I was diagnosed with Stage 3 Triple Negative Breast Cancer when I was 35. I am now cancer free for over 6 years. At the time I wrote this letter as a way to reflect on my journey and help me reclaim my life. I want to share it now in case it resonates with someone else going through their own journey.
Goodbye to cancer…
Dear Cancer,
I am writing this letter in the hope that by doing so, I can let you go and move forward with my life.
It’s been nearly a year now since you shocked me with your introduction and changed me forever. All of a sudden, I was ripped from normality and thrown onto your fast-moving train, with no choice and no way to get off.
Despite constantly asking, I was given no explanation as to why you chose me, and many questions remain unanswered. I often wondered if I was somehow at fault for you entering my body, but I’ve now accepted that I’ll probably never understand your reasons — and I must make my peace with that.
In the last year, you have consumed my every thought and taken over my life. You have changed me in every possible way, and the physical and mental scars you leave behind will always be a reminder of you.
You took my laughter and replaced it with sadness and in my darkest of days, I doubted if my eyes would ever sparkle again. I have been forced to completely reinvent myself, and at times this has left me feeling lost, helpless, and unsure of the path I should take from here.
You brought worry, fear, and anxiety into my life — uncertainty about the future and trauma from the past. Worst of all is the pain you brought to those who love me most. They had to watch me suffer, and I know the hurt and distress that caused them.
Despite all this, I have come to a point where I no longer feel bitterness towards you. To give you my hatred would still allow you to have a hold on my life — and that is not what I want. You need to know that the actions of those who picked me up when you knocked me down were so much more powerful than you could ever be.
Your ambition may have been to end my life, but your path of destruction was cut short by everyday heroes who worked tirelessly to save it. Your visit allowed me to see firsthand the incredible work these people do to clean up the mess you leave behind.
Poison may have been pumped into my veins, but my body wasn’t destroyed. The radioactive burns might hurt, but they will heal — and so will I.
So finally, Cancer, I want you to know that although you came close to breaking my spirit, you didn’t succeed. In fact, the person I am now becoming is tougher, stronger, and more resilient — because if I can survive you, I can survive anything.
Cancer, it’s time for you and me to say goodbye. Please leave me now, with the peace of knowing that you will never return.
With strength, hope, and freedom,
A survivor.
Hello
I am sorry to hear of your previous triple negative breast cancer. I am really pleased to hear that you have been clear on cancer for 6 years now.
Thank you for sharing your reflections on your journey and I am sure it will resonate with others who are facing a similar diagnosis.
I wish you well for the future and if you need us, then you know where we are.
Jane
I find writing things down can really help. And it will help those who are currently at the start of their cancer journey.
