Fear of cancer recurrence is a common issues survivors face. The struggle is real to keep it in its proper place. Read how one survivor sees the struggle.
PUBLISHED June 26, 2018
Doris Cardwell received a life-changing diagnosis of inflammatory breast cancer in 2007. While undergoing treatment, she co-founded a mentor program for the cancer center treating her. She also created community events to educate, encourage and empower people regarding cancer. Doris was the first Survivorship Community Outreach Liaison for her local cancer center. She is an advocate, educator and encourager on issues facing cancer survivors. Doris is a wife, mother, empty nester, survivor of life and lover of all things coffee. An avid speaker and blogger, she is available at www.justdoris.com.
As a child, growing up in the south, fireflies were called lightening bugs. I loved going into my grandparents’ yard as dusk fell to catch them in my hands. Sometimes I would place them carefully into a mason jar along with grass and twigs. My Papaw would help me punch holes in the jar lid so they would have air.
As an 11-year cancer survivor, people often tell me I don't have to worry about the cancer coming back. They tell me I have kicked it in the rear, and life is good. While life is good, I am well aware that time is not a surefire indicator that you are finished with cancer. Yes, no doubt the odds of recurrence lessen each year. I had inflammatory breast cancer which is rare, making up about 1 to 5 percent of all breast cancers, according to the American Cancer Society. Having survived a rare cancer, I don't always feel those statistics of lessened recurrence comforting. I was in a slim percentage to start with. I read of people in my support group online who are 20 years out without a recurrence. They are rare, but they are there. I also read of women who are just like me, 10 or 11 years out, who developed a recurrence. Along with this information, I also read stories of women who are struggling each day to live.
As an 11-year cancer survivor, people often tell me I don't have to worry about the cancer coming back. They tell me I have kicked it in the rear, and life is good. While life is good, I am well aware that time is not a surefire indicator that you are finished with cancer. Yes, no doubt the odds of recurrence lessen each year. I had inflammatory breast cancer which is rare, making up about 1 to 5 percent of all breast cancers, according to the American Cancer Society. Having survived a rare cancer, I don't always feel those statistics of lessened recurrence comforting. I was in a slim percentage to start with. I read of people in my support group online who are 20 years out without a recurrence. They are rare, but they are there. I also read of women who are just like me, 10 or 11 years out, who developed a recurrence. Along with this information, I also read stories of women who are struggling each day to live.
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