It has been a year since my melanoma diagnosis. My next body check is not until March. I just put away my melanoma black bracelet. It has been seven years since treatment for a rare papillary serous uterine cancer caused by an aromatase inhibitor that treated my breast cancer. It has been eleven years since my stage three thyroid cancer and breast cancer diagnosis. Milestones. I have also had several basal cell cancers. All these cancers were onetime events.

I thought my number was up with the melanoma. But I have come to the conclusion that my body doesn’t screen out new cancers very well. But then, I have had no repeats. No metastasis. It is better at preventing recurrences. I am grateful for that.

The treatments were brutal for each cancer. I always felt cured when I was done. I realize that it only takes one cell to start the whole thing going again. I have learned to live with that. A new cancer can be just around the corner.

At the same time I was dealing with the cancers I have been managing a relentless rheumatoid arthritis (RA). The inflammation from it has caused a severe atherosclerosis. I continue on.

As people age their body’s defense system declines making them more susceptible to cancer. It is best to keep all the checkups for each.

My cancers seem to come five years apart except for the first two. That said. I have until 2028 before the next one is due. All we can do is wait and see.