The sun peeked into the window as I crawled out of bed — I always try to catch the gift of a sunrise. I wandered into the bathroom and rubbed the sleep out of my eyes. My shirt was off and I caught the sight of the slightly discolored, yet fading scar on my back. I stopped for a moment and traced it with my finger. Then I looked at my calendar on my phone.
Today’s National Cancer Survivor’s Day.
I paused and then rubbed my scar once again.
Twelve years. One hundred forty six months since I received the call. Over 4,300 days since I heard the three words no one wants to hear: “You have cancer.”
I heard two more stories today about people who had melanoma come back and kill them. My mind is with them right now. And with the gift I’ve been given: A second chance at life.
I know my cancer could come back and quickly kill me. The very real possibility I could have a recurrence is the lens that focuses my thoughts today.
The National Cancer Survivor’s Day should have “Carpe Diem” as a slogan
Seize the day.
I rubbed my scar again.
Seize the day.
I remember when I left the doctors office that day after my visit and ct scan , he told me I would hear from him in 3 or 4 days with the results. The next morning at 11 o clock am the phone rang and when I heard the Doctors voice on the phone I knew it wasn’t good. It was Febuary 20th of this year and I was told that while looking at the tumors on my adrenial glands they spotted cancer on the pancreas.Because of the tumors on the adrenial glands other test had to be done first to be sure I could be put to sleep safely.On April 15th of this year I had over 1/2 of my pancreas and all of my spleen removed to get rid of cancer.This is a road I never thought I would have to go down. Take time to be with the ones you love , doing the things you love, one phone call could change everything.