Lovely Day

“When the day that lies ahead of me seems impossible to face. When someone else instead of me always seems to know the way.”– “Lovely Day” by Bill Withers

FIVE YEARS

June 18, 2020 – Today marks the five-year anniversary of my cancer diagnosis.

In some ways, it feels like it happened just a few months ago.But mostly, it feels like I’ve finally put that chapter in the rearview mirror.

In honor of this milestone, I wanted to share a little health update.

I had my ninth clear scan in February. Just one more until I hit that magical tenth clear scan mark. While today officially marks five years since diagnosis—a major milestone in itself—that September scan will truly seal the deal.

"Five years" is a big deal in the cancer world.

I’ll continue getting scans every six months—and if I have any say in it, I’ll keep that schedule for life.

My specific type of cancer (HR+, HER2-) currently has a 100% five-year survival rate when diagnosed at a localized stage.Source: SEER Cancer Statistics

That’s what science, research, awareness and access to healthcare can do. EVERY person should have the healthcare resources that were afforded to me.

The Emotional Work of Surviving

It would’ve been easy to get lost in the emotions that come with survivorship. And honestly, sometimes I did, and still do.

I felt sorry for myself. I got angry—at the treatment, the medications, the ongoing physical and mental side effects.

But at some point, I had to grieve the life I thought I was going to have…and start embracing the life that’s unfolded because of that diagnosis.

Five Years of Living

Because somehow, over these five years, amazing things have happened too:

We moved to a new town and built a house in the woods, started new jobs—twice for me—and bought two Jeeps. We were selected by the cat distribution system 🐾,

watched our oldest graduate high school, and survived middle school with our youngest. Along the way, we took countless work trips and vacations, some with the WVU Marching Band—the group that started our family’s journey so long ago.

It’s frustrating when people say things like:

“They have a cure but are keeping it from people to make money.”

Umm… folks—I was cured of cancer.

What we all hope for is a world where cancer is eradicated. That’s a broader, more complicated conversation that involves access to care, significant environmental change, and an overhaul of the entire healthcare system. And even then - the reality is

We’re not meant to stay on this earth forever.

Coming to terms with the idea of mortality isn't easy and being an adult can sometimes feel impossible. It’s easy to look around and think everyone else has it all figured out—More money. Bigger homes. Perfect health. Flawless hair. Adventures you can’t even imagine.

But as Theodore Roosevelt once said:

“Comparison is the thief of joy.”

So instead, I’ve learned to focus on what I do have. And (most days), the world feels alright with me.

If we can spend our days looking at the ones we love, as fellow West Virginian Bill Withers said:

”“It’s gonna be a Lovely Day.”