the end... is just the beginning

It's been three weeks since I finished my last treatment. It's hard to believe that it's been 10 months since the day I found the lump... and it has been a whirlwind of events since that day. I am so thankful for everyone who held my hand through every treatment and all my tears and fears. Everyone closest to me was affected by my cancer diagnosis and I've had to continually remind myself that I am not the only victim in this. Everyone had to deal with it in their own way. It wasn't easy for me or anyone else. So, thank you to everyone who not only supported me, but never gave up on me!

"The end... is just the beginning"

I saw this quote just days after my last treatment and it has stuck with me since. It sums up exactly how I feel in just a few words. Yes, I am at the end of my treatment... but that just means I am beginning the rest of my life. If cancer has taught me anything it's how incredibly precious life is. I don't ever want to live with regret and wish I would have done this or that differently. I have this chance at a new beginning and I'm gonna take it. :)

I went to my very first support group meeting last week. I was really looking forward to going until right before I had to leave. I got really nervous and scared. My mind started racing and I began making up excuses of why I shouldn't go... all of which I knew were ridiculous. I was pretty emotional the whole car ride there. I knew I was going to have to talk about my cancer and how it made me feel. I couldn't think of anything worse. The thought of being in a room full of people I didn't know and then to have to talk about my feelings felt like torture. I'm not good with either. The meeting was exactly how I imagined it to be. Everyone sat in a circle, introduced themselves and told their stories. I was overwhelmed with different emotions. I wanted to run out of there as fast as I could, but I also wanted to stay and hear every single word these women had to say. My eyes began to tear hearing the very first woman tell her story. It brought me back to the day I was told I had breast cancer. While it was definitely an emotional night for me, it was one I'm so glad to have had. I left there feeling better than I have in a long time. All these women related to exactly what I am going through and feeling. It was like a breath of fresh air.

XO