Last Year, the massive “C” word seriously hit home. I experienced a cancer scare and needed major surgery. Every thing turned out to be okay and the cyst was not cancerous. On the other hand, two weeks following my surgical procedure my only sibling was diagnosed with stage three breast cancer. I was devastated with the news and still striving to cope with the loss of my dad which occurred the prior year. Not to mention, I was in significant pain from having my ovary removed and really stressed out from believing I may have had cancer. The very thought of losing my sister as well was unacceptable and I couldn’t fathom the idea of her not being here on this earth with me. I became emotionally distraught, furious, and was feeling hopeless all at one time.
Thankfully following chemotherapy, surgery, and radiation treatments my sister doesn’t possess any signs of cancer malignancy. YEAH! She’s cancer free and living life to the fullest extent. Her hair, lashes, and eyebrows are finally growing back again and the endless visits to the doctor are becoming further apart. My sister is on the path to recovery and preparing for reconstruction surgery within a few weeks.
Nevertheless, once you’re diagnosed with cancer it’s a lifelong altering experience that you are unable to forget. The anxieties of the cancer returning along with the mental misery of battling such an ugly disease will always be there. Cancer changes you forever regardless of whether it’s for the good or the bad. An individual struggling with the “C” word will consistently require support and understanding.
My overall point of sharing with you my personal account about cancer is to show folks you can defeat it despite the statistics of the rate of survival looking bleak. We have to stand strong collectively and stomp out cancer! The American Cancer Society is running a fantastic campaign called Relay For Life with the mission to create a world with less cancer and more birthdays. People from everywhere, young and old, get together and attend the event to reminisce about their loved ones who’ve died of cancer and celebrate those who have survived as well as raising money to fight for a cure. It’s a truly wonderful way of bringing about awareness while encouraging family and friends who’s lives have been touched by cancer. Watch this brief sponsored video below featuring the Relay For Life Luminaria TV Commercial. It’s awesome!
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To find a Relay For Life event in your area and learn more information on how you can donate your time or money to help fight against cancer, please visit relayforlife.org.
Disclosure: This post is sponsored by The American Cancer Society
Cancer Sucks! My mom has had 3 different types of cancer. With so much treatment she is finally cancer free. I also had a cyst that was non-cancerous. I was saddened to see our Relay for Life was just a few weeks ago, however I am going to join another one in our area!
BTW: I’m happy to hear your sister is cancer free.
Thank you Nicole! I’m happy to hear your mom is cancer free as well! It is something truly to celebrate! Best wishes to you and your mom!
Thank you for promoting awareness for the Relay for Life. As a cancer survivor I agree its about celebrating survivorship. Each day is a blessing and treasured gift. Blessings to your sister.
I am glad to hear about your sister beating this. I have a friend now who is going through radiation. She thought she had a spider bite under her eye. It turned out it was cancer behind her eye. They removed it but couldn’t get it all. Now she is doing the radiation because it came back around her eye and so fast. Apparently this is the cancer that can travel anywhere. She is going to loose her eyelashes but could loose her sight in that eye. So scary. One thing we know any of us can be gone tomorrow. We have to enjoy each day and make the best of it. If we believe in heaven that next breath will be wonderful! This is a great cause!
Relay for Life is a terrific way to support cancer research!