Everyone Learns Faster on Fire

It's my one year cancerversary! It's been exactly one year since I heard those awful, awful words, "the biopsy came back positive for cancer." What?! Really?! Are you sure?! Though, I can't say I was too surprised. Shocked, yes. Surprised, no. I am my mother's daughter after all, and she prepared me for all of this. But no matter how "prepared" you feel, hearing that you have cancer takes your breath away. It's one of the scariest moments of your life.

I've learned a lot about myself over the past year. I learned that I can handle a lot more than I thought I ever could. Like I have said before, I feel like I've been preparing for this for a long time. My mom taught me how to be strong. She taught me how to fight hard. And she taught me to never give up. When life gets tough, you don't sit around and have a pity party, you do something about it. And that's just what I did.

Yes, it was tough. At some points during my journey I felt quite weak, that maybe I made the wrong decision. But whenever I felt this way, I had my family and friends lifting me up and helping me along. When I was down and needed to vent I had people there to listen. When I felt inspired and badass I had people there to join me in my celebration.

Many things have changed about me, both physically and emotionally, but I am a better person for all of it. Today is my one year cancerversary. Today I celebrate the second chance I have been given.

- J.