The one year anniversary of Cassie’s MBC diagnosis is today, July 13. In some ways, we can’t believe a year has gone by. In other ways, we can’t believe it’s only been a year.
Reflecting on the past year is difficult. We still cry every time we start to think about where we’ve been, what we’ve lost and what is ahead. So we’re keeping this post simple. To mark July 13 and this anniversary (cancerversary) that we wish we didn’t have to acknowledge, here are 13 things we’ve learned over the last year.
13. It’s best to have difficult conversations at a brewery.
12. More than one night apart from each other is too many.
11. MBC is relentless.
10. Slowing down and being intentional about every day is super hard for us.
9. MBC research is underfunded. Less than 10% of all money raised in support of breast cancer research goes toward a cure for metastatic breast cancer.
8. How we see ourselves in the world is changing.
7. Cassie can nap. Really.
6. A good therapist is key.
5. As shitty as this all is, we are so grateful to have good insurance, great care and flexibility with work because so many people don’t.
4. Our support network is deep and wide.
3. We’ve got to be patient with each other.
2. We can be okay and not okay at the same time.
1. Our love is very strong
Thank you Dan and Cassie. I hope sometime we can talk more about these. Sending you all our love, Ann and Chad.