5 year anniversary - this is for my husband and your significant others

June 30, 2007 - I married the man I loved! June 30, 2012 - Joe and I will have been married for 5 years! Although we have been together for 17 yrs, we have managed to fall more in love over those 5 years. I can say that I love my husband for all that he has become, all that he has and will do, and everything that he does for me. Doing 5 marathons, 2 Ironmen, and many other races during the past 7 years has made us even closer since we have embraced our shared passions to the fullest extent. This year means even more to me. I was given the first news that I may have had cancer at a routine doctors appointment on February 1, 2012, which was my husbands 33rd birthday. Someone recently said and I agree with them, that this was the best birthday present I could have given my husband - early detection. Because my doctors and I were aware of my risk factors, I was screened early for what was originally thought to be nothing. The phone call I got on February 13 that told me I had cancer changed our lives forever. Joe was not the first to know because I was at work (one of my first questions was "how do you tell your husband you have cancer?") but when I called him, he immediately became my rock, my support, my cheerleader. I will be here with Joe by my side for many years to come because of those dates. This anniversary allows us to not only enjoy the moment but also know that cancer will not take me from him anytime soon or hopefully ever. I am grateful for all of the people around me who are giving me the gift of life through early detection, surgery, treatment, and support. I love this life we have built and am not ready to leave it because we have a lot to accomplish. As Michael Buble said in our wedding song, "...I found strength in you, Cause in my mind you will stay here always in love, you and I... In my mind, we can conquer the world, In love you and I..." We were supposed to be celebrating our anniversary by doing the Tupper Lake Tinman this weekend together. Joe is still doing it and I get to be his lovely cheerleader. This may not be the perfect way we planned it but I will be there and when I do make a comeback, Joe will be my biggest supporter! He will cherish the moment I cross the finish line at my first race with a smile on his face, a big hug and kiss, and probably a tear in his eye because he knows how much this means to me. This means to us. It means I'm back. It means WE are back! This is how marriage is supposed to be. I said these words and I meant every one of them: "For better or worse. For sickness and in healthy." My message to all of you is to do self exams, go to your yearly appointments and have breast exams, call your doctor if you feel something different, get a mammogram when it is indicated for your age, family history, or condition, get a breast ultrasound if you have fibrous breasts, and be proactive about your health. Your loved ones will thank you for this! I wish this disease on no one! It is hard to fight through it but the earlier you find cancer, you give yourself the best chance to treat it and give you the best chance for survival. Do this for yourself. Do it for the ones you love! Happy Anniversary Joe! I love you more and more each and every day! On Saturday we celebrate all we have accomplished and will accomplish together. We have a fabulous future ahead of us with some mountains that are gorgeous to view from the bottom, hard to climb, but rewarding to relax on and enjoy the view. I love you!