P.S.

I have had several interesting and inspiring conversations as a result of my last post. Some were out of concern for my health. Others were supportive of my message. And others shared their own experiences with the “stages of grief” associated with their journey through hardship.

First, let me assure you that I am healthy. I am six years cancer-free and continue to feel well. My anger just finally caught up with me. I hate that cancer even exists. A longtime friend asked if I hate that I have to live with the fact that my cancer may return. I had not thought of that being part of my anger, but it probably is.

Where there is fear there is also anger. Anger that my husband and I have lost friends and colleagues to cancer. Anger that anyone has to live with the fear that cancer exists; that you may be diagnosed because there is a family history. Anger that once you’ve had a cancer diagnosis you are statistically more likely to have another diagnosis. Fear that the original cancer might come back. And anger that such a thought is even in the back of my mind.

I have written about knowledge and how knowledge can be, and is, powerful. But tied to knowledge is fear and anger. I seek knowledge out of fear and curiosity. Knowledge also feeds fear, and maybe it’s a healthy fear to know the facts of my diagnosis. So, I am going to embrace my anger. I am going to let myself be angry. But I am not going to let anger consume me. I am going to look at my anger and ask, “What can I do?” Well, I can continue to share my knowledge along with the latest news and information. I can work toward finding a cure for all cancer. And I will be there for a friend (or the friend of a friend) in need.

To continue my message of “knowledge is power,” here is a video regarding dense breast tissue and its correlation to breast cancer.

 

 

 

 

Another P.S. – March is colorectal cancer awareness month. If you have a family history or are over the age of 50, get yourself screened.

 

 

 

 

 

If you enjoy my blog and would like to follow me on Facebook, I can be found at The Reluctant Survivor. And on Twitter @relucsurvivor.