Six Years Cancer Free

Next Tuesday, December 9th will mark the 6th anniversary of my cancer diagnosis. Today I went for my yearly follow-up with my doctor and received the "all clear" that I look forward to every December.

I was not as anxious in the days leading up to this appointment as I have been in the past. When I was first diagnosed, I had to go for follow-ups quarterly and those appointments always had me uneasy. Eventually, as the chance of recurrence diminished, my appointments became further apart. Quarterly appointments became semi-annual and then eventually annual. Last year was the five-year mark which is of major importance statistically in the cancer world, and that milestone allowed me to relax more than any of the other previous anniversaries of my diagnosis.

Still, lying on the table in the doctor's office this afternoon, I drifted back to that day in December of 2002 when, while lying on that very same table, I was told I had cancer. I could never have known on that day what a gift the experience would ultimately be to me. Through that experience, I have gained perspective that I'm not sure I would ever have gained without it. Through my involvement in the cancer community and specifically with the Lance Armstrong Foundation I have met some of the most heroic and inspirational people in the world. I've created lifelong friendships with other survivors and have found a cause to call my own. Most of all, I've truly discovered what is and what is not important in life.

To all of you who've helped me in this journey so far, thank you.

LIVESTRONG,

Bryan