Happy, happy birthday to me!

Tomorrow I celebrate my 24th birthday, and also 2 years of my cancer being in remission.  In the midst of all of the chaos that is currently my life, I am still taking the time to step back and appreciate this.  I definitely don't feel like I'm 24 years old--where has time gone? 

I am so thankful to be celebrating another birthday, and to be able to say that I'm still cancer free!  I am blessed in so many ways that I can't even begin to list them. My family, friends, classmates, professors, oncologists, surgeons and therapists played important roles in my journey, and I am so thankful for this.

I have been asked many times over the course of my life, "If you could go back in time and change something about your life, would you?"  I usually didn't know how to respond to this question, because maybe it would be cool to go back and undo bad decisions or bad experiences. I've been thinking about this a lot lately, and now I know how I would answer. 

My response is this, " I wouldn't change any part of my life so far. While things haven't always been perfect, I haven't always made the best decisions and somethings have been unfair, I would say that every experience I have had has taught me some important lessons. I wouldn't even change having cancer. I have gained the ability to be extremely empathetic, to appreciate the small things and to be more flexible.  I have always been optimistic/positive, but I think I have a much greater sense of optimism after having my experience with cancer. All of my life experiences, including having cancer, have shaped me and I am happy with who I am."

So here's to another year of being ALIVE and HEALTHY! :)

Comments

  1. AnonymousMarch 20, 2012 at 9:58 PM

    Congrats on the 2 years and Happy Birthday! It is amazing to hear you are happy with who you are after such a traumatic event. What doesn't kill you makes you stronger, and you are a prime example of such; a true inspiration and role model. Congrats again and hope you have a wonderful birthday!

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