3 Year Mark!

It's my three year cancerversary. This day is bittersweet. I remember back to September 1st of 2007, when I officially called myself cancer-free. It was a Saturday, still pretty hot out. I had just finished my radiation treatment the day before. It sort of felt like your last day of college- you feel like you should be more excited to be done, but you don't actually feel different. I couldn't actually believe that it was all over. I was too scared to tell myself it was done. I figured when Monday rolled around, Dr. Siv would call me back and tell me the tumors hadn't shrunk, and he'd like to do just a "couple" more rounds of chemo....

But Monday came, and he didn't. It was done. I started to feel better...physically. No more metallic taste, I didn't feel like I was going to vomit (constantly). The sunburn-like effect started to disappear from my chest and neck. My hair was not falling out. It was starting to feel amazing- but I was still absolutely terrified. I immediately thought I was crazy, so immediately found the number of a psychologist who I could talk to about my constant fear of being sick again. Ironically, she was also a cancer survivor, so she really helped......a lot. But time seemed to pass, and 3 years later here I am. I just had my blood work, PET & CT Scans done last month....I was a nervous wreck, but happy to say I'm still CANCER-FREE!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

So tonight I'm sitting here realizing how lucky I am, and that perhaps my cancer was a gift. I know it sounds crazy, because when I had first said it out loud, I was like helllllll no it wasn't....but I think it was. It was not fun, but going through all of that really made me grow up. I learned some of life's most important lessons in the young age of 23. I never used to think it was fair, but now that I look back I wouldn't change a thing. Also- I cannot even tell you how incomplete my life would be without my "cancer-sisters". They are the amazing women who serve on the Alumni Leadership committee with me: Erin, Amelia, Hailey, & Melanie. Also, Sam, who STARTED the SAMFund, and Michelle, my honorary cancer sister :) I met these women through the SAMFund, and you would all be blown away by their stories. They're people that will be in my life forever. When I'm feeling down, scared, or freaked out that I feel a tumor in my neck, I can call them. They can relate to everything I feel. They are my support system. When I get scared, I think about what each and every one of them has been through and realize that I am so blessed. If I had never had cancer, I would never have gotten to know these people.

I would not be ok with that. They mean too much to me. I wouldn't go back and change any occurrences in my life, even if a magic genie granted me the power to. They are simply that important.

So, I just had to get on here and give them a shout-out. I tell them this way too much, but they are such inspiration to me. As I celebrate my own cancerversary, I thank God that my cancer-sisters are also celebrating their health, and just recently passed & upcoming cancerversaries.

I've been through hell and back, but each year when this day comes along I tell myself it was worth it. I would never give up what I have now because of it.

Kate
xoxo

I'm taking the Oprah Pledge....

I was driving to work this morning and almost got side-swiped by this horrid driver. I was on Lakeshore Drive, near Randolph and had to swerve into the next lane over because this crazy woman almost hit me. I looked over and her eyes and BOTH hands were glued to her cell phone. She was texting, and almost hit me. I decided right then and there to take the Oprah Pledge, and NEVER use my cell phone while driving. Although, besides this morning's incident, I was also slightly inspired to do the pledge because of an embarrassing incident earlier this week.

Long story...

Catherine Anne is my best friend Julie's aunt....but I've known her my whole life basically, and she's like family to me! I got this crazy email the other day and thought it was a joke. I called Julie to confirm, and she said it was true. Soo...Catherine Anne is a huge Oprah fan, and happened to be browsing on O's website the other day. She saw something on there about 2011 brides, and decided to send the Oprah show my info since I will soon be a 2011 bride....I couldn't believe it, but they wanted to talk to me! So, now we're back to earlier this week. Monday morning to be precise. I'm driving to work talking to my friend Jen. I see on the other line that the OPRAH show is calling me and immediately tell Jen I must go. I pick up. The woman was so nice, but the first thing she asked me was "are you driving right now?". I said yes, but I'm using my hands-free set :) (implied smiley). I guess all O employees take her pledge, and in that pledge you also cannot talk to someone else if they're driving- it will help prevent accidents people! She was so nice, and told me we could chat later. Well...I was too excited, so I told her I'd pull over. I pull into the Whole Foods parking lot and shut off my car. We chatted for about 15 minutes or so. She had heard a little bit about me...but wanted to hear more. She was asking about Chris & I, and our struggles. I told her how we met...we're almost-high-school sweethearts. I told her about how amazing he is. I was telling her about all the special things he's done for me, especially while I was going through treatment for about a year. She asked about my sledding accident + diagnosis. I explained everything and told her how much stronger your relationships become when tragedy hits. My trauma and sickness had really brought Chris and I closer. It was a huge struggle, but I wouldn't of gotten through it without him (and my fam and friends of course!). I told her how he shaved his head when I had to shave mine, the surprise wig party he helped throw for me, and about our special celebratory trip to San Diego. I told her when we got engaged, and told her why we waited almost a decade to do it. She had also asked what kind of planning we had done, which embarrassingly I told her, really none. I'm too busy/too broke to plan a wedding....ehh. Anyway, that was that! It was pretty neat though...she is going to enter the information in her database and will contact me if the criteria matches! Have to say thanks for Chris for being so amazing. My little stint on here only highlights his awesomeness as a fiance. But really, he's my soul mate- and could not imagine my life without him being a part of it!

So....

I just wanted to share this little story....I felt so lucky to have been contacted by the Oprah Show!! Big shout out thanks to Catherine Anne!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! This doesn't usually happen to everyday normal people like me....

We had to send a photo also....we tried to find a cute one...




So, now because of my embarrassing phone while driving run in with the O show (which by the way, the woman was soo sweet and understandable) and almost being hit...I am now pledging not to use my cell phone in the car....not at all... :) and you all should too.....

xoxo

ps. maybe I should email the O show this this blog post? ;)