12 months on

Hi Amanda, I agree whole-heartedly with your words. I too feel happy just to be alive and spending time with my family. All this crap somehow reveals the true meaning of life and love in a way we couldn't comprehend before. I also agree that early breast cancer patients like myself cannot appreciate what it's like to have advanced breast cancer. Even though I've had two separate breast cancers 10 years apart, with all the associated chemo, radiation, surgeries etc, they have not spread and it makes me feel guilty to be so lucky. It seems like such an unfair lottery. I know that one day, I may hear the news that my cancer has returned somewhere else in my body, but I don't know how it would make me feel. I get lots of comfort and encouragement from reading the abc girl's blogs because they prove that where there's life, there is hope. One of my old italian neighbors was chatting to me one day when I was feeling down in the dumps. She said, "Don't die while you're still alive Jane", and it sparked me on to try and enjoy every single day. Your attitude to life inspires me greatly Amanda. I wish you and your family lots of happiness! xx Jane