hoping this is hopeful

[Joy]

Well gang, today marks 6 years since my diagnosis of stage IV breast cancer. It is also the day before my daughter's 12th birthday. I was given a few months to live back then and I have managed to surprise everyone. I feel as though I need to share this with those of you who worry when reading statistics (I still do), but as my best friend says, "We are our own data points". I feel so blessed and grateful to be here and to be planning birthday business with my girl.

That day, 6 years ago, was the worst I have ever experienced in my whole life and I know how familiar it is to so many of you. I had been diagnosed with stage I two years earlier and really thought I was done. I have been through a lot and will go through more I am sure. I feel battered, bruised and scarred sometimes...well because I am, but I do feel good and am very active. I have never been hospitalized and I am very proud of that, especially given some of the treatments I have had.

I pray every day for all of us, for the researchers and MD's who are helping us and scrambling to save us. I pray every day for those we have lost and have shed many tears and even experienced guilt over survival. I don't want to feel that any more. I want to celebrate every day and wish the same for all of you.

At the risk of sounding like I won an Oscar, I have to thank this site and all of you for the encouragement and the fabulous research and information sharing that I feel has saved so many of us. This resource gets me through those dark nights of the soul and makes me feel loved and cared for. That is a gift and one I have taken over and over again. I need you and thank you from the bottom of my heart.

As Bruce Springsteen sang to me in the car today after yet ANOTHER doctor's appointment, "No retreat, baby, no surrender".

[lilyecuadorian]

yes Joy is very hopeful for me ....and congratulations ...you are one of my roll model, with much love,Lily

[schoolteacher]

Joy,

Thank you for the encouraging message. I really needed to hear it today.

Amelia

[Pam P]

Beautifully said, Joy. You stated much of what I also feel. It will be 7 yrs since my initial diagnosis on June 11. (6/13/01 was my mastectomy).

Continued courage, hope, trust and peace for us all.

[hutchibk]

Very hopeful and JOYFUL! Thanks Joy!

[jenniferz]

Happy 6 years anniversary!! Yes, this is hopeful, and it does give me hope!

And, Happy Birthday to your daughter! What a day to celebrate!!

Jennifer

[Mary Anne in TX]

Hey Joy!
Can you hear the cheers coming from Texas?????
Great news. Happy 6 year anniversary! Hope to celebrate many more with you! ma

[chrisy]

Joy, what a great post. encouraging to be sure - along with the bittersweet of living under the shadow and mourning the losses...

and inspiring as always.

Celebrate.

No retreat, baby

No surrender.

You are the best, Joy!

[Patb]

Truly joyful news. Congratulations for six years.
patb

[dhealey]

Another Sprinsteen lover! He got me through my chemo treatments on my ipod. Way to go! Here's to many more beautiful years!

[Faith in Him]

Wow, six years. You're amazing. Here's to many, many more years.

[lexigirl]

Joy,your post does bring hope and joy to many. You are an inspiration and you have gone through this bc ordeal with grace.

Congratulations on your 6th anniversary. I wish you many more happy anniversaries!

Hugs,
Lexi

[NanaKaren]

And the Oscar goes to Joy!! Great news!! And at the risk of sounding like a commercial "you deserve a break today"
All my love, Nana Karen

[Debra]

Joy - Thank you! I needed that today.

[BethC]

Joy,
I was so happy to read your post! Many, many more happy anniversaries and birthdays are in your future!

Love,
Beth

[karen z]

Joy,
Congratulations to you and happy birthday to your daughter!! Thank you for taking the time to write such a beautiful and inspirational post. Warmest wishes,
karen z

[Mary Jo]

Oh......so glad I visited the site tonight so I could see my favorite "joy"ful post. My heart is feeling such "joy" from reading your post.

Happy 6 years to you and Happy 12 years to your daughter. Thanking God for you and your 6 years right now.

Hugs toyou Joy,

Mary Jo

[caya]

Very JOYFUL dear Joy!! Hoping and praying for many many more cancerversaries for you!!

all the best
caya

[Joan M]

Joy, Congratulations on your 6th anniversary! You're an inspiration. It gives me hope and something to look forward to. Best, Joan

[goops]

I am glad that you were your own data point :) Congratulations.

[basset girl]

Joy, wonderful news! 6 years. You have been and are such an inspiration to me. My daughter turns 12 next week. A very hard age for her and me.

[harrie]

Loved reading your thread Joy!! Awesome and what an inspiration for all!! For all you went through you do deserve AT LEAST an oscar!!! Congratulations!
I am so glad you shared your history with us. There are a multitude of others with success stories like yours. But many move on and there is not the need for them to stay connected with sites such as this one.
It is good that you shared this with us. So inspirational...

[Jackie07]

Another cheer from Texas. Thanks for sharing. Such a 'joy' to read it!

[Bill]

Way to go, Joy! You are an inspiration to all of us, and it's always so nice to see that winning smile of yours. Keep on rollin'

[sarah]

congrats!!! music heals the soul! love bruce!
hugs and love
sarah

[Jean]

Dear Joy,
I was so moved by your post.
I could not stop thinking about you and your daughter.
What you have done in between those years since the
stage IV dx.

You certainly know how to live and love, and I wish you ultra many more birthdays to share with your daughter.

Hugs,
Jean

[Bill]

On a side note, I love The Boss's "The Ghost of Tom Jones". (whisper to Joy, nobody else listen, the offer still stands for me to take the next jet out there to help establish some ground rules, if you need it. Also, I've got a mini-me here that I often ship out to take care of my light-work, if it's only a minor adjustment that's needed. Rest easy Sister, Big Brother Bill)