Celebrate Life Event 2019

I was fortunate to be able to attend a Celebration of Life Event last week, a luncheon and recognition of CTCA patients that have successfully been treated and are surviving 5 years since their initial visits here. My journey has actually been 6 ½ years after a very bleak prognosis in 2012. The most emotional moment was being cheered on by the staff at the Center, as we walked the 200 foot hallway to the buses that took me and my family and to the event. Glad to have my soul mate and love of my life, my wife Rose at my side. Although I had looked forward to this moment since I first started treatment here, it hit me like a ton of bricks that this anniversary date had come, and I am strong, almost 5 years into remission.

I felt a bond with the other “celebrants” most of whom I had not met before. I met the CEO and founder of CTCA who had very nice words to say. I feel everyone there was touched in one way or another.

However, I could not help but to think of those I knew that did not make it this far, I lost my close friends Eddie, Bill H., and Herbert to Lung cancer and Tom to PC. Many of you have lost loved ones, many have been lost from this site. I think of those still fighting, especially all you here on HW, still battling this insidious disease and the side effects every day. Cheering you all on now, and always. I'm praying for full recovery for my friend Bill F. with lung cancer and Bill S. who on that same day was at UCLA Center undergoing a lung tumor operation.

So the take away as is often mentioned here, but always worth repeating, to live every day, celebrate every day, and be one to encourage and support and inspire others. All that, and to love the ones you are with, and cherish every moment with them, Keep the Faith,
On Wings of Eagles, aka Dan in So Cal

Very inspiring account, Dan. Congratulations on knocking the beast down and keeping it down so far.

It's good to hold celebratory events like the one you had, to remember that success can be had, and when it is, it's so uplifting to celebrate it, in whatever way one finds satisfactory. Celebrating with others who have also experienced their own success is doubly rewarding.

Congratulations!

Hello, Brother Wings Of Eagles ~

You are always there, to inspire, support, and encourage !

I'm thankful, very thankful, for the meaningful milestone you have reached ~ each day counts ~ and your post is a testament to that.

Keep treasuring each day's sunrise ~ and give thanks for every sunset.

Keep shining the light and blazing the trail for others to follow,
CYCLONE ~ Iowa State University