Carmen's Survival Thoughts

 I found a lump while my mom was going through her second bout with cancer. At the same time her sister was going through Ovarian cancer treatments. My brother had just recently passed from aids, and my grand, and great-grandmother both passed away from cancer. I was resolved that I would die, and began to prepare. I felt grateful to have knowledge beforehand, and was trying not to stress too much. It took me a year before I realized, that I should at least see if there was something to be done. I was diagnosed with stage iiia bilateral carcinoma with 10 positive lymph nodes. I went through the treatments, made an effort to build a solid support system, and made a commitment to my spiritual beliefs. It's been about two years since I finished treatments, and four since I first found the lump. My life is not perfect, but I am definitely happy, and content. Life is full of decisions, and I am much happier with the ones I am making today, because I am more mature and experienced now.