Metastatic and Makarios. What does that mean? Why is that the title of this blog? Well, the more familiar term is metastasis. The Webster dictionary states: Definition of metastasis 1 a : change of position, state, or form b : the spread of a disease-producing agency (such as cancer cells) from the initial or primary site of disease to another part of the body metastasis of breast cancer to bone — Medical Physics; also : the process by which such spreading occurs 2: a secondary malignant tumor resulting from metastasis So for me this is my new normal. My breast cancer has spread from the breast to my spine and liver. Unfortunately, what many people don't realize is that there is NO CURE for metastatic breast cancer. Lesson of the day is that 30% of breast cancer will become metastatic. I was one of the lucky ones (6 to 10 %) to have stage 4 from the jump called De Novo. Now this blog post is not a pity party. Just informative about my new normal so I am not blowing up my facebook feed. Since being diagnosis I have wanted to blog and share my story to be cathartic,to advocate for more research for metastatic breast cancer (MBC), increase awareness to MBC, and to help others through positive inspiration. I have been trying to think of a title. I wanted an M word that I could pair with Metastatic. I could not find one that I connected with until this past Sunday. I finally felt well enough to attend church. Fatigue with cancer in combo with the medication is very real and I have to be selective on what I decide to do for the day. Oh boy, that is another blog topic in the future. So I am sitting in church and our pastor put this word on the monitor: MAKARIOS. He mentions that it translates to mean happy, blessed and fortunate. I was thinking, really?? So of course during the service I googled it and low and behold biblestudytools.com confirmed it:
The NAS New Testament Greek Lexicon: blessed, blessed, fortunate, happier, happy.
I knew right in that moment that I had found the word I have been searching for. That is was time to start a blog. I know what your thinking, how can I be feelings all of those things with terminal cancer. I don't think I would have made the connection so soon in my journey BUT two days ago on Friday I happen to catch Dr.Oz, which I typically don't watch. He had pastor on, Carl Lentz, that was discussing God, faith and hope. I believe in God. My faith has helped me sleep at night and has guided me throughout this process. I sure this will be the inspiration for more blogs in the future. This is not something new that I found with the diagnosis but was already a part of my daily life. If you are not a believer that is okay too don't leave my blog yet. This could be any higher power in the universe that you connect with. However, God has been giving me all sorts of signs that this is my path. Like my friend Wendy calls them God winks! Catching this show was a wink, attending church and hearing the message another wink. So amazing to see Him work through my life. So Carl explains that we want our belief to change our experiences NOT our experiences changing our belief. God is with me on this journey. Having faith in God and not fear has gotten me through many low points. Prior to this diagnosis. I felt blessed, happy and fortunate by my life. I have a wonderful family, I love my job and I have always tried to choose joy. Why should my outlook on life change because I have cancer?
SO these two words seem to be polar opposites but to me they are symbiotic. That is what I hope to do with this blog. Educate and Advocate about metastatic breast cancer but Encourage and Inspire through my faith. To have Faith not Fear and to Choose Joy everyday. Another God wink is that this is the shirt I wore to church. Amazing!