WE have cancer, it’s not just me going through this

When I was first diagnosed with cancer, I took a day to myself to understand what this meant to me. I sat by the water, cried in my jeep, and asked God for guidance and strength. I was about to embark on the fight for my life. I knew my body was going to take a toll, and my mental state was going to be rocked from day to day. What I did not realize is I was not fighting alone.

Sure. My body is the only one undergoing the treatment and unless you have waged this war before, you do not fully understand what I am going through. BUT, I do not fully understand what my friends and family are going through either. They are fighting this fight with me, and we all, now, have cancer.

My husband, Sam, is my rock. My beacon of brightness on my darkest days, but often, I need to remember to stop and ask how he is doing. Because, I am a lot to handle with mood swings, constant pain, and overall tiredness. It’s not easy to be my sunshine, while processing what is happening to your soulmate. Most people often forget to ask my husband what he needs help with. Everyone only asks me. No one is stopping to shower Sam with love or food, just me. He is going through this as well. Unless you picked the sand apart from our wedding ceremony, we have cancer.

My mother is fighting alongside me while mourning my father, her soulmate. The person who knows her and has loved her for most of her life. She is fighting for her daughter now, being a constant place for me to turn too when everything just feels too real.

My friends & family, near and far, sending love and support no matter what they have going on. They are fighting to not lose a friend, a cousin, a sister, a person they care about. To not lose a part of themselves while they are at it.

None of this is easy. They are fighting and need support. The old cliché, “it takes a village,” took on new meaning the day I was diagnosed and decided to openly share this journey with them. We all stand and fall together as we go through.

Often, the focus is on me. Hell, it’s my body fighting. But that does not mean those fighting next to me should be forgotten.

We have cancer, and I wanted to thank you for fighting with me. Showering me in constant love and support. You all are amazing and why I am fighting so hard. Support and love are accredited to every survivors’ journey. We do not fight this alone and I would not be winning this fight without all of you.

From the bottom of my heart, thank you. Please remember those caregivers and supporters when you ask about a survivors’ journey.