Last Friday

Last Friday, April 12, marked 15 years since the day I found the lump in my left breast. So how did I celebrate? I went to my surgical oncologists office and had a mammogram and an ultrasound. Everything is fine. This was just the yearly follow up. I didn’t plan to have it on my 15th cancerversary. That was the date that was offered when I made the appointment. It did creep me out just a bit. A little too much Deja vu going on.

I told them that this would be the last visit as I am going to Washington state. They are sending my records there to me. I wish every doctor would make it so easy. Every office has their own way of dealing with records.

While I was there I noticed two sisters come in and sit down. They seemed very familiar to me. Later on I figured out that they were friends of my ex-husband and I. I lost track of them after the divorce. Turns out that they both have had breast cancer. I stayed and talked to them for a while after my appointment ended.

By the time that I got out of the office I was starving so I went to a Mexican restaurant that for some reason I had the impression wasn’t all that good. But they had my favorite dish and it was wonderful. I thought about getting a Margarita to celebrate, but the trip home was about 20 miles. I didn’t want to risk getting pulled over and have alcohol on my breath. Instead I bought a bottle of wine on the way home and shared it with Beverly and Neil.

Unfortunately I can’t claim a cure after 15 years. Breast cancer can return even decades after it goes into remission. But honestly, I didn’t expect to still be alive to claim 15 years. I will take that and be glad for it.