Bonnie Annis

After eleven 11 of survivorship, I’ve been waiting to hear the words, “You’re completely free of cancer! Go in peace,” but I’m wondering if it ever will happen.

Fear is a powerful enemy of the mind but there’s another word that has the same power. That word is a six letter one, cancer.

After years of survivorship, I’m realizing that shedding extra pounds may do more than improve comfort — it could reduce my risk of recurrence.

Breast cancer surgery can disfigure the body in some way, and often the scars are more than skin deep, which may worsen by the actions of others.

Even after many cancer-free years, the fear of recurrence still lingers, and many long-term survivors struggle to keep those thoughts at bay.

Summer heat can worsen my lymphedema, but I’ve learned simple ways to stay cool, reduce swelling and protect my arms — here’s what helps me most.

Eleven years post diagnosis and issues related to breast cancer still frustrate me.

Cancer memories often sneak up on me when I least expect them to.

As a breast cancer survivor, I feel it is incumbent upon me to give an accurate picture of cancer to others, particularly newly diagnosed patients.

A revelation has given me perspective for the New Year, inspiring me to embrace change, set new goals and upgrade myself to a better version in 2025.

Breast cancer affected my looks and self-esteem, but I found small things could make a big difference in feeling pretty again.

I've learned to embrace the changing nature of my body as I age, accepting the challenges and finding gratitude in each day.

I’ve learned to live in the present by avoiding clocks, a necessary change in my life after having breast cancer.

After my breast cancer diagnosis, I decided to take a more active role in my treatment plan, opting for radiation therapy over chemotherapy due to concerns about side effects.

When I underwent surgery for breast cancer, reconstruction was highly recommended, but I decided to remain flat — a decision I think about sometimes.

As a breast cancer survivor, I’ve learned to navigate the annual sea of pink, but I don’t like it.

A disease, such as cancer, that affects a person’s physical limitations can catalyze learning to rest, which is something I recently realized.

After a decade of surviving cancer, I’ve wondered if it’s possible to truly forget I had breast cancer. After a small incident, I thought perhaps it was possible. Now I’m not so sure.

I get upset when I read something thinking it’s true and then find out later it isn’t, especially when it’s something important regarding cancer or lymphedema.

This year, I celebrate 10 years of being free from breast cancer. It’s hard to believe, but I am cherishing this milestone and plan to celebrate big.

After a friend sent me a link to her GoFundMe page for her cancer care, I had to think long and hard about how to respond.

After having breast cancer, I worked on learning to accept and love myself.

After a good friend told me about her recent diagnosis of breast cancer, I started experiencing a type of breast cancer déjà vu.

When I received news of a fellow blogger’s demise, I was heartbroken.

My relationship with my body has changed over the years, especially during and after breast cancer. Now, I have accepted the way I look.

After nearly 10 years as a breast cancer survivor, I've received so many questions I can't answer about cancer.

Questions about cancer can often be confusing and frustrating.

When innovation meets creativity, you never know what might happen, notably as a breast cancer survivor!

Cancer is such a life-altering event, that it’s hard to fathom being able to forget all memories associated with it, but I did my best to make it happen.

After cancer, I finally went on a cruise and allowed myself to fight through my fears, which felt so freeing.