Reflections on Eight Years of Survivorship

This week, I celebrated eight years since diagnosis. It brought back a lot of thoughts and feelings. 

BY Dana Stewart

PUBLISHED July 21, 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 week I hit my eight-year cancerversary from the day of my diagnosis. Half the time I can't remember what I did yesterday, but that day I remember vividly, as if, in fact, it was yesterday. I remember what I was wearing, what I was doing and where I was. I am not sure that will ever change. However, the way I feel about that day has toned down a bit over the years. I used to absolutely hate it and even more so, dread it. Now I see it coming and my feelings are much more subdued. That got me thinking as to why that was and more so, reflecting on the last eight years.

A quick recap of my diagnosis: I was diagnosed eight years ago with breast cancer at the age of 32. It was July 13 and for obvious reasons, 13 became a number I dreaded. This year, the anniversary of my diagnosis was the ever-interesting Friday the 13th. I can be a bit superstitious so all the more reason to dread this year's anniversary and even more surprising to me that I didn't. I have a few thoughts and reflections as to why that might be.

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