Today is my cancerversary!

Eight years ago today I was diagnosed with cancer. Chronic Myelogenous Leukemia (CML). At the time I thought my life as I knew it was over. I assumed I’d be sick, bald, dying. But thanks to the miracle drug I take, my experience with cancer was nothing like I’d expected. No hair loss, no hospital stays, no chemo, no need to get sick just to get well. Sure, I may never be cured, but eight years later, I am still here. And I am a wife, a mother, a pregnant lady and (pretty much) cancer free. I could never have imagined all of that when I first heard the words, "You have cancer" eight years ago. Not too shabby, huh?

 

In other leukemia news, I’m sure you guys have read that basketball legend Kareem Abdul-Jabbar just announced that he has CML too. I got to meet him on Monday (that's us in the photo above) and he was amazing. Super nice, super tall and doing great on his meds. We are two very lucky people and as I think about how blessed I am today—on my cancerversary—I can’t help but think of all of those patients and families who haven’t fared as well. We still have a long way to go when it comes to cancer research and finding better treatments so don’t forget to support your favorite cancer charities!