I recently celebrated my tenth year of being in remission. With this, I got to sign the special chair in my doctors office reserved for ten year survivors! On one hand, ten years seemed like forever, and on the other, it seemed like yesterday that I was hearing the diagnosis of breast cancer.
On the day I was told I was in remission, I looked at my oncologist and asked, "now what?" He replied, "now, go live your life."
It took a minute to digest that and realize I had no idea what that meant to me. What I did know was, my life was going to be lived quite differently than my pre cancer life.
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Who was I? Who had I become? What did I want to do with the rest of my life?
And, my new life began to unfold. I always loved making people laugh, I always loved to write, I knew I had to incorporate these two things into my new life that was beginning to take shape.
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I was fifty years old, not quite too old to start over, I'm not sure if there is even an age limit on starting over.
Over the next few months, a few things happened, my boss of many years died, leaving me jobless for the first time in years. Now, I really had to create a new version of myself.
It occurred to me how often I laughed as Make Mine A Double, A Mastectomy That Is, with a lot of humor infused. People needed to know that, even in, not so funny times, that it is okay to find some funny! This is very healing.
It was met with great reviews, and, to this day, it inspires people.
I did some stand up comedy, and, I speak at Relay for Life walks all over the country. I speak at doctor conferences and many other places.
I have designed coloring books for both kids and adults going through cancer with funny sayings in them. Anything to put a smile on someones face, sick or not.
I stand outside of pizza places, ice cream shops, coffee shops, etc. and busk for donations. I use this money and make Santa Sacks, and Easter baskets for sick kids, and donate my coloring books to chemo centers. This brings me so much pleasure. This is the true meaning of, it's the small things! Seeing a smile on a sick kid gives me more pleasure than anything else that I do!
Recently, I got certified as a laughter therapist. A laughter therapist teaches you how to see the funny in the not so funny. I will be incorporating this into speaking engagements, storytelling and workshops. This is so exciting to me because there is no end to the people who can use this type of healing therapy, from sick people to offices, corporations, and the list goes on.
As you can see, I signed the chair, I now look at life from an optimistic point of view even on the days I don't quite feel this way. I am proud of the lady I've become, I love the fact that I make people laugh, inspire them, cheer them on, give them hope, give back, and at the same time, making a big difference in this crazy world.
Don't wait too long to create a new version of you, ten years goes by quickly!
Who are you? Who do you aspire to be?
Go be the best YOU!
p.s.
When given a gift, always give one back!