Today I Celebrate 10 Years as a Survivor
 

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!

Re: Today I Celebrate 10 Years as a Survivor
 

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.

Re: Today I Celebrate 10 Years as a Survivor
 

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!

Re: Today I Celebrate 10 Years as a Survivor
 

Congratulations Sheila !!!

Re: Today I Celebrate 10 Years as a Survivor
 

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

Re: Today I Celebrate 10 Years as a Survivor
 

Congratulations. You are such an inspiration.

Re: Today I Celebrate 10 Years as a Survivor
 

Sheila,

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

Hope to see you again at SABCS next year!

Joan

Re: Today I Celebrate 10 Years as a Survivor
 

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.

Re: Today I Celebrate 10 Years as a Survivor
 

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

Re: Today I Celebrate 10 Years as a Survivor
 

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!!!!

Re: Today I Celebrate 10 Years as a Survivor
 

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

Re: Today I Celebrate 10 Years as a Survivor
 

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

Re: Today I Celebrate 10 Years as a Survivor
 

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

Re: Today I Celebrate 10 Years as a Survivor
 

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!

Re: Today I Celebrate 10 Years as a Survivor
 

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

Re: Today I Celebrate 10 Years as a Survivor
 

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

Re: Today I Celebrate 10 Years as a Survivor
 

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

Re: Today I Celebrate 10 Years as a Survivor
 

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

Re: Today I Celebrate 10 Years as a Survivor
 

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

Re: Today I Celebrate 10 Years as a Survivor
 

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.

Re: Today I Celebrate 10 Years as a Survivor
 

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

Re: Today I Celebrate 10 Years as a Survivor
 

Re: Today I Celebrate 10 Years as a Survivor
 

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!

Re: Today I Celebrate 10 Years as a Survivor
 

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

Re: Today I Celebrate 10 Years as a Survivor
 

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

Re: Today I Celebrate 10 Years as a Survivor
 

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.

Re: Today I Celebrate 10 Years as a Survivor
 

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

Re: Today I Celebrate 10 Years as a Survivor
 

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

Re: Today I Celebrate 10 Years as a Survivor
 

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

Re: Today I Celebrate 10 Years as a Survivor
 

Congratulations!
Thanks for sharing those 'cool' pictures.

Re: Today I Celebrate 10 Years as a Survivor
 

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

Re: Today I Celebrate 10 Years as a Survivor
 

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

Re: Today I Celebrate 10 Years as a Survivor
 

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

all the best
caya

Re: Today I Celebrate 10 Years as a Survivor
 

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

Re: Today I Celebrate 10 Years as a Survivor
 

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))

Re: Today I Celebrate 10 Years as a Survivor
 

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

Re: Today I Celebrate 10 Years as a Survivor
 

Sheila,

You inspire me so much.

Janie

Re: Today I Celebrate 10 Years as a Survivor
 

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.

Re: Today I Celebrate 10 Years as a Survivor
 

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.

Re: Today I Celebrate 10 Years as a Survivor
 

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

Love to you