Best Of

Hi @girlnamedmaria, While metastatic recurrence from stage 1A is unusual but not impossible considering your future as you age is a wise thing to do. I'm thirty years older than you so this is coming from the direction of hindsight. Being near family and friends is important when you need support. Parents and older relatives likely won't be around so consider those your age and younger (nieces, nephews, cousins, friends' children, common interest friends.)

Having a plan to move closer to those in your support system when necessary might be enough at this point. However, don't wait for retirement to enjoy your life. If you would be happier now living closer to friends figure out if you can make that happen. Don't spend recklessly but travel while you are younger so you can hike, climb and rough it a bit. My husband always wondered why we bothered to travel internationally for my single week school vacations but now is glad that we have those memories since our wings have been clipped. Don't stop saving for retirement as you will need that money to live on later but contribute regularly to a separate account for bucket list items (maybe don't pay off the mortgage early.)

My retirement is very different from what I had envisioned because of a lung injury from rads which makes me live like it is covid lockdown. I take advantage of anything that I can do outside but I'm grateful I didn't put off all my plans until I had the time and plenty of money. Don't focus on possibly having a short life; live so that you enjoy the present while ensuring you'll have enough money to get by on later.

This is a great topic that everyone who's forty should consider. I hope you get to visit Brazil!