CANCERVERSARY NUMBER 7
CANCERVERSARY NUMBER 7
Happy Hump Day and Happy Cancerversary Number 7 for me! Today, July 1, has become an important day for me. It’s the day that I celebrate being cancer-free, when, in fact, it was the very beginning of my journey with breast cancer. Why do I choose to celebrate it on this day? My surgeon told me that on the day the tumor is removed from your body, you become a survivor, and boy I am one!
For those of you who might be new to this blog, I would love to give you a bit of background (if you’ve read for the last seven years, you won’t hurt my feelings if you exit the page). I was diagnosed on June 14, 2013, with breast cancer. I did not find out until after my double mastectomy (on July 1) that it was Triple-Negative. What is TNBC? This particular breast cancer accounts for about 10-15% of all breast cancers. The term triple-negative refers to the fact that the cancer cells don’t contain estrogen or progesterone receptors and also don’t make much of the protein called HER2. TNBC does not respond to hormonal therapy medicines or medicines that target HER2 protein receptors.
This is a better description from BreastCancer. org
- Triple-negative breast cancer is considered to be more aggressive. It has a poorer prognosis than other types of breast cancer, mainly because there are fewer targeted medicines that treat triple-negative breast cancer. Studies have shown that triple-negative breast cancer is more likely to spread beyond the breast and more likely to recur (come back) after treatment.
- It tends to be a higher grade than other types of breast cancer. The higher the grade, the less the cancer cells resemble normal, healthy breast cells in their appearance and growth patterns. On a scale of 1 to 3, triple-negative breast cancer often is grade 3.
- It usually is a cell type called “basal-like.” “Basal-like” means that the cells resemble the basal cells that line the breast ducts. Basal-like cancers tend to be more aggressive, higher grade cancers — just like triple-negative breast cancers. Most but not all basal-like breast cancers are triple-negative, and most, but not all, triple-negative breast cancers are basal-like.
After we found out that diagnosis, I was told that I had to have chemo and possibly radiation, I didn’t understand that if I was supposedly cancer-free after the mastectomy, why I would have to go through treatment. It was explained to me that with TNBC, you basically get one shot to eradicate the cells, and even though the tumor was removed, I did have a lymph node affected.
Treatment was an insurance policy to make sure it was gone.
I had eight rounds of chemo (every two weeks) followed by twenty-three rounds of radiation. After about six months of treatment, I had to wait six more months before I could be reconstructed.
When I think back at that time, I still can’t believe I went through it, but it changed me forever! A once hypochondriac, I am no more! I became a big believer that what you put into the world with your thoughts and especially words can predict an outcome. Words are so powerful! I’ve mentioned this book before, 365 Days of Healing, because it did change my thinking. One of my best friends sent it to me (she always been a prayer warrior for me and others), and I thank God that she did.
It is said that if you make it three years after a TNBC diagnosis, it’s good. After five years, it is even better. My oncologist told me last year at my six-year check-up that it was a great sign. Each year that passes, I breathe a bigger sigh of relief. I try not to think about it, but it will sometimes sneak up on me to throw me off.
I have to stop and verbally say, I am healed!
This post is a praise to God and a thank you to my family, friends, doctors, and you all (some of you have been with me a long time) for being such an amazing support to me while I was going through all of it. It is also my opportunity to beg you all to please get your mammograms and do self-checks. Tell your daughter’s, daughters-in-law, granddaughters, or anyone you are close to, to do the same. What is very scary about TNBC, is that it DOES NOT discriminate in age. Most women who are diagnosed are younger (some even in their 20’s) during childbearing years. It is often more common in black women as well.
I am one of the lucky ones. I am here and so blessed and grateful, but I also know that I have been given this opportunity for a reason. If you or anyone you know (God forbid) does get the diagnosis, I consider it a privilege to help guide the journey (and I really don’t like that word because it sounds like it’s fun), or let’s say experience. I would be so honored to do so as I have done with a few before.
So, cheers to me today and all of the other survivors out there! God is so GOOD!
Photos: Beckley & Co
Duster // Tee // Jeans ( go up one size) // Belt // Bag
July 1, 2020 @ 7:09 am
God bless- I have a sign in my powder room- “Miracles happen everyday-Some people don’t think so, but they do”
This message sustained me during a very serious family medical crisis. Definitely words to live by-
Enjoy your well deserved celebration!
July 1, 2020 @ 9:23 am
Happy cancerversary!! Hope you have many more. I enjoy reading your blog not just for the fashion (which I love) but also getting to know you. You’re a strong, brave woman and I admire you.
July 1, 2020 @ 9:31 am
Congrats on your 7th anniversary date! my husband has been cancer free for 5 years so I know what a momentous occasion this is for you! all the best wishes
July 1, 2020 @ 9:44 am
Congratulations from a fellow breast cancer survivor and God bless you, Cathy!
July 1, 2020 @ 9:45 am
What a wonderful reason to celebrate!!!!! Happy Cancerversary (and Happy Canada Day!)
July 1, 2020 @ 9:57 am
Love you girlfriend! This post made me feel so happy. What a reminder of how lucky we all are to live in a world where we are surrounded by friends who love us and Doctors who can whip cancer! Deeb
July 1, 2020 @ 10:04 am
Happy Cancerversary! What a miracle you are! And thank you for offering to walk alongside others who are experiencing this same thing (2 Cor. 1:4). God is indeed GOOD, no matter the circumstance or the outcome. Prayers and blessings going forward, Cathy!
July 1, 2020 @ 10:35 am
i have diagnosed on 14 june too and surgery happened on july 2nd. I hope to get to my seventh years too. God bless us.
July 1, 2020 @ 10:44 am
Such a big deal day! Delighted for you, and as a fairly new survivor, encouraged and humbled by this milestone. Always great to hear positive news! Wear those masks, social distance and keep up the positive evenly!
July 1, 2020 @ 10:44 am
God IS good. Everyday!
July 1, 2020 @ 12:47 pm
I am so proud of you for many reasons, but particularly for the good you are doing for so many people with your blog like today’s.
July 1, 2020 @ 1:35 pm
I love that you have shared with us your “journey”. Such good news today—especially in a world wrought with such awful goings-on! God bless you and keep us both cancer free! Bevy. P.S. thanks Pat, for sending this to me!
July 1, 2020 @ 2:04 pm
Cathy, you are a Warrior Woman in every respect! The joy you have, and
freely give, is pure gold. I’m not ‘out on a limb‘ when I say you have won so much by setting loose the No Quitters Allowed Club into the Universe!
Love and more to you, Ruth. P.S. You have the greatest Out-laws in the world. But you know that!
July 1, 2020 @ 2:12 pm
I have been thinking of you during these crazy times and have been meaning to reach out. I was meant to Google your blog today! Happy Cancerversary, my friend! You were my guardian angel during my treatment almost four years ago. I will never forget speaking with you for the first time one Sunday morning and your words were beyond comforting. I have tried to help others with words of comfort and strength the way you graciously helped me! I love you!
:)Sharon
July 1, 2020 @ 2:17 pm
I was pleased to her your good news and a world like we live in now is so good to know that God is still making miracles and you are a great example. God bless happy fourth of July
July 1, 2020 @ 3:31 pm
Kathy, God has blessed you and hopefully he will bless you for many many many more years. Love you a bunch. Jimmy.
July 1, 2020 @ 3:54 pm
Congratulations Cathy for your seven year mark and continuing to live a joy filled life. As someone with a chronic illness I know it doesn’t come easy some days. After my diagnosis, I became a worse case scenario girl! Love your blog and your zest for life!
July 1, 2020 @ 5:59 pm
What a bright light your story is in this horrible crisis we are all experiencing. I love hearing your story, and continue to read it spellbound, each year.
God bless you. Please continue your good work and send me another joyful message next year. M
My love to you and yours!
July 1, 2020 @ 7:38 pm
,Congratulations, you have accomplished so much, by sharing your journey you give others the will to fight as you have fought, to conquer as you have conquered, to live each day with faith to enjoy the next …………….loving you…………..
July 1, 2020 @ 9:33 pm
Thank you for sharing such an inspiring journey, particularly during this time of chaos and unrest in our country.
Congratulations for your courage.
July 1, 2020 @ 11:25 pm
Cathy! Congratulations- you are one of the strongest, most positive women I know. Your gratitude and wonderful spirit are so refreshing. You did what we all struggle to do- to take a difficult situation and turn it into a positive! Shine that light of yours always. The world needs you now more than ever!
Much love!
July 2, 2020 @ 8:24 am
So happy for you to be able to celebrate this important anniversary. My mom was also diagnosed with breast cancer in 2013 and is healthy today because of her treatment and fighting spirit. I love that you offer to support anyone else going through this, you’re amazing!!
July 3, 2020 @ 8:08 am
Hi Cathy!
I’m so very happy that you are able to celebrate this very special anniversary! Here’s and Cheers…to many many more! Happy Weekend!