I AM.....

October is Breast Cancer Awareness Month. I have been thinking a lot about what my responsibility is for this. In trying to figure out what to write I went back and read my blog and at times thought I was reading about someone else. It seems surreal to say I AM A BREAST CANCER SURVIVOR.

And as I think of Breast Cancer Awareness I think a lot about my journey and how I got to survivor. I wanted to say I AM LUCKY. But that just didn't seem to fit. Luck maybe had a small part of it, but I AM PROUD of the fact it was more about ME scheduling a mammogram and ME, who pursued answers to my questions.

I AM FORTUNATE that we caught it early. That was the key. Yes, I have had a double mastectomy and three surgeries, with a fourth to go. But it could have been worse, much worse. Because we caught it early, I am fortunate I did not have to go through chemo or radiation. I am fortunate it did not have the time to spread.

I AM STILL in the middle of reconstruction. I have had 3 major surgeries with another November 12th. Yet, I have moved on in so many ways past breast cancer. That's the way it should be. Life is about living! And believe me I am now on a diet to get rid of all the extra living I did this summer!

I AM CANCER FREE! I go in every six months to make sure this stays that way. It used to mess with me pretty bad with worry but it's getting better as time goes on.

I AM GRATEFUL that I have this second chance to realize what is important in my life. I now don't take for granted this life and everyone around me. I sometimes feel an overwhelming sense of emotion when I wake up, sit in my porch with my cup of coffee and watch the sunrise. I AM HAPPY!

And no, I AM NOT SOME CRAZY LADY skipping through life without a care in the world. No, I have my bad days but now I have the sense to kick myself in the ass to snap out of it.

So, for breast cancer awareness month I AM ASKING that everyone make sure to schedule your mammograms and follow through. No one is going to do this for you. It's crazy to think on average one in eight women will get it. It's too many and it breaks my heart to hear all of the stories.

And Lastly I AM PRAYING that in my lifetime we will find a cure for breast cancer and all other cancers out there.