My Letterman Post

Let's face it...breast cancer sucks. No matter the stage or treatment protocol--all of the medical appointments, screening tests (mammograms?...ouch! PET scans?...nothing says fun like getting injected with radioactive fluid and keeping your arms scrunched up over your head for an hour!) chemo, radiation, and having to make more decisions (or maybe worse, NO decisions) than one should ever have to about her body--there isn't a whole lot of room for positive thinking.

While I've had to deal with a lot of breast-cancer related crap (being bald isn't really that fun), I've also felt very blessed in many ways. It was actually hard to narrow down the most positive aspects of my experience with breast cancer to a list of ten! And here they are, in no particular order...

10. I got to move to Washington, and into our new home, 8 months sooner than I expected.

9. I only had to spend a summer, instead of a whole year, away from my husband.

8. My job right now is to get better. I get paid my full salary while on medical leave.

7. My medical care is top-notch. My oncologist is amazing. It's all completely free.

6. No expensive trips to the salon or hair products means more money for decorating our new home (and new shoes!)

5. It's amazing how nice people are (specifically military movers), and how quickly they can get things done when they find out I have breast cancer.

4. It takes me considerably less time to get ready in the morning.

3. I get new boobies (and maybe a smaller butt) out of the deal!

2. I've met some wonderful women who have been so generous with their support

1. I'm surrounded by an incredible family who have all made this journey easier for me.