Here on my December 6th birthday I look back at the past few months of my latest cancer journey. At this point I'm almost three months post bilateral mastectomy. I've been taking the aromatase inhibitor (Anastrozole, brand name Armidex) for about a month. I'm not sure if I'm having side effects or not. They're the … Continue reading Breast cancer Round 2: Birthday update
gratitude
Breast cancer Round 2: Next (long term) step
Today I saw my radiation oncologist. He was the one in charge of my radiation last time, 11 years ago, the first time I had breast cancer. This was the scene of my radiation then: But it will NOT be the scene of my cancer journey this time! My doctor came in the room and … Continue reading Breast cancer Round 2: Next (long term) step
Breast cancer Round 2: Positive news!
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!
Breast cancer Round 2: Almost a week post-mastectomy x2
Another day when I'm the grouchiest grouch that ever grouched. That probably means I'm healing, right? I'm tired and sleepy. Some nights I sleep great. Some nights my restless legs kick in and make it hard to fall asleep. I was worn out yesterday from getting up early to watch the Queen Elizabeth funeral events. … Continue reading Breast cancer Round 2: Almost a week post-mastectomy x2
Breast Cancer: Round 2
If you'd told me even a year ago that I'd be happy to get a cancer diagnosis, I'd have told you that you were crazy. Yet here I am . . . . because it's not the nasty cancer version I had before. A routine 3D mammogram on August 5th looked suspicious so the radiologist … Continue reading Breast Cancer: Round 2
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
A Shift: A New Decade Post-cancer
Ten years ago today I received a breast cancer diagnosis. I thought I'd reflect on that day today and have a kind of celebration. But that's not what I'm feeling. I'm feeling a shift today, a letting go of that time 10 years ago. A letting go of the heavy energies of that cancer journey. … Continue reading A Shift: A New Decade Post-cancer
How to adjust to a new normal: 4 suggestions
I remembering longing for anything that felt "normal." I wanted to feel better physically, mentally, emotionally, spiritually. And I wanted all of that normal immediately.
What I most admire about really good moms (and all who play this role)
For Mother's Day I want to write a quick post about my admiration for moms (and the other folks who act as moms). I think about you pretty often as I go about my daily life. You know when? It's when I'm very tired, dragging myself around in the late afternoon or evening. Or when … Continue reading What I most admire about really good moms (and all who play this role)
Double Knee Replacement: One month out
Here's a somewhat quick update of my double knee replacement. Last week was rough. Really rough. At the suggestion of two physical therapists, I only had physical therapy (PT) twice instead of three times. I took a day off for healing. And I cut back on the exercises I do. My sister had planned to … Continue reading Double Knee Replacement: One month out
eddies and currents 