TODAY IS MY 10-YEAR CANCERVERSARY!

TODAY IS MY 10-YEAR CANCERVERSARY!

Happy Saturday, ladies! I am praising God this morning ( I do every morning) for the blessings of being ten years cancer free from Triple Negative Breast Cancer. I have waited for this day for…well, ten years! There is something about being ten years free from cancer for me. I think that it is a number for many of us who go through it and strive to get to it. I know it’s just a number, but it’s a massive milestone for me.

When I first got the diagnosis, I had only just heard of Triple Negative about six weeks before from a friend in Birmingham who had been diagnosed. Our friend, diagnosed before me, was also our neighbor when we lived in Birmingham. Her husband was our general doctor. I will never forget him calling us to tell us that Vicky had Triple Negative. What is Triple Negative? I thought breast cancer was breast cancer, and it was all the same. He explained that it was a more aggressive form but did respond to chemo pretty well. He wasn’t the most optimistic from the sound of his voice. Fast forward six weeks from that phone call to the phone call from the head of the radiology department at UTSW telling me that I had breast cancer. From the biopsy, it looked like hormonal cancer, but I would find out after my double mastectomy on July 1, 2013, that I had Triple Negative as well.

What is TNBC? It is a kind of breast cancer that does not have any of the receptors that are commonly found in breast cancer. Most breast cancers have hormone receptors in them. There is an Estrogen receptor (ER) positive, in which the cells of this type of breast cancer have receptors that allow them to use the hormone estrogen to grow. The Progesterone reception (PR) positive is a type that is sensitive to progesterone, and the cells have receptors that allow them to use this hormone to grow. The third is the Hormone Receptor (HR) which doesn’t have hormone receptors, so it isn’t affected by treatments available for the first two. TNBC is negative of those three receptors, and I think it is environmentally fueled by something! I sure wish I knew what!

One of the first things that pop up when you google TNBC is that it is a type of breast cancer that affects African American women more than white women. I always found that odd until I started thinking more about it and wondered if the African American women they studied lived in rural areas with power lines or bad water. Now, in 2023, women of every color and every age will be diagnosed with TNBC. If you only get one thing out of this post, please know that women in their 20s and 30s are getting this nasty beast. If I had felt something in my 20s or 30s, I would have shrugged it off, or even my doctor may have. Please let your younger family members know that TNBC can affect them. I am so passionate about talking to younger women about this.

When I think back ten years, I can’t believe it happened to me and that I really went through surgery, chemo, and radiation. It sometimes feels like a dream and sometimes feels like a punch in the gut. I can honestly say, however, that I would not trade it for anything. I learned a lot from cancer. Every day is a gift and one that is denied by many. I don’t want to miss a thing in this life. We are not promised tomorrow, but I am so grateful to be here! I had great doctors, but I know that it is the grace of our Lord that I am here writing this.

I don’t think cancer defines who you are, but I believe what you do with it does. I have watched several people fight it until the very end, and they are heroes in my eyes, true warriors! I write all this to say don’t wait for something to rock your world. Live your life, and don’t miss the good stuff. We all get complacent ( I think more since Covid days), but enjoy your life and spend as much time with family and friends as possible. Don’t be afraid to take some chances, because what’s the worst thing that can happen?

More and more people are being diagnosed with all kinds of cancers. The best gift you can give them is a positive word and prayers. Let them know that you think they are incredible warriors. The positivity of the brain is what I believe can heal, and of course, the prayers.

I couldn’t wait for this day to come. It means I’m older, but it also means that I am still here! Life is such a gift, and we all need to embrace our time here on this earth. I fricking kicked cancer’s ass, and I will live like it! Thank you all for taking the ride with me! A lot of you have been here from the very beginning. I wish I could give all of you a big hug! Your support has meant the world to me because I’m no expert at anything but having cancer (that’s rough!). I bring breast cancer up often in hopes that you all will check yourselves and remind your loved ones to do the same thing. Early detection is still so important.

My daughter and crew flew in from LA last night, so I’m spending some time with my youngest granddaughters today. My husband is throwing me a party tonight to celebrate, which is what I will do!

I dedicate this post to my friend Vicky who was diagnosed before me. She went to heaven about a year and a half after being diagnosed. She was a huge source of strength for me as we walked our journey together. I think of her often!

Have a great weekend, and many thanks for your support!

Stay well and Be Safe!

Photos: Beckley & Co

 

 

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