** DAM Cancer **

I've been on this journey now for almost 4 years.  I feel that I'm to a point that I can put it in perspective and really start to talk about it.  If you know me, you know that I have NO problem talking, but getting those really deep feelings out and being honest when I have a bad day is hard. 
I hope that I can inspire just one person .... that I can help just one person .... that I can maybe ease the mind of just one person. Then, I'll feel like I've done something for the good. 
Breast cancer (all cancer) is scary.  I don't care if it's stage 0 (DCIS) or stage 4 (invasive).  It's all scary! NO one wants to deal with it ... no one wants to risk dying early from something so mean.... no one wants their daily life interrupted ... no one wants to go thru the crap that you have to go thru .... no one wants to see a family member deal with sadness, loss, inconvenience that comes with cancer and treatment and doctor's appointments and surgery and I could go on and on. 
The sad fact is, once that diagnosis is there.... so is all of the inconvenient crap! 
I am so lucky to have the family that I do .... the friends who love me ... and all of the people who supported me thru this. 
My mom, the strongest woman I know.  2 time survivor .... no, it wasn't hereditary in my case -- BRACA Negative.  She taught me so much thru the years and she doesn't even realize it. 
My husband ... he didn't say "I DO" to cancer the last 3 1/2 years of hell that it's put him thru.  But, he's a trooper and has been AMAZING!
My girls, poor things ... stop asking me if you're going to get cancer, too! I hate that feeling of being helpless! I don't know .... I will never tell you that, I always answer with "I hope not" It's sad that at 13 and 4, my kids are thinking about cancer.  I was thinking about candy and toys and bikes and ..... certainly NOT cancer!!!!! 
My bestie, Abbie ..... I can't even begin to think about what I would do without her.  There is nothing I can say other than THANK YOU!!! You are incredible !!!!! Nurse, chef, child care provider, taxi ... and so much more !!!!! Love you! 
My other bestie, Marlene ..... you're always there to laugh and make me smile and keep me up.  You are the best "other wife" ever!!!! I don't ever want to know what it's like without you in my life! 
I could go on and on .... In a nut shell.... I'm the luckiest and most grateful woman alive today!
And, I'm alive because I kicked cancer's ASS !!!!!!!!!!