Today I Celebrate 10 Years as a Survivor

[Sheila]

Today I celebrate 10 years from the day I was told I had Cancer....9 of those years have been as stage IV and on continual treatment. But I am here to say, there is life after a diagnosis and even during cancer treatment..... there is hope!

I received an onslaught of cards today in the mail (although none were from NED), and one had a verse that truly touched me...

Cancer is a Villain, who doesn't play fair...
But it Can't dim your spirit and it Can't silence prayer ...

And if any of you are wondering how I spent my day of celebration....I am sharing these photos of me.....day 2 of Tomo radiation as I continue to live & survive this journey..Thank you to all who have helped me with wisdom, encouragement, love support and prayers along the way ...I truly couldnt have done it without you~~~ I have been blessed!

[StephN]

Enjoy your 10 year mark day. It sure came FAST, didn't it?
You mean to say we have known each other almost that long?!

Now lie still and let the machine do all the work.

I love this approach for you and so happy they have decided to try to get rid of that node instead of using it to "measure treatment effectiveness." Enough of that.

[BonnieR]

That had quite an impact on me. Your message is one of such hope and possibility. Thank you for sharing it
Does anybody give awards for "Most Unusual Way To Spend a Birthday"? You would win, hands down! I hope there is chocolate cake at the end of that tube!
Keep the faith!

[tricia keegan]

Congratulations Sheila !!!

[Paty]

Sheila,

You will be celebrating many more years!! You are an inspiration for all the ones that know you. Congratulations! Send you a big big hug.

Paty

[mschwab]

Congratulations. You are such an inspiration.

[Joan M]

Sheila,

Congratulations on your 10-year anniversary!! Your neck node's days are numbered.

Hope to see you again at SABCS next year!

Joan

[ElaineM]

Wow Sheila !! Congratulations !!!!!!!!!!! You go girl !!
You are proof that a stage 4 diagnosis is not the end of the line. Keep going for many, many more years.
Thanks for "showing us" what Tomo radiation is.
I always wondered.
Do something special after your treatment to celebrate your anniversary.

[Patb]

WOW, there really are no words to say to express
all the time, treatments, scans and many other things
you have been through. You are an inspiration to so
many others and have blazed a path of understanding
and hope for so many others. Just think if you had
started a blog on day one, you would have a book that
would be hard to lift but you have carried it all the way.
Congratulations.
patb

[Kmswilson]

Fantastic! You give me such hope that I will be around for years to come to see my kiddos grow! Congratulations on ten years! You are amazing!!!!

[Bunty]

Congratulations Sheila, you are an inspiration! Wishing you many many more anniversary celebrations, but perhaps celebrating in more conventional ways!
Cheers Marie

[Mary Jo]

Words cannot express how happy I am for you. I will try though. Searching for the right words, this is what comes to mind.....PRAISE GOD FROM WHOM ALL BLESSINGS FLOW!

Love to you "sister!"

Mary Jo

[valleygirl]

Congradulations!!!!! you give us all hope!!!!

[Vicky]

You give me such hope and courage to keep walking forward in faith and the belief that I can continue to do this too! Congratulations to you for your perseverance and grace and indomitable spirit!

[Joanna J]

You are AMAZING.....I always read your posts....Thx For Posting.

[dchips1]

Shelia congrats on your 10 year mark!!! You have as others said, been there for everyone else, been an inspiration, and a true Warrior.

Darita

[karen z]

Many congrats Sheila. Those are some B-Day pics ! ! ! ! ! You are going to start a trend ! ! !

[chrisy]

Sheila,
Congratulations my friend! And may I say, you really know how to pick out the party clothes!

Thanks for sharing your message of hope, and that little verse.

Carry on H2B

[Mary Anne in TX]

Sheila, your courage and peace have so helped me to stay in the moment more often. To enjoy the ones I love and to take days more slowly. I'm so glad you are celebrating your 10th and look forward to cheering with you year after year to come. ma

[sassy]

Congratulations Sheila!

You have always been and continue to be a inspiration to me and so many others here.

Your light shines hope for us all.

[Pray]

Gods blessings to you on your 10th Anniversary Sheila !!!!!!!!!!!!!! My Wonderful friend with the Calm Loving Spirit!!!

[PinkGirl]

You party animal ... can you keep that mesh looking stuff when
the treatments are over? I think you can use it to line your shelves ...
You know we all love you, right SheilaGirl!!!!

[NEDenise]

Sheila,
Congratulations!!!
I know I'm not the first to say this...and will definitely not be the last...but...
YOU ARE A TREASURE!
Your spirit!
Your joy in living!
Your concern for others!

God bless you!
May you have many, many, many more anniversaries for us to celebrate with you!

I'm sending a shower of love and prayers your way!
Denise

PS - LOVE the new avatar photo!

[ammebarb]

Congratulations, Sheila! And here's to zapping that neck node but good!

[Emelie B]

Congratulations Lady!
You are one special person who raises our spirits and hopes no matter what.
Here's to many, many more years!
Emelie

[Barbara H.]

Wow, Sheila!!! Thank you for posting and sharing. You are an inspiration to all of us, and especially the newly diagnosed who need hope. I remember when I progressed after 6 years to stage 4 two months before my daughter's wedding in 2004. Scans indicated that it was everywhere including a 3cm tumor in my brain. My husband asked my oncologist privately on the phone how long I had. He said, "I can give her years." I know that you can imagine how much that meant to me at the time. Well, I am still here. Wishing you another ten + years, hopefully reaching NED. I will be thinking of your over the next few weeks as you endure those road trips and your radiation. You are truly amazing.
"Happy Birthday!!!"
Barbara H.

[lkc Gumby]

Congratulations on your mega anniversary Sheila!
I come here infrequently, but am always amazed at your incredible spirit.
You rock!
God Bless.

[bejuce]

Sheila, you're truly a force of nature. Thank you for being here and sharing your amazing story of hope to all of us. And here's to the next 30!

Love,

Marcia

[Ceesun]

Ceesun to Sheila, Congrats, best wishes, and prayers. I feel honored to "know" you thru this website. Cathy

[Jackie07]

Congratulations!
Thanks for sharing those 'cool' pictures.

[Jean]

Dear Shelia,
One Word for you.....
"AMAZING"
You are one amazing lady.
Big congratulations.
Love, hugs, and kisses.
Jean

[Laurel]

Love you, Kiddo! Let's just see you through another decade of surviving! You're our hero in residence!

[caya]

Happy "10th" Sheila dear!!
You go girl - you are truly an inspiration to us all!!

all the best
caya

[nsebesta]

God Bless you, Shelia. thank you for all the hope you've given to so many of us. You are one of my heros!

[KsGal]

Congratulations on 10 years, and many more to come. You truly are an inspiration for women like me who are newly stage IV and at the beginning of this journey. When I came to this site, I literally thought I needed to start planning my funeral, and it is women like you and posts like this one that have given me hope and courage to keep on going and know that there can be a different outcome. Thank you for all that you have done and continue to do...you really do make a difference in people's lives. ((hugs))

[lexigirl]

Sheila, I am so inspired by you. You are so strong and beautiful. You take your txs in stride and head on. You are a remarkable woman.

Hugs and Prayers,
Lexi

[janieR]

Sheila,

You inspire me so much.

Janie

[Nana2three]

Thanks for sharing. You are an inspirational group and I find so much to help me find peace as I join this group. I just joined Jan. 2012. In 10 years I expect to be here inspiring those that are grasping to face the recovery they will be having. I'm just 2 months in, 1 herceptin treatment, starting the arimidex, and accepting that the herceptin will work alone since by MS cancels out the chemo. Brave, courageous, strong women seek out one another. I appreciate each one of you.

[rinaina]

You keep going girl! Here's to many more increments of 10. You have been an inspiration to so many and what a great example of perciverence.

[Becky]

Phenomenal and inspirational = Sheila. We see your face when we look those words up in the dictionary.

Love to you

[Mtngrl]

Dear Sheila,

I love everyone in this community, but I have a special place in my heart for you and for the others who have lived with Stage IV so long. I have to admit that part of that is selfish--if you can do it then so can I. But I do admire your resolve and your warmth. You are a light for our paths.

Congratulations on your anniversary.

All the best,

[Elizabethtx]

Go, Sheila, go! Keep on blazing those trials and may this treatment be the one you need! God bless you, hugs!

[Mtngrl]

Another reason I'm grateful for you is the trailblazing. I asked about maybe doing radiation on my original tumor and they said no. Seems like it might be an option. . . .

[DianneS]

Congrats, Sheila!! That's wonderful! You go, girl :)

Diannes

[CoolBreeze]

Sheila, congratulations, and here's to the next ten:

http://4.bp.blogspot.com/--CTAeG5q6XM/TtKvs91VUGI/AAAAAAAAC_Y/2XuT3iHR8pw/s1600/Champagne-Gala-09-550x381.png

[MCS]

Sheila,
I am so glad that I came in the site today and saw your post. You have been so kind to me many times over.
I wish you 10 and 20 more
xoxo
Maria

[Sheila]

Todaynis #10 on the radiation treatments....still driving daily, but the afternoon is nap time...don't see a lot of shrinkage yet, but the pain is less, so that must mean it is working...thankmyounall for the support and encouragment.....it gets me through each day....don't think Imwill even get used to the mask, but it may not be as stressful at the drive each day with all the Chicago traffic!

[Debbie L.]

>>Today is #10 on the radiation treatments.

Ten is the theme, huh? I wish you didn't have to deal with traffic on top of everything else. I think you're right -- the drudgery of all that travel (especially when you're driving yourself) is fatiguing in itself. I hope the naps continue to be enough to get you thru.

It seems like less pain is a good sign. Since it's such a long course of rads, I'm thinking they are not yet expecting a big response? How does the driving affect the pain?

What are you going to do for your "days off"? Sorry for so many questions. Thinking of you, and sending good thoughts.

Love,
Debbie Laxague

[Myra Lynn]

WOW, Sheila! Does that cancer know who it's up against? I think it might as well just give up now. Given this long and bumpy road, I am so fortunate to be going it with the likes of you. Here's to many more years and a lot of good times along the way.