Ode to Remission!!!

A sight for sore eyes, a long time coming.

No longer the blues, now a cheerful tune I'm humming.

The last five years have tested me hard,

Cancer makes you defensive, you lift your guard.

Topsy turvy, upside down, 

you lose your hair, you lose your crown.

Weakness and strength seem to coexist.

As you search for reasons, and make life lists.

The storm subsides and the sun comes out

Remission is here! I want to shout.

Thankful for family, friends, and faith

Go tell someone you love them, for goodness sake.

Let's recap, shall we? Initially diagnosed in 2008 at age 25...double mastectomy. Returned in early 2011...lumpectomy and radiation. In final days of radiation, diagnosed with Stage 2...Lumpectomy and left axila removal (15 lymph nodes), chemotherapy for a year...finished in August 2012. While I am still undergoing reconstruction procedures and will be for at least the next year, it is an unbelievable relief to know that toxic poisonous cancer is no longer lingering in my body. Breast cancer, pink ribbons, the color pink, and "fighting like a girl" have come to define my life and always will.  But soon, I will be able to look at these things retrospectively, with appreciation for the sisterhood and support they represent.

I am blogging to you from my side porch on a beautiful spring afternoon.  This is the same porch where my great grandmother and I played many rounds of Rummy, and where Meme and Grandad wore slap out their Aggravation gameboard (remember that game?) My spoiled puppy dog is sunning on a pile of pillows...he deserves it. 

We have already begun to celebrate this milestone and the party train will keep on rollin' all summer.  With Fleetwood Mac on tour, and a visit to my sissy's house in Chicago on the books, I'm optimistic I will be able to give and receive a whole lotta love in the coming months.

LOVE AND SO MUCH APPRECIATION FOR YOUR CONTINUED SUPPORT!!!!

Carls