A cancer diagnosis changes everything. It’s not easy and it’s hard not to be consumed or defined by this terrible disease. While I am proud of the battle I fought and challenges I have overcome, there are also times I don’t want to be associated with the disease and all that I went through. I am forever changed because of cancer.
Despite this I don’t want the disease to define me. I am still the same old Erin I was before cancer. I’m still the mom, wife, friend, coworker, huge sports fan and fitness fanatic that I was prior to having cancer. None of that has changed.
Do I think about cancer a lot? Yes. Do I share about cancer a lot? Yes. But I don’t want that to be all I talk about or associate with. I am so much more than the disease. Yes I am a survivor, thriver, fighter and warrior. But that is not all.
I write as a hobby and outlet and share a great deal about my battle with cancer. But I also write about other things in my life because I am more than the disease. There is more to my life than my battle with cancer.
At this point if you have read my blog or if we are Facebook friends you know my story. I will still share frequent posts about cancer because yes it still is a huge part of my life and is a part of who I am. I have not run from that and am not ashamed of all I have been through.
But I don’t just share about cancer because I am more than the disease. Do I think I’m pretty amazing and bad ass for kicking cancer’s ass while pregnant and while raising five young kids, yes I think so. But guess what there’s a lot of people out there battling this terrible disease that are amazing and kicking ass too. It’s not about me and what I did. It’s about sharing my story to educate and help others better understand what cancer is and what we go through battling this terrible disease.
What I did and went through was a lot and pretty incredible to look back on. But I am so much more than that. Cancer is just a small part of my story. And that is why I share more than just about the disease all the time. Because I will not let cancer define me even though it has forever changed me.
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