Dear Cancer Survivors,
Let me start out by say congratulations on beating the great beast. Cancer does not only affect the one who was diagnosed, but the family of the one who got the most feared diagnosis. When you hear the word “CANCER” it feels like the whole world stops. Your mind fills with a swarm of thoughts of "what ifs" and what is going to happen next.
You took the diagnosis by the horns and you kicked its ass. You went through the chemo and radiation. You lost your hair, became weak and tired all the time, and you have lost all your strength. Your family stood by your side through it all, rooting you on. They could not be more proud of you for not giving up and continuing to fight every step of the way. They were the ones who took you to all your doctors’ appointments because you could not drive yourself. Your loved ones were the ones that took care of you when you were at your weakest point and unable to move. You are forever grateful for them and you do not know what you would have done without them.
No matter how long you have been in remission, you conquered the beast and won. That is all that should matter. No matter how long the fight was or how hard the struggle was, you did it. No matter how scared you were that you were not going to have the strength needed to win the fight. All that matters is that you did it and you came out on the winning side of the fight.
I know how a cancer diagnosis can rock a family’s world. My dad is a two-time cancer survivor. We were not sure if he would even be a first time cancer survivor. My dad had stage 4 Colon Cancer, to most that is a death sentence, but that was not the case for my dad. He kicked its ass in 1997 and was able to watch his six month old baby girl (me) grow up and achieve all he dreamt for her and her two older brothers. After being in remission for thirteen years he was diagnosed with Large B-cell Non-Hodgkin’s Lymphoma, and once again my family’s world was rocked. My dad fought harder than I have ever seen him fight, I am proud to be his daughter. I am grateful that my dad won his fight with cancer. I am also grateful that my Grandmother and Aunt won their fights with Breast Cancer.
No matter the type of cancer diagnosis, always remain forever grateful that the doctors found a cure for you and that you fought the hardest fight you ever had of your life and came out on the winning side. Unfortunately, we all know someone that did not come out on the winning side. Being a cancer survivor holds one of the greatest honors. It is amazing to watch at Relay for Life how everyone claps for the survivors that are in attendance because after all they conquered a battle greater than all of us could imagine.
Once again congratulations on beating cancer’s ASS!
