10/06/2023
It’s October, and I just had my 6 week check-in…so be aware.
Be aware that 1 in 8 women are diagnosed with breast cancer every year.
Be aware that breast cancer comes in all shapes and forms, and sometimes not at all.
Be aware that every cancer, diagnosis, treatment, side effect and post are unique to that person.
Be aware that even tho we may look ok on the outside, we are not always ok on the inside.
Be aware that 30% of those women will have a reoccurrence, either local or regional.
Be aware that if regional, you are metastatic, aka stage 4.
Be aware that a cancer diagnosis doesn’t always mean a death sentence.
Be aware that the majority of the time a cancer diagnosis is treatable and curable.
Be aware that science and medicine are a wondrous thing, and without them I wouldn’t be here today.
Be aware that you have rights as a patient.
Be aware that there are no statistics that can properly state the number of women, like me, living with metastatic breast cancer.
Be aware that if diagnosed with metastatic 10 years ago, I’d be given 3-5 years to live.
Be aware that I’ve been living with stage IV, metastatic breast cancer for three years now…and I plan on living to be 92.