Guest Post: "Perspective from a Cancer Survivor" by Emily Atar

Just a short intro before I let Emily's words speak for themselves.  I've known Emily since 2nd grade, however, as a lot of friendships do, we grew apart each involved in different things in life.  But like a lot of us, I enjoy seeing what my high school classmates have been up to the past few (or 20) years through social media.  So when Emily posted the FB status below last week, I was inspired and I really wanted to put it on my blog because you can feel her emotion through her words.  I asked her if I could post it and use her name and she allowed me share her story.  Thank you Emily for letting me share your journey with the social media world.  
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EMILY'S STORY


June 7th is an incredibly life-changing day for me. 2 years ago today I received my shocking diagnosis of Acute Lymphoblastic Leukemia. 2 years ago I thought my life was going to change- but I had no idea how much it really would and how long this fight against cancer would be. On this anniversary of my diagnosis- which is also National Cancer Survivors Day- I reflect back on how far I have come, yet how much further I need to go. I am in remission, but have to take multiple chemotherapies every day/week/month. I still am not well enough to go back to the work I loved, I barely have enough energy to keep up as a wife and mother, live with a decreased immune system that has me walking on eggshells, and have pain, anxiety and other side effects from chemo (both past and present). And yet I. AM. HERE! 

I know that I was able to get through this with the strength and love of my family and friends as well as by the Grace of God. I will continue to fight every single day that I have, to do my therapy in order to lower the chances that this ALL does not rear its ugly head again. And each night I thank my God for all the blessings I have and the time I have had with my family and friends. My mortality has been shoved in my face, but I choose to acknowledge LIFE. I kiss my children and tell them I love them every single day. I stop and appreciate beautiful, everyday moments. I say "yes" more often than I should. And I will continue to do so until my last breath. 

I have come too close to not making it through this journey/battle/hell-on-earth; even just as recent as this past January. Spending days in the hospital and ICU has given me more perspective than I sometimes wish I had. Each morning I wake up and thank the Lord for another day to wake up to, I look to a sign that hangs in my room that states "Never Give Up", and acknowledge that I continue to be a brave, strong woman EVERY SINGLE DAY. I love harder, cry more, and take for granted nothing. 

I share this perspective with my family, my friends, my Facebook acquaintances, my former work colleagues, and whomever may take the time to read this in order to help encourage you to truly try to appreciate each day you have; appreciate the people in your life; appreciate the moments in your life. Remember that silly little annoyances are simply just that. And always be kind, be kind, be kind. Because you truly don't know what battles people are going through. Everyone who I see/meet and who learn of my story say "You look so good", but they have no idea how hard it may have been to get up that morning, or how much pain I may have in my feet/hips, or that I may have had chemo that day and am exhausted and scared of another massive infection. 

There are so many truly brave people out there that need the help, love and friendship from others that can provide those, and I beg you to PLEASE- be there for them any way you can. Because we all need love and friendship; comfort and encouragement; and the basic appreciation for humanity.

I also encourage you to celebrate little things and big things. Please don't bemoan your next birthday- because each night I pray to be here for my next birthday! My short term goal is to be dancing on my 40th birthday, my long term goal is to be dancing on my 90th! I pray that I get to be an old lady! So today I celebrated by going to church, and then heading to a baseball game with family and friends, and then enjoying a beautiful Washington evening. 

Thank you to everyone who has supported me. Please keep any prayers coming- my hope and faith is greater now than ever before. And please, celebrate with me this life we have- today and every day. Much love. XO