While celebrating the Fourth of July, perhaps it is time to celebrate our independence from cancer fears as well.
BY DANA STEWART
PUBLISHED JULY 10, 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.
I was thinking about Independence Day this week, and was wondering if or how it can be related to cancer. I am always trying to figure out ways to break the ties that cancer, in its eyes, so lovingly tied around my body. Even eight years after being diagnosed with breast cancer, I still feel the pulls and strains of the disease. My biggest struggles come from fears and anxiety that the cancer will come back. No matter what I do, I can't completely shake the thoughts. I am much better than I used to be, but still not completely rid of those fears.
I often fantasize about what it would be like to never fear cancer again. I wonder what it would be like to walk or run anywhere and not have cancer keep time with me. Unfortunately, everywhere I go, those cancer fears manage to tag along or sneak up on me when I am not looking. I honestly cannot remember how it felt to be me before cancer struck. I can certainly recall not fearing cancer, but that had a different feel back then. Back then, I thought I was invisible and figured cancer would never strike me. After it reared its ugly head, all that changed, obviously.
I often fantasize about what it would be like to never fear cancer again. I wonder what it would be like to walk or run anywhere and not have cancer keep time with me. Unfortunately, everywhere I go, those cancer fears manage to tag along or sneak up on me when I am not looking. I honestly cannot remember how it felt to be me before cancer struck. I can certainly recall not fearing cancer, but that had a different feel back then. Back then, I thought I was invisible and figured cancer would never strike me. After it reared its ugly head, all that changed, obviously.
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