While pregnant with my fourth child, I noticed a lump in my right breast. I was assured by doctors that it nothing but when my daughter was four months old, I had the lump removed. Two days later, at the age of 29, I was diagnosed with breast cancer. I literally started planning my funeral and mentally preparing to start to show my husband how to care for our small children.
I got up the strength to make it to church on that Sunday and left out ready to win the fight against cancer. I had a lumpectomy and radiation and felt the worst was behind me. Later that year, my mother was diagnosed with breast cancer too. Now I'm mad! Cancer is trying to destroy my family!
I breezed through the next couple of years lifeless. I was happy to be alive but I was not living! My weight was all over the place, I was stressed out and pretty much existing through life. I think I was waiting on cancer to hit me again. Well it did! While at my yearly mammogram, the nurse said since this was my eighth year cancer free, I would not get the "special" mammogram anymore. What in the world! Thank God I was still able to get it because through that mammogram they found cancer again, and this time I'm 37!
After consulting with my team of doctors, I decided to have a double mastectomy with reconstruction. This time my fight against cancer was different. I had to sit down and explain to my now older children ages 14,12, 9 and 8 that Mommy has cancer again but is not giving up. They are watching me and how I react to adversity. I constantly tell them to keep pushing and fight like a champion.
Now if I preach this to my babies I have to believe it too right? I learned that I couldn't give cancer the power over my mind like I did before. I used to walk in fear but not anymore. Now I walk in authority over my health and my life! I know it sounds crazy but cancer saved my life I am no longer paralyzed by fear and wondering what could happen. I choose to live and live life full of joy and peace.
I want the world to know that breast cancer is not a death sentence. Breast cancer was the entryway to my best days! You can live and live a good life after cancer. Cancer opened my eyes to a healthier Kristie and more devoted Christian. I will live until I die but I refuse to die while I yet live! I choose life!
Now I want to tell everybody that they can live after cancer. I have been able to travel and tell my story to women that need to hear a little hope. Last year I spoke at a church and told my story of survival. A few months later I saw a lady at a dance recital and she ran up to me and hugged me. I figured she was a fellow survivor and noticed my survivor shirt that I wear pretty often. She began to tell me that she was just diagnosed with cancer and instead of losing her mind, she remembered what I said at that church. She knew that she could survive anything including cancer! That is why I am sharing my story. I want people to know you can live after cancer.
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