you've never had cancer-it's always before and after...I consider today sort of my second birthday-this day, 9 years ago, I was given a second chance to experience life. I try daily to remember this and live each day with this in mind. So to start this year-long celebration and celebrate this month I spent Saturday night(since I had to work today) out with my best friend, Alan-we headed to Old Town San Diego and The Cosmopolitan Hotel and Restaurant. We strolled through the quaint little State Park that Old Town is now. Looking in the old-fashioned shops and seeing all kinds of touristy trinkets, even an old fashioned candy store that smelled like black licorice and had big jars of candy on the shelves behind the counter to choose from if the desire so hit you. For most of the evening though we hung out at the Cosmo-the original home of the family "Bandini" from way back in the early 1800's. We shared a few hours of wonderful conversation, delicious garlic shrimp fajitas, even a cadillac margarita and listening to live jazz music.
I am forever grateful to everyone who has made this Journey Around the Pink Ribbon with Me!
With Love and Gratitude always~
Marla
My Dear Marla, this is my second attempt, so forgive me if you find a repeat...it is such an honor to share even a small slice of this day with you...every time I look at my little cake pop, I smile. I didn't know you through the battle that you waged and triumphed through, but I have come to admire you so very much. When I think of you, I see a a warrior who fights the good fight! Never stop leading by example Marla! You make the world a better place every single day. Your smile and energy are contagious and I am so very fortunate to call you my friend. I look forward to celebrating this special day with you for many years to come.
ReplyDelete