Forum Discussion
Summer_Prevails
8 years agoMember
How do you handle the big anniversaries?
Hey everyone
Its the first anniversary of my surgery date tomorrow; the fateful day I parted ways with what was left of my tumour, a third of my breast, and about 23 lymph nodes.
I always try to be brave on the anniversary of a scary/sad day but it usually falls apart and is very emotional and teary anyway.
How do you deal with those days that are a significant anniversary to you? Like the last chemo date, or your diagnosis day? How do you process the full year behind them and does it make you cry?
xo
Its the first anniversary of my surgery date tomorrow; the fateful day I parted ways with what was left of my tumour, a third of my breast, and about 23 lymph nodes.
I always try to be brave on the anniversary of a scary/sad day but it usually falls apart and is very emotional and teary anyway.
How do you deal with those days that are a significant anniversary to you? Like the last chemo date, or your diagnosis day? How do you process the full year behind them and does it make you cry?
xo
28 Replies
- kmakmMemberWhen you have done everything you can you do have to believe it will be OK. Sometimes that's incredibly difficult, like maybe this week! But I think it's the best way to move forward. Best of luck on Friday. Plan something nice for the afternoon. Big hug, K xox
- CatPieMemberI have my first mammogram and ultrasound since my diagnosis this Friday. It will be a year since my biospy on 31 May. I have an early appointment and then a lovely weekend planned so I am trying not to think about it. I also believe what you believe @Harlee- I've had the surgery, chemo and radiation and am on Tamoxifen now. I've worked really hard to get past it, so I have to believe it will all be OK.
- onemargieMemberMy second anniversary of being cancer free was May 26th 2018. The day my surgeon ripped my tittie off along with the 3cm fucker of a tumor i had in there. I only remembered a couple weeks ago lol. I was proud of myself too as I actually forgot all sbout it. Its good sign I’m moving on with life after the shit storm that is bc. But I also have other shit going on too at the moment that’s more important. Last year though I remembered, I guess being the first anniversary it was more of a thank fuck I’ve survived moment. It gets easier with time thsts for sure. But I’m definately in for cake if anyone wants to invite me over lol !!! Margie xxx
- HarleeMemberIf I remember an anniversary I celebrate it!
If one goes by and I don't remember then I congratulate myself that my life is much more than breast cancer.
Although I wish the whole breast cancer thing hadn't happened to me - it did.
Right after my diagnosis I saw a psychologist who told me to try to find a positive in everything that happened. I thought that was pretty crap advice at the time but I gave it a go and it actually worked for me. It was just a matter of re-framing things in my mind.
So the day I found that lump was the day I saved my life.
The day my biopsy result came back was the day I knew what I was facing.
The day I had surgery was the day I got rid of that cancer.
Chemo, radiation and now hormone therapy are just more milestones to remember how hard I worked and am still working to make sure I have the best chance possible.
Every mammogram, ultrasound, scan or test is more evidence that I'm still here and still healthy.
These things are all worth celebrating because to me they are good things.
But just like @Brenda5 while I'm on Arimidex I'm lucky if I remember what day it is anyway! - Brenda5MemberOnly anniversary I am interested in is the one when my 5 years are up of hormone therapy and I can have my mind back. :)
- jennyssMemberDear @"Summer Prevails" , I celebrated in a low key way after getting the (currently) all clear at surgeon's appointment following one year on mammogram and ultrasound. Didn't note diagnosis or surgery dates - Think I prefer to let those memories get fuzzy with time; and they already are! When will your one year mammogram and ultrasound come up? Hope all is going well for you. Best wishes from jennyss
- Mighty_MouseMemberHearing you adean.
- adeanMemberOn the 12th july it will be 6 years for me.l just say when it comes around thank goodness its stayed away. I think for me lts always a relief once the yearly mammogram is done.creepy little cancer will always be part of me..
- Mighty_MouseMemberHmm, anniversaries I haven't focused on too much, I suspect that has been a survival response as I was diagnosed just before my birthday and was having to tell my family and friends what was going on. There is no right way, sometimes we need to just have some time to just let the emotions be, they too will pass. It is important to honour what you feel you need for you. Far out, after all each second, minute, hour, day, week, month and year................... is an achievement and perhaps the true celebration comes with trying to live life to the best of your ability with all the ebbs and flows. You are and always will be more that the sum total of your cancer experience. Its been 10 years for me and lets face it it is now part of what makes me, me. However, whenever I get upset by the fact that this has happened to me I remind myself that the fact that I am upset about actually proves that I have survived. Lots of hugs and high fives. You did it!!!!!!!!
- kezmuscMemberI've had one surgery anniversary and yesterday was my 12 months finishing chemo anniversary. My surgery date was Halloween so a bit hard to forget. Both times I raised a glass and said "Thank F***k it's not this time last year!!!!!!!!!!!