5 years ago today I was told I had Breast Cancer..........

Cathi · February 14, 2005, 6:19pm

Nice way to spend Valentines day Huh ??...anyways, 5 yrs spent fighting this darn disease and I am still here to talk about it ! It has been crazy at times. Breast Cancer Stage IV,Bone Mets, High Blood Pressure, Glaucoma and Diabetes....Enough already.

postal2 · February 14, 2005, 6:24pm

Oh {{{{{Cathi}}}}} It is easy to be friends with you. You are a dear, sweet lady and I am so glad that we have met. For such an awful disease, it definatly has it's silver linings! Love you dear friend, and praying for you for an easy time with treatment. L&H, Gail

It's only when we truly know and understand that we have a limited time on earth -- and that we have no way of knowing when our time is up, we will then begin to live each day to the fullest, as if it was the only one we had. Elisabeth Kubler Ross

beck2000 · February 14, 2005, 8:23pm

{{{Cathi}}} You are such a dear friend. We've traveled quite a road in 5 years, and your friends are certainly going to be there with you for the next chemo. We have shared a lot -- the best thing being love.

Can you pack some of us with you to take to FL? lol

I love you!

Becky

Tavish · February 14, 2005, 9:18pm

5 years eh? I remember those early days, and can hardly believe that so much time has passed! You are one heck of a fighter, and one heck of a woman!

So glad we have journeyd for 5 years and can't wait till we celebrate in 5 more!
L&H,
Lori

gma · February 14, 2005, 9:28pm

Valentine's Day makes it easy to remember your anniversary date, like you wouldn't anyhow? Five years ago seems like yesterday in some ways and forever in others. I lost my stomach muscles five years ago Jan. 29th. So many joined our group that year and we really have become close friends in this time. How great it has been to see you all each time. Luci is right, it is time to think about another get together. Hugs MK

lemonz · February 14, 2005, 9:42pm

Cathi, I did not realize! Five years.... wow. I knew I had been grabbing you by your ear for a long time. And guess what?.......I am going to keep on grabbing that ear. Yep you are stuck with quite a few of us that have one major concern.... make sure you take care of you. Love ya lots and sending hugs and kisses for this Valentines day. Joyce

How wonderful it would be to see Angels where there are only clouds. How sad it would be to see clouds where there are Angels.

Post Edited (lemonz) : 2/14/2005 2:45:40 PM (GMT-7)

MNlady13 · February 14, 2005, 11:25pm

You were diagnosed just before I joined the iVillage board, Cathi. My goodness the years have passed quickly. What would we do without the precious friends we have made because of cancer? I am so blessed to know every one of the people who have crossed my path on the internet and at gatherings. Hugs and love, Lauri

"Go confidently into the direction of your dreams. Live the life you always imagined" Thoreau

Life is not measured by the number of breaths we take, but by the moments that take our breath away.

Candy · February 14, 2005, 11:59pm

Cathi:

DiVanDyke · February 15, 2005, 1:09am

Cathi,
Still remember sitting at the table with you in St. Louis. Loved you then, love you now. Hugs,Di

Desertdreaming · February 15, 2005, 1:17am

Well Cathy, the other day I googled my last name and the picture of us in the Ky newspaper came up. Who would have thought that that gathering would be the start of so many. I am sorry that you are going through so much right now but please know you are always in my thoughts and prayers.

Annette

We have raced "for the Cure"

Worn Lee's Jeans on Friday "for the Cure"

Bought New Balance tennis shoes "for the cure"

Worn pink ribbon pins "for the cure"

Collected donations "for the cure"

Ate pink M&M's "for the cure"

Drank Sutter Home wine "for the cure"

Spent an extra $.08 on a stamp "for the cure"

Ate Lean Cuisine frozen dinners "for the cure"

We have all done our part "for the cure"

now you do yours and get us that cure.

claramels2 · February 15, 2005, 3:11am

Hey Cathi, Happy Valentine's wishes for your 5th anniversary. I had once told you that you were one of the strongest women I knew, and you are. You are awesome lady and I am proud to call you friend.

ardee · February 15, 2005, 3:26am

Happy Valentine's Day, Cathi. Well, this is a rough one, but I know you'll come out of it well because you'll have all of us beside you pulling you through. Take care, my friend.

Love,
Rita

jaaustin · February 15, 2005, 4:18am

Cathi,
I'm so glad you are here, five years later, setting such a fine example for the rest of us. I only wish your road had been easier. I'll never forget seeing your smiling face and bald head in St. Louis. I remember wishing I was as brave as you -- going topless.
All the best to you,
Julie

Do not go gentle into that goodnight,

Rage, rage against the dying of the light.

~Dylan Thomas

barkyboys · February 15, 2005, 5:04am

Dear Cathi...I remember so well the first time we met in Cincinnati. I just wanted to hug you and never let you go! You were so scared... and look at you now, you fiesty, tough old bird! I don't think you thought you had the fight in you at the time, and here you are, still fighting tooth and nail. I am SO proud of you! Here's to five more years.

To life!

Love and hugs...
BEV

cupycake2 · February 15, 2005, 5:23am

(((((((((CATHI HUG))))))))))

I hope that you know that I will be here for you too sweetie. We WILL get thru this TOGETHER! You go and enjoy that wonderful vacation and when you get back get ready to fight this with all the energy you have. I know that if anyone can do this , you certainly can! Keep up that fight that you have always had my friend.

I feel so blessed to have you as a friend. "One" of my favorite pictures of the two gatherings I have been to is the one with the "chatters", You, Me, Susan, Peg and our dear Julie (with Libby written on a piece of paper). Meeting my dear board friends in St. Louis and Louisville are two of my greatest memories.

Sending you love and fighting vibes,
God Bless you my dear friend,
Debbie
^j^ ^j^ ^j^ ^j^ ^j^

"What sweetness is left in life if you take away friendship? It is like robbing the world of the sun"

Cicero

cynd56 · February 17, 2005, 7:50pm

What a journey you have had my sister. It is hard to believe it has been 5 years has passed. You have my continued prayers and in May I will hit the 7 year mark of living with Stage 4 so here is to many more. Love , Cyndy

Tavish · February 17, 2005, 8:11pm

Debbie, I have that same picture too! How funny, I guess we all lined up to take pictures together. I was looking at all those pictures recently, soooo far away it seems.....

L&H,
Lori

kmonke · February 22, 2005, 6:43am

Cathi,

I remember when you first came to the other board for the first time. You were scared, but I remember promising to be there for you. You've been there for me a lot too. That's what this board is all about. Go have a wonderful vacation and when you start chemo you will be rested up and ready to be tough.

You can do it, and yes, we are all going to be there with you once again. Five years and forever.

Love ya,

Kitty