Survivors are Strong
Once again, we are in the month of October and the last week of Libran birthdays. As a breast cancer survivor, I have far too much knowledge, experience, change, and trauma taking up real estate in my brain. I’m deeply aware of how important breast cancer awareness month is. It’s brought on advanced research. support, and better care. In my mother’s day, breast cancer was hidden, even shameful and not discussed. Medical care was barbaric and I can only imagine how lonely and scared she felt.
Cancer survivors live with the possibility of reoccurrence hanging over our heads. It’s entirely natural and doctors are aware of this. We can pretend there’s no fear but time passing does help us move on as best we can. I let out a sigh when I reached my 10-year mark in 2022 since diagnosis in July of 2013. Being in the company of other breast cancer survivors can help us feel less alone. When I attended my first breast cancer survivor retreat with a wonderful nonprofit, SMOV — https://sendmeonvacation.org/ for ironically, a mermaid retreat. I had long created the title of my book by then, Caution: Mermaid Crossing, Voyages of a Motherless Daughter. It was the most relaxed I’d felt in five years. It was 2018 with several surgeries behind me and a couple more to go. Surrounded by love and support on my first retreat, I had newfound strength. Creating my workshop for breast cancer survivor retreats has given me purpose.
Send Me On Vacation’s director, Cathy has been supportive of my writing and the workshop I created as many of you know as, “Living and Healing Through Color” It’s given me the chance to travel overseas and meet wonderful women. I strongly urge anyone that’s going through treatment and feeling well enough to travel, as someone in remission, or past treatment needing a respite to look into their retreats, as well as other nonprofit breast cancer organizations that exist throughout the country. The strength and will of women survivors is awe-inspiring.
I, along with millions of other women, are fortunate to be survivors. I don’t take it for granted and carry on with healthy eating and exercise along with keeping up with all my tests to stay healthy and safe. While thinking of Breast Cancer Awareness Month, I encourage all women to be aware whether self-examinations and going in for your annual mammograms, and if you have dense breasts, I suggest an ultrasound as well. There is a higher percentage of younger women getting diagnosed. I started going in for mammograms by the time I was in my thirties because of my genetic history. My mother was young when she was diagnosed and passed away at 37. I learned that the younger your mother, the more pre-disposed the daughter is. I cured myself of cervical cancer in my late 20’s and have followed a healthy, organic lifestyle ever since. But genetic breast cancer did catch up to me and in both breasts, which is a 5% category and known as genetic. Thankfully, it was caught at stag-one because I am a big believer in preventative health care and have never missed my yearly exams. Please keep up with all your annuals.
Be well and let’s hope for Kamala Harris becoming our president and one that women will be able to count on to champion and support our basic rights and health care with all that it entails. Vote!
Keep on swimming through life,
Valerie Anne
