Friday 5: 5 things cancer has taught me

Tonight is Relay For Life. It will be my 3rd year going to Relay and I really enjoy being a part of this cause. The first year I went, walking that survivor lap with my good friend Amanda was especially memorable for me. It truly felt like my victory lap, especially when Josh and the kids joined me to finish it. Cancer is truly something that we battle as a family. Even now in remission, we have to deal with the after-effects. Like the fact that I experience hypothyroidism sometimes or have to have expensive tests to make sure I'm still in remission.

For me, being involved Relay is about support. It's about having my friends and family there to celebrate life with me. It's also empowering to be involved in Relay. There isn't a whole lot we can do about cancer once it touches our lives. But being involved in Relay, raising money for the American Cancer Society makes me feel as though I can do something to help fight back.

It's not too late for you to donate to the American Cancer Society on behalf of my Relay team. You can do so buy clicking HERE. I am looking forward tonight to celebrating life!

This week's Friday 5 is about cancer. I could definitely list more than 5, but it's a good start.

5 things that cancer has taught me....

1. Scars can be beautiful because they are our war wounds. My scar is my reminder that yes, I had to have surgery to remove a tumor and my thyroid. But it also reminds me that I beat that tumor.

2. People are capable of so much more than they realize. When my oncologist told me that I'd have to spend 2 weeks away from my family because my radioactive body was dangerous to them, I thought "I cannot do this". But I got through it. So did my family.

3. Your friends and family will surprise you. Not always in good ways. Cancer makes people uncomfortable. They may want to reach out to you but not know how. Other people will be afraid that your bad fortune is contagious and will slip out of your life or do things that hurt your feelings. Some people will rally around you that you never expected. They will let your spouse work from home, visit you, cheer you up and just be there for you.

4. Cancer changes you. I'm not the same person I was before cancer but there are positives to that too. I realize that life can change in an instant and that makes letting my loved ones know where they stand more important to me. Don't be surprised if you get a random "I love you" or sappy monologue about how I feel about you.

5. Cancer can create a strong bond between survivors. I have made some wonderful friends through cancer support networking. I treasure those friendships and I probably wouldn't have met these ladies if not for cancer.