Happy tears

I have always tried to live consciously and make the most out of days, yet the cancer experience has made me value life immensely, with all its trivialities, with its ups and downs,....and sometimes happy tears flow because of deeply felt gratitude;

for still being around and experiencing another spring;

for seeing our children flourish and develop into caring, loving, responsible young adults;

for being appreciated and loved for the true me;

for having a fulfilling, rewarding job despite the continuing Cancer Fatigue;

for many more, endless reasons that make the here and now so worthwhile living.

It's now 4 years since I was diagnosed with 2 different breast cancers, one in each breast, underwent traumatic bilateral breast amputations and started extensive cancer treatments. Luckily my health continues to be stable and my scars remind me everyday how lucky I am. I have learnt to live well with side effects such as Cancer Fatigue, hot flushes, lower levels of resilience, and the still healing breast & arm area. Accepting the limitations and working around them is key, recognizing that there are so many different ways of living one's life.

My life is different than before the cancer diagnosis, yet I do not want to have it any other way. I cherish these last 4 years as a gift with many great memories, new lessons learnt (acceptance is a big one), deeply gratifying relationships .... and my life is now wonderfully balanced, calmer but not at all boring or unadventurous. I have found piece of mind and that's at the same time liberating and invigorating ....hopefully many more months and years will follow .........knocking on wood ;-) crossing my fingers and toes ;-)