When I was asked to be a godmother as I was going through cancer, I started my journey as a godmother. Seven years later, I am seeing what I wasn't sure I'd live long enough to see.
BY Dana Stewart
PUBLISHED May 14, 2018
Dana Stewart was diagnosed with breast cancer in 2010 at the age of 32. She is the co-founder of a cancer survivorship organization called The Dragonfly Angel Society. She volunteers as an advocate and mentor, focusing on young adults surviving cancer. She enjoys writing about life as a cancer survivor, as well as connecting survivors to the resources, inspirations and stories that have helped her continue to live her best life, available at www.dragonflyangelsociety.com.
This past month, I had the opportunity to see my godson's first communion. It was a special moment for me for multiple reasons. For starters, I can't believe how grown up the little guy is getting. It feels like just yesterday we were celebrating his birth and now, seven years later, we are celebrating his first communion. The other major reason is that I wasn't sure I'd live to see this day. I was diagnosed with breast cancer a month before he was born. I don't have children of my own, so being a part of his life as a godparent is one the most important roles of my life.
As I mentioned, I was diagnosed with breast cancer about a month before my godson was born. I was 32 years old at the time. I was trying to make all the important decisions that need to be made in the blink of an eye. One of those decisions on the breast cancer road is what to do about fertility. Of course, I had no clue this was yet another decision I had to make. I thought my choices were mastectomy or lumpectomy and potentially a choice of chemo or radiation. I didn't realize I had to decide what I wanted to do about my fertility. That decision was surprisingly a lot more painful to me than any other, and one I rarely talk about. It's just too painful. With that being said, the decision I ended up making means I am unable to have children and I will leave it at that. So, a month after my friend gave birth to her second child and approached me with the biggest question someone can ask of another – "Will you be my son's godmother?" – I almost couldn't speak. I was so overwhelmed, honored and let's be honest, a bit scared. However, the answer was easy and with no hesitation I accepted the amazing honor.
As I mentioned, I was diagnosed with breast cancer about a month before my godson was born. I was 32 years old at the time. I was trying to make all the important decisions that need to be made in the blink of an eye. One of those decisions on the breast cancer road is what to do about fertility. Of course, I had no clue this was yet another decision I had to make. I thought my choices were mastectomy or lumpectomy and potentially a choice of chemo or radiation. I didn't realize I had to decide what I wanted to do about my fertility. That decision was surprisingly a lot more painful to me than any other, and one I rarely talk about. It's just too painful. With that being said, the decision I ended up making means I am unable to have children and I will leave it at that. So, a month after my friend gave birth to her second child and approached me with the biggest question someone can ask of another – "Will you be my son's godmother?" – I almost couldn't speak. I was so overwhelmed, honored and let's be honest, a bit scared. However, the answer was easy and with no hesitation I accepted the amazing honor.
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