Anniversaries have always been big with me. The really happy moments are the easiest to celebrate. #TheBigGuy & I celebrate our wedding September 20th (2009), our first date October 25th (2007), and our #MoveInIversary July 2nd (2008).
I also honor the not-so-happy moments with the anniversary of my Mother's death June 18th (1997), and her birthday December 16th (1950). Usually these dates are accompanied by one or two special people who "get it" and fajitas or a really good pizza. As long as I take a breath and raise a glass to the woman who gave me so much and was my best friend, I'm good.
I always love acknowledging the journey. February 13, 1999 I worked my first concierge shift. October 31, 2006 I started working for my current company. My #ConciergeIversary and my #SofitelIversary always make me extra grateful for the special souls who took a chance on me, and the many friends I have been blessed with throughout my career.
March 19, 2010 is my #CancerVersary. A day less than six months from my wedding when I was ringing a guest up for Trolley Tickets and my breast surgeon called and told me it was cancer.
Next month I'm coming up on a new Anniversary. My #MetastatIversary? More of a mini-season, it started on December 8th with a call that my Tumor Marker shot up almost 400 points, a physically painful spin through a PET Scan and Liver Biopsy, ending on my Mom's birthday with the news that my breast cancer had moved to my liver, no cure, yada yada yada.
So how am I doing almost a year later? The good news:
--I'm still able to work full-time, and even got a promotion.
--My treatment seems to be working, and keeping my tumor marker going lower and lower every thirty days.
--I'm still traveling, and #TheBigGuy and I have had some fabulous adventures, and have more planned for 2015.
The not-as-good news:
--Side effects of this treatment are a little rough--joint and muscle pain would be the biggest challenge.
--Exercise helps, but when you wake up in excruciating pain, it's a little hard to hop over to the gym before work. You just have to get through the day, and "Keep your smile on."
--Everything makes me cry, even just a little. I'm not sure if it is the surgically induced menopause or my treatment, but whether I am happy or sad, something is bound to move me and tears will be present.
--I may weigh the same for over a year now, but my stomach, feet and sometimes face are ridiculously swollen.
--I always seem to be tired. It might be my treatment, my job, or a low-level hum of anxiety about my condition (or a mixture of it all), but I have to be extremely judicious with my time and energy--like going up a really steep hill on a quarter tank of gas.
I realize this could be a lot worse, and there is always someone sicker than you, but these are my realities right now.
Some people might think I am traveling too much, or over planning my year, but having fun things to look forward to keeps me grounded and takes my mind off my worries, even for a little bit.
I need to find a way to acknowledge #MetastatIversary Season next month. Any suggestions are welcome.
Stay Warm,
CVZ
