cancerversary - cancer + anniversary

A "cancerversary" (cancer + anniversary) is the milestone anniversary of a significant event in a person's cancer journey. It commemorates personal resilience, survival, and life post-cancer.

Ten years ago, on June 16, 2016, I heard the words, You have cancer,

Stage IV colon cancer.

There are moments in life that split time into *before* and *after*.

That was one of mine.

And yet… here I am.

Ten years later.

Still here.

Still growing.

Still learning.

Still laughing.

Still creating.

Still believing that joy belongs — even here.

This anniversary is not just about survival. It is about the life I have reclaimed, the wisdom I have gathered, the people who carried me, the grace that met me, and the purpose that continues to unfold.

Cancer changed me, but it did not get to define the whole story.

Today, I honor the woman I was on that frightening day.

I honor every treatment, every scan, every tear, every prayer, every hand that held mine.

I honor my body for carrying me.

I honor my spirit for rising again and again.

And I honor every survivor, thriver, caregiver, and person still in the hard middle of it.

May my life continue to say:

There can be beauty after the breaking.

There can be laughter after fear.

There can be play after pain.

There can be purpose after diagnosis.

Ten years.

What a holy, humbling, joyful gift.

**Thank you, life. I am still here.**

Heart and Hugs

#StageIVSurvivor#ColonCancerSurvivor#TenYears#StillHere#LetUsPlay#JoyBelongs#LeeLeesLifeLessons