I saw a post this morning on a fellow breast cancer survivor's social media page. She wrote a letter to cancer and I am going to follow her lead, as my final Breast Cancer Awareness blog post. If you haven't read my previous 4 posts that I shared as part of October's breast cancer awareness month, you can go HERE to find them.
Dear Breast Cancer-
When we were first introduced, I was terrified of you. You came into my life uninvited, casting a shadow of fear and uncertainty. Of course, I had heard of you before, but you seemed like something that happened to other people—a distant, faceless nightmare. Then, you became all too real for me, and I found myself in a battle I never imagined I'd have to face.
You tried to weaken my spirit, but instead, you taught me resilience. You made me confront parts of myself I didn’t even know existed, digging deeper than I ever had, to find strength. You tried to tear down my body, but with each scan, each treatment, and each scar, you just made me fight harder. You couldn’t break me!
The road was far from easy. You stripped things I took for granted and filled my days with hospital visits, treatments, and the constant unknown. But through it all, I discovered the power of love, support, and hope. My family, friends, doctors, and nurses became my tribe and my strength.
You also taught me valuable lessons. I learned how strong I am, even on my hardest days, and how adaptable the human spirit can be. I learned to appreciate small moments of joy, to find gratitude in the simplest of things, and to never take a single day for granted. I’ve learned compassion, too—not only for others, but for myself. Through cancer, I found that it’s okay to rest, to ask for help, and to lean on others when I need it. This journey revealed a strength within me that I didn’t know existed, and that strength has changed me in the best ways.
Cancer, you took so much, but I won’t let you take my joy, my peace, or my hope. I am stronger than I was before, and I am choosing to live fully, despite you. Every day I live, I am reminded that I am a survivor. I am here, breathing, laughing, and loving. I know I am not alone in this journey. There are others who are still fighting you, who are scared and uncertain. And to them, I say: keep fighting. You are stronger than you know. Cancer may test us, but it will never define us. Oh, and by the way, fuck you and all of your cancer siblings.
Sincerely,
A Breast Cancer Survivor
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