Can you believe it's been almost a year since I started my excellent cancer adventure? I learned of my diagnosis on February 28, 2010. You have all supported me so much over the past year - I am forever thankful! It's been a while since I've posted so here's what's new with me...
Chemo - I continue to receive the herceptin infusions every 3 weeks and will continue to do so until June. No side effects to report, so it's really no sweat.
Hair - Yes it's growing! My eyebrows are back and so are my eyelashes. What a difference they make! My hair is growing in thick and dark mixed with lots of gray. I'm wondering if the gray will stay or if it's an effect of the herceptin (that's what I'm hoping!) It's about an inch long and I'm ready to hang up the wigs, but my kids are not. They have the final say in when I can go wigless in public, so for now the wigs stay.
Boobs - Their shape and size are way better than they've ever been! I got to go bra shopping and get all new much larger under garments - how fun is that? Did you know the women at Nordstrom stay in the dressing room with you and help you put the bras on? I've been wearing them for at least 25 years - I think I can do it myself. But once I got over myself it was actually very helpful to have someone else in the room :) Everything is healed and looking and feeling good. I have my next appointment with my surgeon on February 28 where I think I get my areola/nipple tattoo on the right side. Now that will be an interesting day! Stay tuned...
Tests - I have an echocardiogram every 6 weeks to make sure the herceptin isn't damaging my heart. My last one was Feb 3 and so far everything is fine.
Public Speaking - I did a speech about my experience with breast cancer for my public speaking class - 15 minutes of just me talking with no podium! I managed to make the class laugh a few times and I didn't cry (that was my goal!) I was pretty proud of myself and to top it all off, I got an A in the class!
Tamoxifen - After pledging that I would take it in December, I never picked up my prescription. I've been feeling really good - almost normal. The hot flashes are gone, my emotions are in check, I'm sleeping all night, and I just couldn't convince myself to trade in all this feeling good and feeling like my body is mine again by messing with my hormones. Plus the reconstructive surgery for me symbolized the end of my treatment (except for the herceptin) and starting a new drug regiment would have depressed me and made me feel like the cancer was still calling the shots. After a year, I don't want to be a cancer patient anymore. It sucks! So it was a my-life-is-moving-forward-I-hope-I-don't-regret-this-decision kind of decision. I'm good with it (even though I know a lot of you disagree with me - but I realize you just want the best for me and don't want the stupid cancer to come back!) So at this point I am not taking the drug.
So now you're caught up! Life is busily normal which is great. I'm running again (to try to lose the extra 5-10 lbs I put on during treatment) and feel really good. I really can't thank you all enough for the year of support. I'll keep you posted on my progress!
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How do I get a part-time job helping women with their bras in dressing rooms?
ReplyDeleteKristen! Your speech was SO beautiful and powerful -- still can't believe that was your first official go at it. So glad to share the class with you...
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