By Carin Hansen

With October being Breast Cancer Awareness Month I find myself reflecting quite a bit. You see, October is extra significant for me because I am a breast cancer survivor and October is also the anniversary month of my, as our culture calls it, “survivorship”.

I have struggled with that word "survivor" for a long time and recently came up with a new word that I believe is a better label for those who have been on a cancer journey. The word is "victor". Every person who begins a cancer journey must either survive as it relates to their physical life or end their journey in death. What frustrates me about the word “survivor’ it that to survive is connoted with someone who simply "made it through". But, a victor is someone who wins in the end.

I have often said that had God asked me if I wanted breast cancer so I could grow spiritually and emotionally I would have answered a resounding "NO"! However, God did not ask and I grew immeasurably because of it. I won in the end! Does that mean I never feel a bit of remorse for having lost my breasts or that I cherished every step of my cancer journey. No, it does not mean that at all. What it does mean is that although I may have lost a few battles along the way, I won the war!

Please do not think for a moment I am saying those who lose the battle of life to cancer are not victorious. That could not be further from what I believe. Those beautiful, strong spirited people who have a personal faith in God yet lose their lives to cancer are not only victors but warriors who have been awarded purple heart medals! In the end they won and they won with honors. They are now living in eternity without pain and tears.

I am thankful God has given me thirteen more years to live. I cherish every day knowing that it may be my last. Not because I am obsessed with death but because that is simply how it is. Everyone who is born must die it is just a question of when.

Touch someones' life with love today, tomorrow and everyday you are blessed to stay on this earth.