Where do I begin? Four weeks ago today, I had a double mastectomy with a reconstructive Goldilocks procedure at the same time. I call it the scoop, roll up and staple procedure because they remove all the breast tissue and use leftover skin and boob fat to make new ones. It saved me from multiple surgeries and gave me a pretty easy recovery, so that was pleasing. However, I am going to be brutally honest here and admit that this Chapter has been hard, emotionally and mentally. Kind of a mind f@$&. As if I didn’t have body issues before as a peri menopausal woman, this has been really challenging. There have been some dark days. I can opt for implants at a later date but apparently that is easy peasy. So I have joined the itty bitty tittie committee…and the team T-shirt fits so much easier now. Chapter 3…DONE (ish)!!
So what’s next? My pathology from surgery showed a tiny bit of cancer in one of the lymph nodes they removed so we press forward in the hopes of killing any rogue cancer cells floating around looking to party in another part of me. I was given 2 options and chose the more difficult one in the hopes it will give me the best chance of never doing this cancer fuckery EVER AGAIN!! I am choosing to take part in another trial that is kind of a continuation of the first one. This means 2 more rounds of chemo, starting tomorrow! Then a second round in 3 weeks. After that, every 3 weeks for 14 rounds, I will have a low dose chemo drug and targeted treatment called Kadcyla. In addition to that I may or may not receive another drug (per the trial) that may or may not have some gnarly side effects. Fingers crossed I get it and don’t get the side effects. Lol. I’m gonna call this part Chapter 5 because it won’t end until sometime around April 2024. Chapter 4 will be radiation. Beginning on Aug 21, 5 days a week for 5 weeks. They call it the grind. Personally this whole f ing thing is pretty much a grind, if you ask me. So in an effort to be a patient with cancer vs a cancer patient, I would be remiss if I didn’t touch on some great life stuff happening! Nate turned 21 on July 5th…how did that happen so fast?! He can buy me my medical pot now!! Sweet!! And my radiation doc planned our entire treatment out so I can take Josh back to Colorado State in mid August and move him into his frat house.
I always say I am the luckiest person! I have access to the best treatment. My support system is huge and amazing…that’s you!! My family is the best! I have insurance, nothing to do but heal and fight this! I am in the best place, with the best people and couldn’t be more grateful. If you made it this far, thanks for reading.
FUCK CANCER!!
Just keep swimming! You've got this.
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