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BY SUSAN MCCLURE | MARCH 3, 2011
I've noticed an uptick in "Happy Birthday" commercials being aired by the American Cancer Society lately (check out Ricky Martin's video).
What exactly is the campaign's intent? Is it to remind the millions of survivors among us that more people than ever before are surviving this disease? Is it to highlight the fact that while more of us are surviving, there is still much more work to be done? Perhaps it's a little of both.
This most recent offering, with Ricky Martin happily thumping on a bongo, made me think to myself, "How have my birthdays changed since my diagnosis back in 1997?" Upon reflection, I decided that mine have changed significantly. Before cancer, I dreaded getting another year older. I didn't want to tell people how old I was. Today, I often forget how old I am. I have to subtract my birthyear from today's date to figure it out. I don't worry about or celebrate "years" anymore. I'm just happy to be here. Happy to have family and friends I love. Happy to have fulfilling work. Just plain happy to be alive and well.
Have your birthdays changed since your diagnosis? Are you, like me, simply grateful to have another year under your belt? Have your feelings about your own mortality changed? Or, has nothing changed? I'd love to hear about the little things that have become an annual tradition- your special way of honoring the person you've become through your years of life experience.
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tommorrow is my birthday and I appreciate life much more since the cancer 5 years ago
- Posted by jill Zwick 3/4/11 4:29 PM
I was diagnosed with breast cancer in 1995, and ovarian in 1998, believe me I love every single birthday! Always tell everyone birthdays do NOT bother me the alternative to not having one sucks!
- Posted by Becky 3/4/11 4:46 PM
Last Dec. was my 49th birthday and yes, I did have breast cancer at the time. I was a special day for me. I have since had surgery and have been cancer free for 6 weeks. This Dec. will be an even more special birthday for me. I am thankful for every day that I have. This may sound strange but I'm glad that I had cancer because it has totally changed my outlook on things in my life. I don't sweat the small stuff any more, and I am grateful for each and every day.
- Posted by Marti Freer 3/4/11 5:39 PM
I celebarate a bithday eveyday I wake up!!! It is a new bith for r. I was diagonised with colon in 2009 and have been in the battle surviving everyday. Birthdays ae special because it means I have made it another year;but everyday is special cause it means I made it another day. Every pain is wondeeful cause it means I am heeto feel the pain. So I do look at birthdays diffeently..I look at life itself different. It is geat to be alive
- Posted by Sherri Ferguson 3/4/11 8:07 PM
It's my birthday today. I no longer care how old I am getting. Just grateful to be alive and sharing the time with those I love and can't be without. Every year is a step forward away from the year I had to fight for my life.
- Posted by doreen 3/4/11 8:51 PM
My mom's a 28-year stage 4 inflammatory breast cancer SURVIVOR. :))) Her motto: Better over the hill than under the hill. It has changed *my* perspective on birthdays...
- Posted by Alison 3/4/11 10:21 PM
I have always enjoyed birthdays and birthday celebrations. However, since being diagnosed with Breast Cancer in January 2007 and with Thyroid Cancer in June 2010, I appreciate each October 2nd even more. I also feel differently about my "other" birthday, May 9th when I finished treatment for Breast cancer. I felt that this was another day to celebrate and then I was diagnosed with Thyroid cancer in June 2010. Honestly, I don't want this many birthdays. And I am not sure what days to celebrate. Living with cancer alters every aspect of my life and birthdays in Oct. certainly mean the most, because I am getting further away from the diagnosis every year.
- Posted by Susan Abbott 3/5/11 9:38 AM
I had an experimental stem cell transplant on April 6th, 2010. This was my final option after 3 different types of chemo were ineffective for my non hodgkins lymphoma. I am so excited to celebrate my "real" birthday in May and my immune system birthday in April! http://cancergaveme2birthdays.blogspot.com
- Posted by Elizabeth Naylor 3/7/11 1:53 PM
After being diagnosed with Metastatic Disease I celebrate each one of my Birthdays with my children. I always make sure we do something fun, like going out to eat and then going to an Amusement Park or the Beach. My Wonderful Husband always takes his Vacation Week for my Birthday which makes it even better, a whole week of fun for all 7 of us.
- Posted by Milly Lopez 3/7/11 3:03 PM
YES, I absolutely DO!! I am so thankful for each new rising dawn, much less each birthday! Each day is a gift. Each year, a giant one. Put a candle on for every year!!
- Posted by PAM 3/7/11 3:43 PM
Breast cancer and mastectomy 2002 and then diagnosed with rare malignanat Thymoma cancer 2007 -- I say ANY day above ground is a good day :-)
- Posted by Jo Ann 3/18/11 11:01 AM
ABSOLUTLEY!!!! Before cancer, I took everything for granted. Now, I appreciate every new day and put as much as I can into a day. I turned 60 during my treatment and I was just so happy to reach 60. When I hear people complain, I have to think before I respond, because someone who has not been through cancer, cannot appreciate life and all that it brings. I've always liked Spring, but never as much as I do today. Everyday I go outside and look at the new buds on my trees and flowers and when I feel the wind on my face, I know it is the hand of God smiling down on me and I am so very blessed.
- Posted by Patricia Wilkinson 3/18/11 11:25 AM
I used to really not like my birthday much. Everybody elses birthday was a cause for celebration but not mine. Now as I approach being a 5 year stage 3 breast cancer survivor, I look forward to my birthday and will be telling everyone that it is indeed another birthday for me!!!!
- Posted by Eileen 3/18/11 12:19 PM
I'm going to run the IronMan in Lake Placid for my birthday this year. Cancer has me thinking more about life in between birthdays. Life is good in survivorship.
- Posted by David Dorfman 3/18/11 12:49 PM
I was diagnosed at 22 years old with oral cancer. I am on my 16th year of survival and it seems like I don't see the day I was born as my birthday anymore. I see the day all my cancer was removed as my birthday now. For me that day is a huge blessing and I so thankful for each year I have with my family.
- Posted by Dina 3/18/11 2:13 PM
When I hear someone complain about having a birthday and soon getting older, I always think and say, "How lucky you are to be that age!" A birth"day" is truly a gift of another beautiful year of days to be cherished and become aware of the joy there is to be alive.
Going through cancer treatment continually with a loved one and adding on my own two times keeps me grounded in loving birthdays!
- Posted by Jill 3/18/11 4:23 PM
I don't celebrate birthdays like I used to. It is another day living my life as usual. I hadn't thought about it until I read your article, that this is a change since my cancer diagnosis 12 years ago. I count my lucky stars on a daily basis, no longer waiting for the anniversary of my birth.
- Posted by Geri 3/18/11 5:02 PM
In 1994, the morning of the big Northridge Earthquake in California, I was diagnosed with stage 3 borderline 4 Breast Cancer. it had infiltrated my chest wall and there was lymph node involvement. While my house was shaking and its contents were been destroyed, I was running outside with my baby girl, husband and sister; we made it outside safely. Three days after the earthquake I had a radical mastectomy followed by 6 months of agressive chemotherapy and two months of radiation. It wasn't easy but it saved my life. The day I completed radiation I said to myself, "Happy Birthday!!!". I was wrong, every day is my birthday and I treasure it and welcome it with much joy and faith. It's my prayer that a cure will be found so we don't have to say Good Bye to so many loved ones and friends who didn't survived. I know it too well...I was holding my mother and sister when died from brain cancer and ovarian cancer. So, to those like me who won the battle I say..."Happy Birthday."
- Posted by LBT 3/18/11 5:44 PM
I celebrated my 52nd birthday during radiation this February. They sang "Happy Birthday" and the nurse made me a beautiful cake. I was brought to tears. I'm greatful for every person I encountered during my BC journey and for all the birthdays to come, thanks to skilled doctors and early detection. Never again will I complain about birthdays. I'll Celebrate!
- Posted by Liz 3/18/11 7:33 PM
I, too, celebrate my B-day differently now, I had brain cancer in 1996 and while my birthday is in Feb, I now celebrate my seizure and surgery dates as well. In fact, when asked how old I am, I proudly say I am going to be 15 this year. My 'physical' age does not bother me,and I too am grateful for every day- even those that are marred by long-term survivor issues
- Posted by sue 3/19/11 12:38 PM
I just had my 54th birthday last Saturday. I cherish each & every one since I was diagnosed in December 2003.
- Posted by Laurie Rozgonyi 3/19/11 3:49 PM
I celebrate by birth date and also the day I received my "rescue cells" ! :-)
- Posted by Susan 3/20/11 11:48 AM
Tomorrow is my first birthday since being diagnosed with ovarian cancer and going through chemo. I am just happy to be here and have the sun shining. I don't care how old I am.
- Posted by Kathy 3/21/11 2:51 PM
I CELEBRATED my 60th birthday on 2/23 this year by getting my last of 6 chemo treatments. I brought cake for the staff and told them it was a double celebration. I truly believe it would have been a "down" day for me had I not had this breast cancer journey. It is not about the numbers anymore. It is about how we feel and what we are making of this precious time.
- Posted by Debbie 3/21/11 7:43 PM
Cancer changed so much about what I feel about life. Only someone who has survived cancer can understand. As crazy as it sounds cancer can be a true gift. I know it has with me, I always knew life was short and time goes fast and we should cherish each moment. But, now I know,that I know theses things.In church, they announnced my birthday, the first one since I had cancer, I stood up and held my arms up and said "Yah". I attend a smal church and everyone understood why I did it and they all cheered with me. It was great. I had Mesothelioma, I had surgery in Boston last July to remove it.I think I will celebrate the day I found out I had Cancer May 5, and the day of my surgery July 14 as two more birthday. I thank God for my early detection, I was only stage one. I have a lot more to tell as a person with Meso. But, not on this birthday page. My real birthday is March 7, 1957, I am sooooooooooooooo glad to be alive. Thank you God, Dr. Brassard & Dr Sugarbaker.
- Posted by Regina Jewett 3/22/11 11:24 AM
I just celebrated my 59th Birthday on March 16th and will celebrate my 2 year survivorship of Breast Cancer on March 26th. I celebrate both dates to the fullist!!!
I have always been a positive person and after being diagnosed with breast cancer I'm even more so. Enjoy each day and year that passes. Keep that SMILE on you face and in your voice and THANK GOD for every BIRTHDAY I can celebrate. LIFE IS GRAND remember to LIVE, LAUGH and LOVE!! :)
- Posted by Sylvia Wicklein 3/24/11 11:52 AM
My birthday is tomorrow, I was diagnosed with breast cancer in 2005, I just thank God that because of what I went through with surgeries and cancer treatments, especially chemo, that I've been able to help other survivors navigate all of the information out there to make sure they get the standard of treatment they deserve, and help them to avoid some of the side effects by offering support and tips. That's my blessing of being a survivor. -- Simone, wife and mother of 3
- Posted by Simone Thomas 4/6/11 7:25 PM