Cancer and I have an understanding. What doesn’t kill you makes you stronger. (Yes, I love Kelly Clarkson’s song!). But in reality, it is the truth. Twelve years ago today I became cancer free. My breast cancer diagnosis was scary and I was only 36 and knew no one who had fought this disease. I met this amazing group of women and have laughed and cried and shared and taken for the past 8 years.
Life is a gift, open it, cherish it, live it. Just when I believed I had won and cancer and I could part our ways, it came knocking again. This time it was my eight year old daughter who had neuroblastoma. That year was the darkest year of my life. Worse than my own diagnosis. Losing a child is unimaginable and soul destroying. Through it all, this group lifted me up, supported me and my family. These woman are my family.
I have an ongoing relationship with Cancer now. This past May my Mom succumbed to stage 4 metastatic breast cancer. My whole world just keeps getting smaller and this group is my lifeline. Currently my best friend is living with stage 4 metastatic breast cancer. She is my age and I have survived this cancer for 12 years, while she continues to fight for her life. Life is not fair. How do I reconcile that? How do I accept the joy of life when others aren’t as lucky?
I believe I have been given this opportunity to live because I can share optimism and hope and light. I choose to find a way around the obstacles. I choose to create space for learning and love. I choose to help others who have lost the will to help themselves. Thank you Tough Warrior Princesses for always reminding me of who I am.
Life is a gift, open it, cherish it, live it. Just when I believed I had won and cancer and I could part our ways, it came knocking again. This time it was my eight year old daughter who had neuroblastoma. That year was the darkest year of my life. Worse than my own diagnosis. Losing a child is unimaginable and soul destroying. Through it all, this group lifted me up, supported me and my family. These woman are my family.
I have an ongoing relationship with Cancer now. This past May my Mom succumbed to stage 4 metastatic breast cancer. My whole world just keeps getting smaller and this group is my lifeline. Currently my best friend is living with stage 4 metastatic breast cancer. She is my age and I have survived this cancer for 12 years, while she continues to fight for her life. Life is not fair. How do I reconcile that? How do I accept the joy of life when others aren’t as lucky?
I believe I have been given this opportunity to live because I can share optimism and hope and light. I choose to find a way around the obstacles. I choose to create space for learning and love. I choose to help others who have lost the will to help themselves. Thank you Tough Warrior Princesses for always reminding me of who I am.
Tina Journeay is a founding board member of The Tough Warrior Princesses. Her light and optimism, despite unspeakable tragedies, is astounding. She is the true definition of a warrior. We are so lucky to know her and have her as part of this organization.
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