After writing about the Drug Holiday that I’ve been on for the past few weeks, I’m thrilled beyond belief to report that for the first time in a year and a half, I have slept eight hours in a row three nights…in a ROW. I can hardly contain how happy I am. I mean beyond… Continue reading Sleeping (Is) Beauty
Breast Cancer Recovery & Remission
Open Wounds
This weekend, I was invited to speak at an event. I was asked to “tell my story.” I had my usual pre-speaking Nerve Bugs, for which I did my tricks and tips to contain them. However, I found that the copious amounts of practice, deep breathing, and water consumption didn’t work as well as they usually do.… Continue reading Open Wounds
A Drug Holiday
A Drug Holiday About three weeks ago, I made a pretty radical decision: I decided to take a “drug holiday” from Tamoxifen. As you may recall, I was taking Tamoxifen because it is the typically-prescribed endocrine (anti-estrogen) therapy for hormone receptor-positive breast cancer in pre-menopausal women (which describes me to a “T”). The net-net is that Tamoxifen has been shown to reduce… Continue reading A Drug Holiday
Decision Fatigue
During my treatment for FBC (f-bomb breast cancer for new readers), I had mental fatigue as much as I had physical fatigue. There were days when even the teeniest decision sent me into a full meltdown. White shirt? Blue shirt? Arghhhhh!!!! Based on comments from patients with whom I have worked as well as The… Continue reading Decision Fatigue
The Clown Car in Life
One of my best girlfriends (with whom I travel pretty frequently) teases me about the fact that my suitcase always looks like a clown car. In other words, I can pack for a week (anywhere) in a carry on. I do this mainly because I can’t stand to wait at baggage claim for my luggage… Continue reading The Clown Car in Life
More Cancer Side Effects
More Cancer Side Effects In the last week, I have come to the realization that I am still having side effects from FBC (f-bomb breast cancer) treatment. The Silver Lining is that these side effect no longer require days lingering over or near the porcelain potty. Rather these side effects are psychic. The not-so-Silver Lining… Continue reading More Cancer Side Effects
Coming Out Party
This weekend I went to a fancy schmancy black-tie event in Chicago. The HOTY is especially cute in a tuxedo and I love wearing a long gown. Our daughter, a/k/a Sweetly Six, swoons over a long dress and is already planning to be a flower girl in one of her older brother’s weddings so that… Continue reading Coming Out Party
Funkilation
The poor HOTY – again. I am totally funk’d up – again. I am, however, able to trace two of the sources of the funkilation, the first of which is that I have my second post-FBC checkup tomorrow. Today, I went to get my pre-appointment blood draw (a requirement before every checkup). Prior to the stick,… Continue reading Funkilation
Survivor Guilt After Cancer Treatment
Survivor Guilt After Cancer Treatment I’ve never wondered why I was diagnosed with cancer. Many people have asked me, “Why on earth would you, a young, healthy, happy person with no family history get breast cancer?” Even when other people wondered, I never have. I guess I figured that “Why?” wasn’t the point. I had cancer.… Continue reading Survivor Guilt After Cancer Treatment
Anticipation After Cancer Treatment
This week, I have my first 3 month checkup post treatment. I’m going for my blood work tomorrow morning and will see my Oncologist on Friday. I am a little nervous. Totally normal, I know. But still.