Celebrating a decade of being cancer-free

When I read about Olivia Newton-John’s death, my heart skipped a beat

Then I said a silent prayer that I’ve been cancer-free for 10 years.

Grease remains my favorite all-time movie. If it’s on TV, you can bet, I’ll watch it if only for a few songs, and I’ll sing along, and I don’t care who hears me. I love Grease, John Travolta and Olivia Newton-John. So, when I heard the news last week that she had lost her fight with breast cancer, I had lots of emotions. I was saddened by her death. But I also took a few minutes to count my blessings. I know too well how it feels to have cancer. How a Serial Denier Survived Breast Cancer.

This summer I celebrated a decade of being cancer-free.

A lot has changed in a decade. I have more wrinkles, gray hair and cellulite. I get less sleep, have less focus and more hot flashes. All three kids are out of the house, even though lots of boxes of their stuff remains. It’s been a decade of change.

I know this, however. Cancer is not the worst thing that has ever happened to me.
I’m still forever grateful that it wasn’t one of my kids.
I’m still in awe of the outpouring of support from friends and family.
In fact, I rarely even think about it, until I read about someone I know or admire that has lost her battle with the horrible disease.

That’s when I remember I still have to fight. Like so many of us, I’m a work-in-progress. It’s an ongoing fight to eat healthy and exercise, two things I know that can help reduce my odds of cancer coming back. I have spent countless hours working on myself and learning grace. I am thankful for my village of friends, family and life coach who help me keep it real as we navigate the ups and downs and curveballs.

Since 2012, I’ve lent an ear and provided support for way too many close friends battling all types of cancer. Similarly, I’ve comforted many friends and family members who have lost loved ones to cancer. I’ve fondly remembered friends and family members who lost their cancer battle.

I painfully sit on the sidelines as my friend and pajama partner, Laura, deeply misses her mother who lost her breast cancer fight nearly 30 years ago. Her mother who would love to have met her four, precious great-grandchildren.

Through CoolRevolution, we’ve donated a portion of our sales to The Pink Fund, we’ve blogged on how breast cancer has touched our lives and begged our customers to get their annual mammogram.

Until there is a cure though, my advice remains the same. Get your mammogram. Exercise. Get your mammogram. Eat leafy greens. Get your mammogram. Limit red meat (that doesn’t mean you can’t treat yourself with a juicy steak ever now and then). Get your mammogram. Don’t be a martyr at work, it’s a job. Get your mammogram. Surround yourself always with good family and friends. Get your mammogram.

My mammogram was July 27. When is yours?