Tomorrow (May 10th)- three years

[karen z]

since a pretty bad day!!!

[Chelee]

Karen, Congratulations on being 3 years out. That's just fantastic! Here's to you having another 50 plus some ahead of you. Do something special for yourself and celebrate it. :)

Chelee

[karen z]

Chelee,
Thank you so much for your kind words. They mean a lot to me. I will do something special!!
karen z

[Jean]

Karen,
Congratulations on achieving this milestone.
Happy 3rd Cancerversary! Wishing you 3 x3 x3 x3 x3
more of them..

Hugs,
Jean

[karen z]

Thanks so much Jean!! I like the way you wish.......
karen z

[Mary Jo]

Good Morning Karen,

Thanking God this morning for your 3 year cancerversary. What a wonderful milestone.

Love to you....

Mary Jo

[dhealey]

Congrats. on you 3 year mark! You are an inspiration to those of us who haven't made it that far yet. Do something special for yourself. God Bless!

[karen z]

Mary Jo,
Thank you!! It is a good morning- I like it!!
And I am thanking God too.
Love,
karen z

[goops]

Congratulations Karen, do something to celebrate.

[kcherub]

Karen,

Congrats! Have a great day!

Take care,
Krista

[karen z]

Debbie,
Thank you so much. In some ways, the "big" treatment seems like yesterday and, in other ways, it seems like a lifetime ago. Can't quite wrap my head around that one (wonder how common this time warp issue is). I will do something special with my daughter tomorrow!!
Warmest thoughts,
karen z
p.s. I love North Carolina- it is so beautiful there.

[karen z]

goops and Krista,
THANK YOU!!!
Best,
karen z
p.s. Krista, I am in GA too!

[caya]

Hi Karen,

3 years out - Hooray!!! Hooray!!! Hooray!!! I wish you many many more years of NED. Go out and celebrate, eat chocolate.

xo
all the best
caya

[karen z]

Thank you Caya for your wonderful wishes!!
And I am fond of chocolate!
Best,
karen z

[tricia keegan]

Congratulations Karen, what a milestone..I hope you have a celebration planned and I wish you many many more!

[karen z]

Tricia,
Thank you so much. Not quite sure what I want to do yet (would like to be in a beautiful, relaxing place) but will definitely celebrate! Looks like you are right behind me.
Warm wishes,
karen z

[Yorkiegirl]

Karen CONGRATS, on being 3 years out. It is a WONDERFUL feeling for sure.

[Believe51]

I will not be around on the 10th so I send my biggest smile today!!! Thanks for making my day. Please do something special for yourself, you deserve it!!!>>Believe51

[Sheila]

Karen
Truly a more important day than any other!...enjoy it and treasure it...may you be blessed with 100 more to celebrate!!!!!!

[Colleens_Husband]

Karen:

Congratulations! I hope you have 50 more years of safety, tranquility and good health, surrounded by love from friends and family.

Since Colleen is still new to the whole cancer experience, would you be kind enough to answer a question? Does the fear of recurrence ebb with time? If the question brings up bad memories or bad feelings, please forgive my insensitivity.

Lee

[CLTann]

Karen,

It is an important mile marker. After the first 18 month, your are already on the way down in the potential recurrence. At the 36 month mark, I believe you are almost "cured". Congratulation.

[karen z]

To Vicki, Believe51, and Sheila,
THANK YOU for your congratulations, your smiles, and your wishes for good health and 100 more years. Your kind words mean so much to me and help so much.
best,
karen z

[karen z]

Hi Lee,
Thanks so much.
Over time (thus far) it has gotten easier but I get pretty anxious at the time of my mammograms, etc., or breast exams. I am always holding my breath. I honestly do not know if that will ever stop, but I think that the day to day intensity has lessened. One thing I will say is that I have heard many patients/former patients complain that their colleagues and friends get "over" cancer well before the patients do- so that is one thing to keep in mind. I felt like people "out there" started to forget a lot as soon as my hair started coming back (even though I was so exhausted after chemo, was trying to work again [taking long naps every day], and going through radiation). Another example of friends' memories fading quickly is that at the time of my first mammogram two friends offered to go with me. But there were not any offers for subsequent mammograms, even though I was probably as afraid the second and third times as I was the first time. So, things do get better but I think that the "forgetting" slope is steeper for others than for us. And I say this knowing that the level of support can not be expected to remain as high as during the "big" treatments- still, many people don't get the fact that the fear is still there for us.

I hope that helps- I am so wordy.
karen z

[karen z]

Ann,
Thanks- I needed that.
Best,
karen z

[Joan M]

Karen, Congratulations on your 3rd anniversary, and many, many more. Joan

[Joan M]

Karen, Congratulations on your 3rd anniversary, and many, many more! Joan

[karen z]

Joan,
Thank you so much!!
Best,
karen z

[Bill]

Congratulations, Karen! You are inspiring to others. It can be done. And don't worry about being "wordy", Darlin', you've earned the right to be as wordy as you wanna be. You have a great day tomorrow and go out somewhere and act up!

[sassy]

Good Morning and Happy 3 years Karen.

I hope you have a wonderful day....year...50 years...life!

[Mary Anne in TX]

Let's see now...your daughter, chocolate, and a beautiful view! that about raps it up for a great day of celebration! Here's to many, many more great ones!!!!! ma

[karen z]

Thanks Bill,
I will try and act up the best I can!!
karen z

[karen z]

Sassy,
Thanks for your great wishes!
I love your picture.
karen z

[karen z]

Mary Anne,
Yes, you are right- that is all I need for a perfect day.
Thank you so much!
karen z

[Jackie07]

Congratulations on your three years mark. Today is the first day of your 4th year, good reason to go out and celebrate again! It is from the Bible: "eat and drink and be merry":)

[karen z]

Jackie,
Thanks very much- it was a good day.
karen z

[Becky]

Dear Karen

Enjoy, enjoy, enjoy! Buy yourself something great. The gifts get better as the years roll on.

[karen z]

Thanks Becky,
That's a good idea- I'd better go shopping too!!
karen z

[janieR]

I am so happy for you karen.

Enjoy.

Janie

p.s. Chocolate is a great. In england we have a little chocolate called *fredo* and I always have one to celebrate and it isnt too many calories!

[nitewind]

Karen, I'm a little late but still wishing you the best and congratulating you on your three years. It's so great to see these inspiring posts!
Hugs to you

[basset girl]

Congratulations Karen. I am so happy for you. Go out and celebrate.

[karen z]

Janie,
Thank you so much! My daughter and I had a great day visiting the Botanical Gardens here in town and just spent time walking and relaxing in the beautiful environment- and chilled (didn't act up too much Bill!). We actually managed to have a small amount of chocolate too- and that "fredo" sounds like it would have been the perfect treat for us.
Take care.
karen z

[karen z]

nitewind,
Thanks so much for your kind wishes- we had a good day.
Love your picture.
Best,
karen z

[karen z]

basset girl,
Thank you! It felt like a good day and I was not stressed!!
warm wishes from another GA girl (originally Ohio girl),
karen z