Bone-a-fide

True tales of life after bone cancer.

Saturday, December 15, 2007

Anniversary

Today is an exciting day, folks!

[The writing on my legs says: "Bon Voyage, Cancer!"; "We love Dr. Healey"; and "Please, not this leg!" (written on my right leg)]

Two years ago today I was a few hours through the ten hour surgery that removed cancer from 24 cm of my left femur and knee. My mom and friends were gathered in support at Memorial Sloan Kettering anxiously waiting for news. At that point we didn’t know if Dr. Healey would be able to save my own bone with cryosurgery, or if I’d wake up with a donor bone inside me. We didn’t know if I’d be able to fully bend or straighten my leg again.

One year ago today I had just moved to walking on a cane after eleven months on crutches. I was missing my all my friends in New York, I felt isolated working alone from home, and didn’t having the energy to brave the cold and ice with my cane to go out to see people much.

And here I am today. Last night I did two 90-minute improv shows back-to-back, zipping around the stage in front of sold-out audiences of 160+. This morning I worked on (finally) uploading the photos from our beautiful wedding this year, which I danced my toosh off at with my amazing husband. This morning I’m going to take a friend out for her birthday brunch, and then go work with two other new friends on an exciting project we’ve been developing. I’m one payment away from being out of eight years of credit card debt, which exploded again with all the extra expenses associated with my recovery. Tomorrow I’ll teach yoga.

It’s funny because things haven’t felt perfect lately, but I realize in writing this how far I’ve come, how much I have to be thankful for, how lucky I am for the loved ones that grace my life and support me endlessly. How, when put in perspective, things are perfect, right now, today.

Thank you to all of you for that gift.