End of 2022 & 2023 Launch
Happy New Year!!!
Some time has passed since my last update and I’m happy to report that I have relatively good news to share. The surgery was a success for removing the tumor! Yay! The healing process was mostly trouble free and I was able to spend lots of time with family and friends while I recovered. A big thank you to my sisters, Jen & Ali for hunkering down with me during that time. Also, I celebrated another birthday which feels like a small milestone in itself. In addition, my brother and his family came from Australia for a visit so the holidays were full of family activities and laughter.
I am very glad to have 2022 behind me but unfortunately my pilgrimage with cancer is not over. My doctor told me we have to assume there is still residual disease in me (aka there are still little cancer cells floating about and duplicating). She also said that I am at high risk for the cancer returning because of the nature of the type of breast cancer I have (triple negative metaplastic carcinoma). Basically, I will be doing various treatments for at least another year, I will get scans every few months to monitor the cancer and somewhere towards the fall or winter I will likely have reconstructive surgery.
Tomorrow, I will begin a 5-week course of radiation. I’ll go in daily for 25 treatments. I’ll be taking a series of immunothery and chemo infusions for approximately 1 more year. There are still unknowns ahead but it’s feeling more manageable at the moment.
I have much to be thankful for in 2022 and that is mainly due to my wonderful family and friends. This past year has been physically and emotionally very challenging but in the big picture I am truly blessed. I can’t adequately express how much all of your thoughts, prayers, and generous acts of love have made this past year so much more bearable!!! I will continue to provide updates as this saga goes on but in the meantime please know that you are in my thoughts and I wish you and all your loved ones double the blessings you have showered on me.
Below are some snapshots of what I’ve been up to over the last few months.
Much love to all of you!!!
My friend Ethan and I near Philz Coffee in the Castro 2 or 3 days after the mastectomy. We were all shocked that I was able to be up and about so soon after surgery. Medicine amazes me.
Me in late November or early December at a diner in the Castro just before my hair started growing back. I am currently a human chia pet. I’m wondering if it is growing back in straight!!! This was also around the time when my eyebrows and eyelashes fell out!
The Flaims from down unda’ come to Cali! Josh was overjoyed that he got to hang off the street car while Sarah, Liv, Aidan and Chris bundle up for the ride.
Tiny birthday hats are the best!!!! My birthday celebration a few houses down from where I stay when I’m in SF. My nephews Josh and Aidan smiling with me, my good friend and college roommate Danielle sitting next to me and Trevor the dog looking for food scraps. I somehow didn’t get a photo with my niece, brother and sister-in-law but they were there, too!
A party waiting to happen!
My cronies Liz, Oli, Heather & Danielle! Their love & support is extra special to me. These ladies have really been part of the backbone of the support structure for me! 💗 I love you!
Why wear one tiny hat when you can wear two?
Kickin’ it with Trevor while drinking my chai tea from Philz’s at Liz & Ethan’s house. I love how his ear is always folded down.
Escape Room with my dad and brother’s family. Left to right: Sarah, Livia, Chris, Aidan, me, my dad and Joshie in front leading us!
Here I am with Waylon in his cute raincoat about to take him and his owner Brian into the vet. I don’t know why, but I feel much joy when I see Waylon wearing his raincoat.
Hands That Care: I currently have 282 uncurated photos of hands that have been taking care of me since this cancer diagnosis. I will eventually share them but in the meantime, here is one of the most recent shots. In this photo, I am getting my first tattoo! In preparation for radiation, they tattooed me with little dots (5 total) so they can calibrate me with the machine that they’ll use to radiate my lymph nodes in my armpit, chest wall and lymph nodes up near my throat.