I could not have written it any better. And it’s so fitting for today, when I feel down and emotional and troubled — a world away from how I felt when I wrote my last entry. There is no specific reason for my anxiety today — other than this: I am surviving cancer. And in six months, when my Herceptin treatment ends, I will be surviving in a whole new dimension. I’ll be on my own. And that’s scary.
Thanks for sharing this article, Adriene.
KD on 1/22/2006 at 8:18 pm said:
Jacki – I know you have what it takes to turn your emotions today into something positive just like you have with every other ordeal associated with journey. While I cannot accurately comprehend the issues discussed in the article; they make sense and give those of us within your support network reminders that while you seem like the same old Jacki your life has been altered forever.
As the 22nd anniversary of my mother’s death approaches I am delighted to read about the number of survivors and their special needs. I know my mother’s life would have been forever altered should she have survived the illness, however, I would give just about anything to know how our entire family would have been blessed by her presence. I am glad more children are having an opportunity to be raised by cancer-surviving parents.
Hang in there, my friend, and always focus on the positive. -KD
April on 1/22/2006 at 8:25 pm said:
What an interesting article. I can only imagine what your day-to-day struggles are as you always have the word “cancer” in the back of your mind. Good days and bad days are a part of your everyday existance. Wondering what kind of a day it will be today? You said it yourself. You are a “cancer survivor”. You are strong and motivated to fight it head on.
Stay positive and know that all who read your blog and all whose life you have touched with your story are behind you in your struggles. Good days and bad. You are an inspiration to everyone fighting the disease and those of us who have learned so much about it from you. Stay strong and keep fighting.
April
Jane on 1/23/2006 at 6:20 am said:
Oh, Jacki, you are on the bumpy road of life. Just when we think all is well, something can strike us down, and alter our course forever .. I know. The article is very moving. It must almost hurt for you to read those words ! Remember that she is a survivor, just as you are. It takes great strength to be one. Don’t waivor now .. you’ve come so far and done so well. There’s sunshine and gladness ahaed.
Love, Jane
Dalene on 1/23/2006 at 4:14 pm said:
Hi, I am new here. I have the Rutabaga Stew blog for breast cancer prevention and survivorship, and found your blog while searching for blogs to add to my annotated list of blogs.
Very well-written article, “What Happens When You Live.” I do not know if that ever goes away, the anxiety, although it isn’t with me every day as it once was — now only when I get an ache or pain or simple headache. No ailment seems simple, and that annoys me, almost more than it frightens me. I have a few mental remedies: such as I sit down and write out a list of all the things I want to do in this life and have promised myself I will do. I have written this list more than once, but it seems to help to focus on hope and the future. I think back to the last bout of anxiety over cancer doing me in, and realize it obviously did not do me in, because here I am having another bout of anxiety about cancer doing me in. It helps to minimize my seriousness about the worry and fear. And objectively, the majority of women diagnosed with breast cancer today will go on to live many years. That is realistic statistics. I decide to be one of them.
Kathy on 1/28/2006 at 6:02 am said:
Your blog is very inspiring and I wanted to write to say thank you for helping me be positive about all the stuff that happens.