One Year of Survivorship
September marks one year since I finished treatment for triple negative breast cancer (my surgery, the last step in my treatment, was on 9/11/24)! Wow, what a difference a year makes. And what a year of recovery and rebuilding it's been. Anyone who's been through cancer treatment will tell you that survivorship is an entirely new journey of its own. You've been cleared of cancer, and everyone celebrates with you and goes back to normal living (as they should), while you are left to figure out what just happened and to move forward with a completely new and foreign framework.
I cannot overstate how grateful I am to be cancer-free. I praise the Lord for his faithful care and merciful healing. Every day holds fresh joy just to be alive. When I start to get stressed over silly details, I am quicker to remember what really matters.
I also now deal with a new set of challenges:
Post-chemo and post-menopause brain fog leaves me searching for words more often than not. Even common phrases, familiar names, and terms don’t come easily, leaving me struggling to complete a thought.
Hot flashes are still a regular part of my days and nights. (I’m thankful for my handheld fan that goes with me everywhere!)
Nerve pain lingers at the surgical site a year later. This may or may not go away with time (Both of my surgeons say I am a rare case, as most experience total numbness).
The sides of my tongue burn constantly with varying levels of discomfort (possibly neuropathy, reflux, tension?).
My energy level is not what it was before treatment. I’ve had to readjust my priorities and what I commit my time and energy to.
And every little pain or bump now holds new significance. What I would have just ignored before cancer, I now mention to my care team. This sometimes leads to lab work or new scans to rule out the worst.
Not to mention, the nagging fear of recurrence.
Bottom line—Life after cancer is a whole new ball game. My cancer history will now affect the rest of my life going forward. I don't say this negatively or looking for pity, it's simply a new reality for me. Something I didn't understand fully until I experienced it. It makes sense that the cancer community sticks together, because once it has hit close to home, we recognize what’s at stake and how much we need each other.
Part of my rebuilding this past year has included diet changes. I was a pretty healthy eater before cancer, but now even more so. I’m eating lots of veggies and unprocessed foods and reevaluating what goes into my body—even my hair and skin care products (the Yuka app has been a big help!). I did a couple months of counseling, which helped me sort through some of the emotions of the past 2 years. I participated in the Livestrong program at the YMCA, a 12-week program for cancer survivors that helped me gain strength and ease back into exercise. A recent DEXA scan showed that I am osteopenic (due to medically induced menopause), so weight training is important for my bone density. I even got a weighted vest that I occasionally wear on walks around the neighborhood! I also have my first massage appointment next week at the Asplundh Cancer Pavilion to address general tension and the nerve pain at my surgery site. While I can’t “fool proof” myself against cancer, it has felt good to take care of my body and regain a sense of health and well-being.
October, which is Breast Cancer Awareness Month, holds some fun things. I’m participating in the Unite For Her Annual 5K to give back to this organization that was such a support to me when I needed it most. And Jefferson Health is featuring my story in their marketing campaign. I’ve really enjoyed engaging with their wonderful marketing team over this past month through interviews, photoshoots, and filming to prepare for the launch. I’m glad to highlight the good work they’re doing.
Cancer or not, I still live with my hands and heart open to my loving God who has complete authority and sovereign ownership of my life. I would be fearful to do this if God was a selfish megalomaniac. But the Bible shows a much different picture of who he is—an all-powerful God who humbled himself and sacrificed his life for us on the cross to make a way for us to have relationship with him. On this side of eternity, can I fully understand the tension between a loving God and a painful world? No. But I know his character is good; trustworthy. So I can rest there. Of course, I boldly pray cancer never enters into our family again. But come what may, I will trust him, no matter what. And for today, I say thank you for giving me more life to live!*
To you, our dear community of family and friends—Thank you for continuing to love our family. You are a gift that keeps getting richer through the hills and valleys of life. We love you!
❤️ Sarah
Therefore, since we have been made right in God’s sight by faith [in Jesus], we have peace with God because of what Jesus Christ our Lord has done for us [through his sacrifice on the cross]. Because of our faith, Christ has brought us into this place of undeserved privilege where we now stand, and we confidently and joyfully look forward to sharing God’s glory.
We can rejoice, too, when we run into problems and trials, for we know that they help us develop endurance. And endurance develops strength of character, and character strengthens our confident hope of salvation. And this hope will not lead to disappointment. For we know how dearly God loves us, because he has given us the Holy Spirit to fill our hearts with his love. —Romans 5:1-5 (NLT)
Pictures: Family vacation in Cape May this summer 2025
*(Read here for another reflection on trusting God when we can’t see the full picture).