Journey's End

I believe I have, indeed, come to the end of this journey.  I think it's all been said on this blog. For me, the journey is complete.  I received my diagnosis, followed treatment suggestions, had my hair fall out and grow back, and my reconstruction is 99% complete.  All in all, it could have been much worse and I know how blessed I am.  I don't carry the gene which was a concern, so to have that test result come back negative, was a huge relief.  This is not an experience I wish on anyone, but it's one I'm not entirely sorry I had.  I found out a lot about myself and I am still discovering things.   I doubt I will revisit this blog again so I'll try to leave some thoughts.

Cancer is not an automatic death sentence.
If you should be given this diagnosis, breathe....deeply....laughter is okay....I should know.
Visit those doctors that are recommended, write down their treatment options....Get a second opinion.  You have time, use it.  Remember, none of the doctors telling you what you should do, will be taking surgeries, or treatments, with you.  The ultimate decision is yours.  Don't do what you think others will want you to do...trust your gut. 
Ladies...I can't stress it enough......BREAST SELF EXAMS ARE CRUCIAL!!!  Nobody should know your breasts better than you. 
It's okay to let your family in on your fears and struggles...don't try to be super human in their eyes.
Lastly...laugh. Laugh long, hard and often. When I was first diagnosed, a GAP type store was selling t-shirts.  They were selling one that was printed, "Who needs brains when I have these?" Of course referring to breasts.  I so wanted one to wear on the day I was to have surgery..I thought it would be funny and I needed to keep my humor that day. But, thanks to all  women that are so easily offended, and do everything in their power to prevent the rest of us from having a good laugh, they were taken off the shelves before I could get one.  "Hags without humor", I've never let anyone know that's my term for them , now I've said it in a public forum and I don't care.  That's what they were, and are.
I tried to find jokes about chemo online and only found one: How many chemotherapy patients does it take to change a lightbulb?
None, they're all too tired to climb the ladder.  That was the funniest one I could find....sad.

I don't know that I've helped anyone, I don't know if anyone really reads this blog, but as I said in the beginning....this has been more for me.  If you're reading, thanks.
Bye!