7 Year Survivor - 12/16/22

As I wake up to this day, I am reminded of how life can change in an instant. Dec 16th, 2015 I had those life altering words of “I’m sorry, but you have cancer” spoken to me by my doctor. Today marks 7 years of survival. The day of diagnosis, those words and the 2 years of hell in treatment will always be etched in my mind. When I look back, I honestly don’t know how I got through it all and survived.  There is not a day that I don’t wonder, will the Big C ever come back? It’s a fear us cancer survivors always have. However, I wake up today and I am “Thankful” for life and for each and every day I am given on this planet to be here watching my girls on their life paths, growing old with my hubby, connecting with my family & friends, working, growing a business, making memories and hopefully making some form of impact to those around me. Is life perfect, oh hell no! Through it all, I am Grateful. Don’t take life and people for granted, love deeply, give 200%, have no regrets and live life fully 🙏🙏🙏

Making Strides Against Breast Cancer 10/16/22

 Making Strides Against Breast Cancer 2022 - Concord, NH

This was the 7th walk Team Alton has been a part of and I have to say, for some reason was very emotional.  

As always, these walks help bring awareness and funds to help Breast Cancer research. Team Alton Raised over $2,000 that will go towards cancer research. Thank you to everyone who supported Team Alton - we are so grateful 💗💪💗

6 Year Survivor - 12/16/21

 

Making Strides Against Breast Cancer 10/17/21

Making Strides Against Breast Cancer 2021 - Concord, NH

This was the 6th walk Team Alton has been a part of and I have to say, for some reason was very emotional.  

As always, these walks help bring awareness and funds to help Breast Cancer research. Team Alton Raised over $1,600 that will go towards cancer research. Thank you to everyone who supported Team Alton - we are so grateful 💗💪💗

5 Year Survivor 12/16/20 - Major Milestone

 

Making Strides Against Breast Cancer 10/4/20

 Making Strides Against Breast Cancer - Covid 2020 version

Well, 2020 has been nothing but normal. Regardless, bringing awareness and raising funds to help Breast Cancer research continues! Team Alton Raised over $1,000 towards cancer research and we were happy to still be able to attend a “socially distant drive-in event” instead of the normal walk  due to Covid 19. Thank you to everyone who supported Team Alton - we are so grateful 💗💪💗💪💗

4 Year Survivor - 12/16/19

This is what a 4 year Survivor looks like!

I'm looking pretty darn good, if I can say so myself, LOL!  Well - I mean, I look pretty normal, right?  Who would think, oh yeah - this woman went thru hell and back and fought for her life for 2 years of God awful cancer treatment?  If I didn't know me during that time and met me now, I wouldn't think anything other than she looks.... normal (subject to interpretation of course, heheheheeee)!

When someone says to me, "wow, you are a 4 year survivor, that's great", I smile and say, "yes, yes it is"!  And it IS fantastic, in my heart, I know that!  However, in my mind, little do they know that since Dec 16, 2015, which was the day I was diagnosed, thru all the treatments and current day, I go to bed EVERY NIGHT, feeling my body for any changes I might possibly feel and then I wake up EVERY DAY, wondering, are all the cancer cells really gone & destroyed or is it only a matter of time until I feel something or have some sort of symptom that will lead to the dreaded, your cancer is back conversation?  I know that sounds pessimistic, but it's a reality that everyone I have personally met who has gone thru a similar journey feels regularly.  Those silent thoughts, never go away!  You question everything you do, what you eat, are you stressed, are you doing all the things you can be doing to prevent recurrence and ultimately... are you living life despite those crazy thoughts that refuse to leave your brain?

I do ok, but I can do better.  It's all the things I can't control that I struggle with.  I try, I TRY.... to "let things go" as they say, but honestly, my make-up is that of a planner and worrier.  Having a plan A, B and even a C at all times is how I roll.  One could say that I over analyze things and I definitely do.

So, here is my personal over-analysis. It's quite simple actually.  I have found that "Life is What YOU Make It"!  Life is certainly not perfect and whoever says it is... well, power to them and bless their hearts!!!  For me, life is, well..... it's  "Perfectly Imperfect" and I quite actually prefer it that way!  

With Christmas being 9 days away, I wish everyone a wonderful season filled with peace, joy, happiness, HEALTH and most of all... Love, the greatest of all things!