What a “cancerversary” means
I’m still pushing to get more strength and stamina and have a rhythm of activity and schedule that keeps me focused. The early part of the day is best when energy is good and I’m not distracted by the myriad of other things keeping my head busy. It’s a slow progression but the consistency of movement makes me feel better and the affect is more positive. Weeks when I lose track or get distracted from my rhythm are when the nagging leg cramps or stiff joints return. Both charming reminders of the continued work that is needed.
In a recent physical therapy visit, my PT specialist talked about how it’s important for everyone, women especially, to keep the movement in their bodies and find that exercise or weight bearing activity that will keep you stronger and more flexible. She reminded me we need to think of it as “putting it in the bank. Investing in your body just like we invest in our 401K”. She’s right. If we aren’t putting in the continued effort now, there’s no guarantee that when we’ve gotten older or much more sedentary, or unfortunately if illness of some kind arrives, you need to have “banked” that fitness on some level to counteract the damage.
This isn’t a guarantee—nothing ever is. But one thing that made a huge difference for me when the cancer diagnosis arrived, was that my physical health and nutritional habits were pretty good. The chemo treatments still wasted me, but I knew how to keep going and took very small steps to maintain some level of activity when I could. Once the worst of treatments were over, it was a slow progression, but eventually I made it back to walking distances, then riding my bike, then eventually got back to a yoga class. Those felt like huge measured successes and while it’s been a process of rebuilding, it feels rewarding and triumphant to pedal up that hill or manage to hold a downward dog or plank pose without collapsing.
October 12th was my one year anniversary of the finality of all chemo treatments. The process of my treatments was a total of 28 months. More than some, less than others. I’ll always remember the joy of the last treatment date in the cancer center, being pretty excited and the joy of never having to take the pills and steroids again. I’m pretty sure my pharmacy just had a drop in revenue as a result. 😁
Everyone has their own “end date” that is celebrated. Maybe it’s the day you ring the bell or the day your final tests are taken and you get the all clear. Choose the date and moment that is most meaningful to you and then hold it in your heart. Celebrate that as the biggest challenge and accomplishment of your life. Because it is.
The way forward isn’t easy once you’re done, but it does mark that time in life when you get to move ahead again and try to rebuild what you want your life to be in the days ahead. My best suggestion is to put on your sneakers, take each step with purpose and just keep building that strength. Celebrate your “cancerversary” as the moment when things begin again and when you get to make the choice in how you’ll live your life. That life you are being given the opportunity to live.
