Survivin’ and Thrivin’ !

 I Can Survive!

This week marks the 18th anniversary of my diagnosis of Breast Cancer.  I was 38 years old, married (quite unhappily) with a son 7 and a daughter just turned 5.  I had discovered my lump myself  in the shower a couple of months prior, right before a professional conference that took me to the Pacific Northwest.  During that trip, I took some much-needed time to consider what the future may hold.  Would I not see my children grow up, would I leave this earth with regrets about staying in a bad marriage?  How would I live out what remained of my life? 18 years later, I look back on those six months of surgery, chemo, and radiation as a horrific trial I wish on no one.

I have been single now for 13 years.  My children are grown and  on their own. I have come to appreciate life with a deep conviction only those who have stared into the abyss can know.

Diagnosis and treatment of breast cancer have come a long day since 1993.  Some day I know we will have a cure.

In a meantime, I try to bring comfort to those newly diagnosed with cancer, and pray for those going through treatment.

I stitched up this little pillow over the weekend to mark my anniversary!

Happy Stitching,
Pam