Today is six weeks to the day after my bilateral mastectomy, and it's the day I saw my medical oncologist to find out the results of the OncotypeDX Breast Recurrence Score Report. When my medical oncologist came in the exam room, her first words were "Good news!!" That's what I was hoping to hear. I … Continue reading Breast cancer Round 2: Positive news!
chemo
Breast cancer Round 2: More waiting
Well, the Trickster is at work, and I have another opportunity to let go of expectations. My appointment tomorrow with my medical oncologist has been pushed back a week as we wait for the oncotype genome testing results. Today is Monday, and I was supposed to see my medical oncologist tomorrow because she expected the … Continue reading Breast cancer Round 2: More waiting
Breast cancer Round 2: Meeting with my medical oncologist
I saw my medical oncologist this morning. She was more concerned than my surgeon about the tumor and the pathology so far. More extensive pathology will give answers. That more-extensive pathology will take two to three weeks. My medical oncologist's concern is that the tumor was larger than expected (and therefore in a range of … Continue reading Breast cancer Round 2: Meeting with my medical oncologist
Celebrating 10 years cancer-free
On this day at this time (December 5 at 1 PM) I was home or about to be home after a breast lumpectomy and node removal. I don't recall ever wondering during that time whether I'd still be around in a decade. Even though that wasn't a thought back then, here I am now, 10 … Continue reading Celebrating 10 years cancer-free
So . . . how long does surgery or cancer treatment recovery take?
The short answer to my title question? It depends. Yeah, that's not the answer I want, either. What I've found after two surgeries this year and cancer treatment (two rounds of chemo, surgery, radiation) six years ago is that the doctors will give you the best-case scenario. But they will also say, "It depends. Everyone … Continue reading So . . . how long does surgery or cancer treatment recovery take?
Why does healing take SO LONG?
All of us have been through some kind of wounding situation that put us on a healing path. It might have been a badly sprained ankle, a deep cut that required lots of stitches, surgery of some sort, a heart attack, the death of a friend or loved one, a divorce, cancer, a lost friendship, … Continue reading Why does healing take SO LONG?
Teaching Middle School, Week 3: Not only the weather was unpredictable!
I'm learning that unpredictability is going to be a big part of my life now as a middle school teacher. It's kind of like four years ago when I was going through cancer treatments. One of my big struggles was the unpredictability then, too. How would the side effects manifest during chemo treatment? How would the radiation affect me … Continue reading Teaching Middle School, Week 3: Not only the weather was unpredictable!
A 7 Year Cycle: Failure and Fear
About three months ago, I got the feeling I was completing a cycle. That something is finishing within me, that something is shifting, that I'm about to emerge into something new. I realized that it was seven years ago that I quit teaching and embarked on a new life. I also realized that I've read … Continue reading A 7 Year Cycle: Failure and Fear
An Upcoming “Birth”day: Three Years After Cancer Treatments
April 24th is a kind of birthday for me. It's the day I completed breast cancer treatments. And fittingly, this year's local Relay for Life is on April 25th. So I'm looking at this year's Relay event as a "birthday" celebration of my third year as a cancer-free person. But I'm not only feeling celebration … Continue reading An Upcoming “Birth”day: Three Years After Cancer Treatments
Sometimes I’m stupid, and I forget
And in the midst of that I've overlooked beautiful sunrises. I've gulped down coffee and food while thinking of totally unrelated situations. I've worried about things that are beyond my control.
I've forgotten too much of what I learned on my cancer journey.
eddies and currents 