This Thanksgiving is special for me as I remember my tenth anniversary of being diagnosed with Central Nervous System Lymphoma. Looking back over the last ten years makes me grateful that I am still here. Facing your mortality and looking at an uncertain future is daunting. Ten years later, I am cancer-free, happy, and grateful for the strength and support that I have as I face the many obstacles that impacted me on many levels.
Here are some things I am grateful for this year:
- I am grateful to my husband, Corky, for standing by me and supporting me in so many ways. He is my rock, and I love him and am so grateful he is in my life.
- I am grateful to my hematologist/Oncologist and the fantastic team of healthcare professionals who treated me at the Sylvester Comprehensive Cancer Center. When I finished treatment, I asked Dr. Lossos; how long will you follow me now that I was done Chemo. He said: We are going to have a very long relationship. Thanks to him – we have had a very long relationship.
- I am grateful for my family, friends, professional colleagues, and all of you who have been with me on my journey. I love you all and am thankful you are in my life.
Today, I am strong and following the mission I committed to as I healed from my journey.
I continue to work with people (patients and caregivers) to educate and empower them as a Nurse Advocate. I am glad when I can help them solve issues and provide peace of mind to them by listening to them so they feel heard in the complex healthcare system.
I am grateful to my colleagues, whom I know I can call on with questions, concerns, or just to talk about what a crazy world we are in.
I am grateful for this platform, which allows me to share my thoughts, expertise, and ideas with you weekly through this blog.
Thank you for reading!
Have a Happy Thanksgiving!
Anne, I am so grateful and honored to know you as a colleague and a friend and I am very much looking forward to meeting you in person this next year!
Anne,
Other than having a platform, as you do to share feelings and guidance, I am thankful for most others you state. Unfortunately, my husband has gone on to his demise but I have 61 years of married memories which I will always have.
As far as my profession, I do miss the client and employer contact; do hear from them occasionally. I am fortunate for those, too many to count over 49 years, whose events and progress they made with my help. I do continue with volunteer work, especially working with special needs persons, this year teaching the group to make bread and increasing their social skills so they can obtain employment.
May you, your family and friends, clients and all whose lives you continue to come in contact with, be well into the coming year with many more to follow.
For all the great things you continue to do, the people you help, and the love you bring, we are glad you beat cancer and are still with us!
Dear Anne, I’m grateful for having you here with me, but most of all, I’m grateful for having you as a friend.
Thank you
Your numerous contributions to the growth of our Patient Advocacy field is to be commended. I often marvel at your energy and innovative ideas and am so grateful for our friendship.