It has been 10 years. Ten years since I officially became a survivor of breast cancer.
It is hard for me to believe that it has been that long. It seems a lifetime ago. Sometimes I even forget how long its been and have to stop and count!
Fortunately for me, JoAnn Harseim gave me a little Relay for Life bear that summer, so it has the date on it.
I was one of the lucky ones. My cancer was small and found early. After a lumpectomy and six weeks of radiation, I was cancer-free.
However, for the next five years, I faced every doctor’s visit with apprehension.
I do know that just because I have survived breast cancer, this does not mean I will never be sick again. It really makes me appreciate all that I have and the time I have to spend with those I love.
Although I had cancer, I did not felt like cancer had me. I have never felt my life had been defined by cancer. Again, I reiterate, I was lucky.
Were there tears? Yes. Despair? Sometimes. Pity Party? Occasionally. Hope? Definitely.
Being that 10 years is a bit of a milestone for me, I wanted to do something “pink” for the Family Table.
A cool, refreshing strawberry slush is an ideal drink on a hot summer’s day.
Strawberry slush is easy to make and needs to be prepared in advance of when you want to serve it. I like to keep it in my freezer so it is ready when I need it.
Mix all the ingredients together, except the soda, and freeze in ice cube trays. Two to three cubes of slush cubes in a tall glass are all you will need. Pour the carbonated beverage over the cubes and stir and you have a refreshing drink.
It is not like a thick slush, but more like fruity ice with lemon-lime soda. It is a delicious and refreshing drink.
If you want a thicker slush, defrost the cubes a little, and fill the glass with the cubes. Then add some lemon-lime soda.
This is a non-alcoholic slush so it is suitable for all ages. It is a very fruity drink. Use a diet soda if you are watching your calories, although this is by no means a dietetic drink.
How many of us just cringe when we hear the song of the ice cream man’s truck? It seems you can hear that music a mile away — at which point you are running indoors to look for change, or claiming that you do not hear anything.
The obvious answer to this dilemma is to have some strawberry slush on hand to offer instead. This only works sometimes, however.
Serving a strawberry slush to children is also a good way to get them to eat more fruit, disguised as a treat.
In the 10 years since I had cancer, I have added four grandchildren to my family, had a lot of happiness and some heartache. It is a life I am glad I did not have to miss out on.
So enjoy making this slush, love your family and friends and never take life for granted. It’s a gift.
And remember … a good cook always cleans up!
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STRAWBERRY SLUSH
• 1 20-oz. pkg. frozen unsweetend strawberries, thawed
• 2 15-oz. cans crushed pineapple
• 3 cups orange juice
• Lemon-lime carbonated beverage
In blender, combine half of the strawberries, one can of undrained pineapple and half of the orange juice. Cover; blend until smooth. Pour into ice cube trays. Repeat with remaining strawberries, pineapple and orange juice. Pour into additional ice cube trays. Freeze until solid.
At serving time, remove cubes and place 2 to 3 in a glass. Slowly pour carbonated beverage into the glass. Gently stir to make slush.
For a slushier drink, defrost the cubes a bit, fill glass with cubes, add a little lemon-lime soda and stir to break up cubes.
Garnish with fresh strawberries, if desired.
