National Cancer Survivors Day 2021

Today is National Cancer Survivors Day .

Seven years ago today, I did not know that cancer was growing inside me and that it had already spread to my sternum, pelvis, and spine. I would learn this several weeks later. With this news, my life would turn completely around. I stopped worrying about what parts I would dance and started worrying about whether I would even be able to dance. I am grateful that I was able to dance up until this past April when an improperly administered Faslodex injection caused extreme and lingering sciatic pain. It is gradually improving and I hope to again be able to dance.

During the past 7 years, there were years where my cancer was stable and inactive followed by periods of progression. During the stable periods, there is the constant worry that the cancer will return. After progression, there is the worry that the new treatment may not work. I am currently dealing with a new progression to my liver and continuing activity in my bones and lungs. I will start a new treatment very soon. Please pray that it will be successful and that the side-effects will be tolerable.

Cancer makes one aware of just how precious life, family, and friends are; that small annoyances are not worth fussing over. I am grateful for the support I have received from people near and far; for the many new friends I have made; for people who have come back into my life. I am grateful for my outstanding medical team and for the research scientists who developed the drugs that have kept me alive.

Today I celebrate life along with my fellow cancer survivors and hope that a cure is found for terminal stage 4 breast cancer before it is too late for me and the thousands of women who die every year from this dreadful disease. I want to celebrate many, many more National Cancer Survivor Days. #nationalcancersurvivorsday #breastcancer #metastaticbreastcancer #baldballerina