June 1 it is an amazing 14 years since my breast cancer surgery. I am one of the lucky ones, and I have always known that. I have lost friends over the years to breast and other cancers.

Today was oncology as in my oncology appointment. Because of the musical chairs and circus that is health insurance, I can’t have my mammogram for the official all clear for a few more weeks.

I still find the health insurance circus maddening. You are paying for service yet somehow it always seems to be made as difficult as humanly possible.

I still have the same oncologist and I’m still as fond of him as always. And remarkably, it’s still nerve-racking going to the appointment.

Minus the actual mammogram, I’m still all clear. I do however, have to go back to physical therapy because now I have lymphedema in my left arm officially. I’ve been dancing with it for months but now it’s official so I will do physical therapy again because it really is helpful. It’s just expensive. Everything with breast cancer is expensive.

Everything with health insurance and healthcare today is expensive. But at least I have health insurance and good doctors. I am well aware that not everybody has that. It’s almost a luxury.

I am now 61. I was 47 when this all began.

Today is a happy almost anniversary to me.

Anyway, here I am, still standing. Please get your mammograms.