Milestones or Anniversaries? by the patient, Heidi
(This is part 6 of a series. You can read the previous part here. New to the series? Start here.)
I’ve been contemplating the choice between these words over the last few days.
Yesterday (2/4) was World Cancer Day.
Today—looking back—is the 6th year since my single lung tumor was discovered and I started a Survivor Journey.
Today—looking forward—will be our 3rd day at Dana Farber Cancer Institute. This time for routine (How is that word even used in cancer care?) blood work, CT scans of my entire short torso, and an MRI of the brain.
Tomorrow—the sun will still come up and we will again be grateful for the day that the Lord has made and that we get to be in it.
On my calendars, 2/5 has the notation of “Anniv #6”. But my view of that has changed over the last seven months.
An anniversary is some event that happens every year, each cycle around the sun. Dependable events, ones that are to be remarked upon or have memories revisited.
February 5th no longer feels like an anniversary of a static event.
Since the recurrence of my cancer seven months ago and the miraculous discovery of the ROS1 RNA fusion, the things that felt like past accomplishments don’t feel just the same. “Cured” was a short step on my Survivor Journey. This is now (and maybe always has been) a dynamic and changeable path, one that we have to follow with Faith with the knowledge that our work and impact here is not yet done.
So, I think the word milestone is more appropriate now as my confidence that anything will be the same 365 days from now as it is today has changed.
Along the way, we will have many more milestones.
Today—looking back—is the 6th milestone of stumbling upon a tumor that we never would have looked for in a never-smoker. And my life was saved.
Today—just now—is the daily Blessing that there are medical miracles, that my cancer has been typed, and that a treatment is available. (Imagine: Heidi taking a gulp of water and swallowing that big Xalkori pill. It's almost as big as my pinky!) The ROS1ders have been a light in our lives to know that I have a rare cancer diagnosis but that we are not alone in it.
Today—looking forward—is the 2nd milestone when the scans will come back looking good and my brain will still be clear of cancer and just full of love and faith and quirky humor.
Tomorrow—we will start packing for another milestone trip to favorite places with our loved ones.
I am supremely grateful and know how blessed that I am to have had each of these last 2,190 days. AND I fully expect to have thousands more!
Thank you for all the Hugs and Prayers - they work!
Heidi
Recent Comments