Cancerversary

JBBB blogger tweeted me a question: "What does your cancerversary mean to you?"

A "cancerversary" marks the annual recurrence of the date of a survivor's original diagnosis, although it can mark any notable event in someone's cancer journey (such as the date of the completion of treatment, the receipt of a bone or stem cell transplant, and so on).

Anniversaries are uniquely human endeavors that connect us to our past. By commemorating and/or celebrating the annual recurrence of the date of a notable event, we pause to remember this event and reflect on how far we've come -- or not come.

Some anniversaries are joyful, such as my imminent wedding anniversary, when my husband and I will celebrate 30 years of a fabulous marriage. Others are painful, such as September 11th and November 11th (Krystallnacht).

In answer to my friend's question, I remember how my cancerversaries used to feel momentous, partly because my life took such a dramatic change on the day I was diagnosed, but also because of the relief that I made it another year. I'd always know when they were coming up.

For years now, I've been too focused elsewhere to pay attention to my cancerversaries. Being in-and-out of treatment, I've  accumulated quite a few "cancerversaries" -- too many to keep track of, quite frankly.

But since she asked...

Okay, my cancerversary. Hmmm, how do I feel about my cancerversary? Let's see. Oh, I just missed it! It was Friday the 13th. Seriously.

How do I feel?

Lucky.

Comments

[JBBC]

I too feel lucky as you do Wendy. My 5 year cancerversary was a short while ago and I celebrated by doing the ordinary things – a walk, a coffee with a friend, cooking dinner for my husband…for it was the ordinary things I longed to be able to do again when I was ill. It took cancer to teach me the beauty of such ordinary things.

[Wendy S. Harpham, M.D.]

I celebrate your survival. Tonight will post my poem, "The View from Remission."
With hope, Wendy

[Linah]

Hi Wendy,

Thank you for sharing this meaningful "cancerversary" post. I am not sure if you or others who follow your blog know that the National Coalition for Cancer Survivorship (NCCS), which is listed in your resource sidebar, launched a Web site specifically intended for people to share what their cancerversary - and their cancer survivorship - means to them by allowing them to create a personalized Web page that shares their story. Cancerversary.org acknowledges that this type of anniversary is very personal and thus is not always a celebration, but it is always about survivorship. I work at NCCS and have seen a number of your blog posts. Just wanted to share and encourage you and your readers to check it out and create a page! Thanks again for sharing.

[Finn]

Last month I marked my 5-year cancerversary by sending arrangements of 5 pink roses ("gratitude" in the Victorian language of flowers) and thank you notes to my internist and to my gynecologic oncologist, the two women who are the reason I'm alive today.

[Wendy S. Harpham, M.D.]

I can tell you as a physician that to receive a note of thanks from a patient is an honor, and it helps us stay connected to the mission: helping others.

The 5 pink roses are a meaningful touch. Think how beautiful the bouquets will be 20 years from now!

With hope, Wendy

[Andrea Rowe]

This was wonderful. I thought I might be remembering the day so much others think I can't get past it. My first diagnosis was at age 9on October 7, 1986 so this was the 24th. People who haven't been there don't understand how a cancerversary could be celebrated if you were moving on with your life. I have another cancerversary that comes on Feb 28. It will be 3 years since the breast cancer was found. I'm thinking about writing an article about how remembering these days is positivie and therefore therapeutic on my Associated Content account,