This is probably the first time that I have been truly happy to see a year ending. It’s no secret that 2018 hasn’t been the best year for me although when taking inventory last night, there are many things about 2018 that were very positive. I celebrated 20 years since starting my marketing company; I traveled to Bonaire and took an introductory scuba diving course; my beautiful daughter got engaged; and I traveled to Eygpt; rode a camel through the desert and swam in the Nile. I’d say that was a pretty good list of accomplishments. And though the negative side of the inventory column includes being diagnosed with cancer and having a mastectomy…I survived cancer and that is VERY positive.

Since being diagnosed last April, the year has moved at lightening speed for me, especially since having my surgery in June. Six months went by in a blur of appointments, treatments, needles, medications and trying my best to get through each day the best I could. The expression “you never know what a year may bring” has never hit home more than this year. This time last year, I had no idea how in a few short months my life would change so dramatically. Nothing prepared me for the devastating news that I had cancer and would have to undergo a bilateral mastectomy. No amount of reading or research prepared me for what I would go through physically or emotionally. I am still recovering from that and to be honest, I will probably never fully recover from this experience. My life has been forever changed.

This new year, 2019, will begin with the continuation of my recovery. Next week I see my surgical oncologist for a follow up and I will need to start making appointments with all my treating physicians in order to gather records and reports to challenge my insurance company on their decision to deny me any compensation for the time spent recovering. I am patiently waiting…well maybe not “patiently” for my surgery date to have the tissue expanders removed and the implants put in. I am hoping the surgery will be sometime late February or early March but there is no guarantee it will happen that quickly. Until then, its business as usual. I have fingers crossed that by April I will have completed the “switch out” and I can put this whole experience behind me. From diagnosis April 2018 to hopefully final surgery April 2019, I am banking on one full year.  A year of ups and downs. A year that will not soon be forgotten. Was 2018 my best year? Certainly not, but it sure as hell could have been a whole lot worse. Thanks to my doctors and the decision to have have both my breasts removed, I am cancer free and that is worth celebrating be it New Year’s eve or otherwise. I am ever hopeful that 2019 will be another year to remember as this year I plan on closing the chapter on my cancer journey. Good bye 2018 and hello 2019. Looking forward to celebrating this coming year’s events even more. Happy New Year everyone. Celebrate all you have and may 2019 be a positive one for us all.

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