National Cancer Survivor Day

Sunday was National Cancer Survivor Day. The cancer center in Ottumwa had a big party for all the survivors which I attended with my grandparents. If you know me at all, then you know just how much these two people mean to me. So I was very honored to share in the celebration of my Gramsy's success in beating cancer. They talked a lot about the emotional aspect of cancer and what the person may be feeling. My Gramsy has always taken care of everyone else and she dealt with her cancer in the same way. You never knew she was in pain, tired, sick, hurting or scared. If you walked in the door to her house she was up and trying to feed you. But this party brought a hard reality to my Grandpa. He realized just how lucky he was to have her and what she went through. He weeped the entire way through the ceremony. It was heartbreaking to watch but also amazing because two people who have been married for almost 60 years probably forget how much they depend on and love the other. As the tears fell down his face, Gramsy just patted his hand to let him know she was okay.

I was so amazed at how great the staff was. Gramsy loved her nurses. She still speaks of them often and she was sure that her favorite nurse wouldn't remember her. But she did and came over to give her a big hug. It made her whole day.

One of my good friends was just recently diagnosed with aggressive breast cancer. She will find out today the extent of her options and will be faced with some hard decisions. But, she is a fighter and I am her cheerleader. I even rsvp'd her for the survivor party next year! So when she reads this....remember this: There are 12 MILLION cancer survivors in the United States today. Cancer is just a word, not a sentence. And, you are not alone!