Today I won a battle

Today I won a battle. At least I feel like I did.

I finished radiation therapy, last battle I had in my war against breast cancer. In fact, the last battle against any type of cancer, because I do not want to go through this again. Twice is enough for a lifetime, in fact twice is enough for several lifetimes. I will still have a bit of a rough time recovering from radiation, but that's peanuts compared to all the rest that I've left behind this past year. Yes, because it's been almost a full year (July 1st) since I was diagnosed with breast cancer again.

My Grandfather died 31 years ago, on June 12th, of cancer. I was almost 17 then, I lived with my Grandparents and that was my first and most traumatic enconter with the "Beast", until I had to face it myself. I loved him dearly as I know he loved me. 

Grandpa Barata and Grandma Maria (the survivor)

Granpa Arteiro and Grandma Lourdes

In fact, I lost 3 of my Grandparents to the "Beast". My Grandmother, his wife, survived it. She had breast cancer (twice, too) and she survived to be almost 95. She was a frail though tough woman. I inherited the bad gene from her, I like to think I also inherited her stubborness and strength and will to live. 

Grandma Maria at her 94th birthday

So today I like to believe I defeated the "Beast" for all of them. And for my Mother and my Son and for all the ones I care about.

For them, for myself, for Marjo, for Annette, for Meredith, for all the Women and Men out there who face cancer, whatever shape it takes when it shows up, I won.

It is not stronger than we are! 

xxx


(PS I had to edit this... I was so happy that I even forgot to add a title :-) )