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".