Posted on 05/13/2008 6:14:09 AM PDT by commish
Today is a huge day for me - 9 years CANCER FREE.
On May 13, 1999 I was laying in a hospital bed recovering from cancer surgery to remove my right kidney, uretor and about 1/3 of my bladder. On that day I was given a new lease on life, and I cherish every single day the good lord gives me now.
No matter what you have gone through, no matter how many family members may fight this horrible disease, nothing will ever prepare you for the moment your doctor looks across that desk and utters those three chilling words, "You have cancer". You may think you are strong and are ready, but let me tell you, it feels like a sledge hammer in your gut and like someone has thier hand around your heart, squeezing the life out of you.
I am one of the lucky ones. MY cancer was a Grade 3 tumor (the worst) and I was just extremely lucky it had not metastisized and spread. After the intial shock I asked "well, what is the plan" and the doc told me "Surgery as soon as possible if you want to live until Christmas". The type cancer I had - Transitional Renal Cell Carcinoma - is not treatable, the tumor has to be removed before it spreads or it is a death sentence.
It is truly a silent killer too. I had no idea this tumor was growing inside me. Luckily I jostled the tumor while doing my yearly PT testing for the Air Force, and when I used the bathroom I was staring down at a bowl full of blood. The was no pain, no warning, no illness, nothing.
To think that I was within 6 months of being dead and I did not know it is a very sobering and eye-opening experience. I now thank God for every day I have on this planet, and I cherish every moment with my family and friends. To think of all the things I would have missed makes me truly realize how precious our time here is.
I know a lot of you have fought cancer or have family members fighting cancer or have lost friends and family. I ask all of you to take a step back today, tell those people you love them, look at your scars and thank the lord for thier beauty because that scar means you are still here for your family, and live every day to its fullest. Never give up, never lose hope, and always know that each tomorrow you are given is a wonderful gift. I look at the scar that runs from my spine, across the bottom of my ribcage, around my abdomen and down to my groin every day in the mirror, and I thank the good Lord for that wonderful scar.
I would like to thank all of the Freepers who prayed for me, called me, sent me cards, and visited me in the hospital back in 1999. Your love and friedship meant so much to me back then.
I tried to find the original prayer thread to link it, but could not. I could not get my history to go back that far for some reason.
God has given me a new lease on life, and I plan on taking full advantage of it.
payers of thanks going up. : )
Welcome to the world my friend......so glad you are here
Prayers of thanks
Happy to hear you are doing well
what a beautiful post!
congratulations & may God continue to bless you & yours
Thanking the Good Lord for your success! I had to wipe tears from my eyes as I read your story. I am so happy for you and may you continue to be cancer free! I will remember you in my prayers and may God continue to bless you.
Praise the Lord!
Congratulations, and continued Blessings to you and yours.
God Bless!
Thanks for the wonderful news! The power of prayer can never be overestimated!
Bless you, commish, and may we all heed your words.
live strong day bump
What a wonderful post - God bless you, commish. Thank you for your encouraging and uplifting words....and thanking God for your life too!
Carolyn
Courage! I just celebrated Mother’s Day with my mother, recently diagnosed with stage IV appendix cancer. I live life day to day.
Congratulations! My husband celebrated 10 years last October, he had the same type of cancer you had, his left kidney was removed and his doctor said his recovery was truly a miracle. Then he ended up having an emergency triple bypass last year. Although his torso now looks like Frankenstein’s monster and I am still waiting for this “new man” his doctor told me he would be, I still cherish every day with him. I will pray for a continued clean bill of health for you!
Carolyn
My instructor says that to me everything I go crying into their office about dropping out of school *LOL* OMG... I wouldn’t wish this on anybody. She doesn’t deserve it. I can think of a lot of people I would wish cancer on but in the end I really wouldn’t like ANYONE to have it. I’d prefer to learn life lessons some other way :(
Thank you for counting your blessings for us and reminding us to count ours. God is good.
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