That phrase is a note in my medical chart, penned by my surgeon, before my lumpectomy on June 22, 2019.....and yes, it is about my breasts.
But why "The Ample Life?"
I am among the lucky because the cancer was discovered early, during a regular mammogram. The next steps were needle biopsy, lumpectomy, two nodes removed two weeks later and then 6 weeks of radiation plus 3 days of directed proton therapy. And I have been cancer free since.
Lucky, yes. Was it a piece of cake? Fuck no!
The job I had moved to Wenatchee for ended because the company decided to close the lab and I moved back to Seattle out of total fear, taking the first job offered because I was afraid that at 60 no one was going to hire me then add 6 weeks of radiation at Seattle Cancer Care Alliance. I was working, going for radiation treatments on my lunch hour and going back to my job right after. I spent weekends going back to help with my Dad, giving my sister a break, as he was suffering a series of small strokes.... and radiation burns are no joke. I was sick, tired, scared and hurting.
But in the midst of all this, after surgery and before radiation, my grand-daughter was born....a sweet bundle of joy and life. When things were bleak or hurting or just plain awful, becoming an OMA was the best!
During one of my radiation treatments, as I laid on the table, I was thinking about that word, AMPLE....abundant, full, plenty. We tend to think in the positive when we think ample, yet life itself can just be ALOT to figure out. The last two and half years have been what my Dad would have called "character building" for myself and I bet most of you as well.
I will tell you more of my cancer journey, but for now....Welcome to My Ample Life!
Blessings,
Shannon
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