Clean Bill of Health

For those of you who are still checking in on me...thank you. That's super kind of you.

Here's a sweet little update for you - 

On Wednesday, September 13th, I visited the breast doctor. She said everything looked good, as expected. She was bemused by all of the trials I went through over the past six months, but glad to see that I've come out on the other side of it all. I still feel some soreness/achiness on my radiation side, but she said that was to be expected. I was a little surprised because I thought I would be feeling much closer to 100% but not quite yet, even though I finished radiation in February! I guess this stuff sticks around a lot longer than I thought.  I also restarted physical therapy because I've been having some tightness under my arm where the lymph nodes were removed. 

The next day, Thursday, September 14th, I had a mammogram done. I'm pleased to report that the images showed all clear! This is exciting news, because even though it should be a routine scan, I never really thought about how I would feel having it, and maybe there was a small, very small part of me that was thinking...gee, what if? But it came out clear, I have a clean bill of health (for once) and I can move on and not think about it anymore.  I will continue to do my self-exams of course, but I don't need another mammogram for at least six months. Hooray!

Thanks for sticking with me... and for your continued prayers! 

Deported - Farewell

I spent the past couple of days in water world with my family, first on a beach day and then on a pool day, all in celebration of the last days of summer and in preparation for my port removal. I (safely) soaked up the sun and thoroughly enjoyed myself. 

I took one last photo of my port. It's been with me since last July and while it hasn't really bothered me (except when wearing a seat belt or carrying a bag), and it was a blessing to have through the treatment process, I am glad to see it go, as a way of moving on from everything. 

I woke up this morning mentally ready to be "deported." Matt asked me if I was nervous and I said not at all. Getting the port put in was such a scary prospect for me. It was in the beginning of this journey when everything was scary. I was so nervous at the time, they had to give me anti-anxiety meds just to get through the procedure. This time, I walked in ready to go. 

I had a very lovely physician assistant do the procedure. She was very kind and played cool island vibes music. A nurse held my hand so I didn't get too nervous. Within thirty minutes, the port was out and I was all stitched up. I was in an out of the hospital in about two hours. 

And now I am back home recovering with ease. With an ice pack and a nap, it'll be like nothing happened, just a regular Tuesday.

The port is gone. The cancer is gone. The thymus is gone. My work here is done. I still have to visit the oncologist every three months, and I follow up with mammograms every six months, and I take my meds for the next five to ten years. But I am ready to move on, to get back to my regular life. I am taking three classes right now, working hard to reinvent myself. And I got offered a new job that I start next month. Life has turned around for me, finally. And I couldn't be more grateful.

You have faithfully followed my journey, you have faithfully prayed for me and carried me through so many difficult days. I will never forget your love and care, it has meant the world to me. In my darkest moments (and I had plenty), I felt held and I know that it was because of you. Thank you for everything...truly. I pray that all of the kindness and loving care that I received will be returned to you a hundredfold. Blessings on you, thank you, I love you. 

Barbie Girl

We took a girls' trip today to the movies to see the Barbie movie. I was only motivated by having an outing with just the two of us, I had no idea what the movie was about, but I was pleasantly surprised by the themes of film. It gave us great content to discuss the concepts of perfection/imperfection and feminism and the patriarchy amongst other things. It's tough growing up being a girl (and maybe it's even harder for her now that she's had a mom with breast cancer), but I hope that my bond with her can stay strong and she can grow up well in this world, with some love and hope. 

Feel It On The First

I discovered a movement to encourage women (and men) to check themselves monthly called “Feel it on the first.” It’s an easy way to remember on the first of every month to do a self-examination, and I’ve taken to doing it myself and reminded those around me. 

Since I was the one who discovered my own lump, I’m even more adamant about making sure we look for changes. It’s important to know what your normal is, because everyone is different, and to be able to recognize changes. So here are some tips. Please take them seriously and do your self-exams regularly. Put it on your calendar for the first of every month.