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Chemoversary
January 24th, 2022, was the last time I had a chemo infusion. The main chemo, anyway. I’m not surprised the anniversary didn’t pop out at me. It’s kind of easy to forget, considering I want to forget. Leftover Symptoms A year out from the worst of chemo (chemo still technically continued until December 2022 with that Phesgo shot): The Aftermath I still get hot flashes which I had during chemo, but I think that’s due more to the stomach implant I get that suppresses ovary function. I physically feel good, for the most part. Not gonna lie, the kids and I have been sick like 95% of the winter so…
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Cancervesaries
WARNING: Chest photos! Turn back if you’re gonna be weird about it. 😉 I’ve been so busy with everything I forgot to remember that February 23, 2022, was my double mastectomy to an aesthetic flat closure! Aaaaaaand then I realized it also means I’ve been one year cancer-free. ???? NED NED = No Evidence of Disease. Or cancer-free. The surgery scraped out the last remnants of cancer, and so far, I haven’t felt any lumps or bumps, so I’m still considered cancer-free. This is fabulous, of course. As a survivor…you’re always kinda wondering when it’ll come back again. You can’t let it take over your life, but it’s important to…
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New Oncologist = New Treatment Plan
In the July Update, I mentioned my lymph nodes had been feeling swollen. My regular oncologist didn’t think it was worth exploring even after bring it up at 3 different appointments. It doesn’t sit right when your doctor isn’t taking your concerns seriously, so I set up an appointment with a woman oncologist but the appointment wasn’t for another month and a half (yeah, that’s fun). I got concerned enough I messaged my general practitioner, who initially referred me for testing after I found a lump in my breast. She ordered an ultrasound and a CT scan because of how my breast cancer showed up (or didn’t, as the case…
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Survivorship (Or, Dealing with Long-Term Side Effects)
What does survivorship mean? It meant one thing to be pre-cancer and another thing entirely after. Before, it meant not getting cancer again. After? How to deal with the long-term side effects of cancer treatment. I read this NYTimes Opinion piece: “It Takes a Lifetime to Survive Childhood Cancer.” No, I’m not a child. But, I am a “young breast cancer survivor.” (You hear that an effing lot, how “young” you are.) Hopefully, I have a long life ahead of me. As a “young” patient, doctors throw the book at you. They don’t often deviate. You have this type of cancer, then here’s your regimen. Overtreatment of cancer doesn’t often…
