This is not the kind of thing I like talking about, not because I mind discussing my cancer (please ask questions I’m happy to share) but because I’m not good with words and springing this kind of news on people causes trauma to the person I just told; and that is never my intention. Cancer seems to be everywhere these days and I still want to be there for my friends who are also dealing directly or indirectly with the woes of cancer.
Here’s my discovery story: in early September for my annual checkup (getting ready for Arizona) my 2D mammogram results came back unusual. Two days later a 3D mammogram verified a mass and I immediately had a biopsy. Four days later results came back indicating that I have HR+/HER2- breast cancer (which in the scheme of things is good news, quite treatable).
My plea and a side note: Please everyone stay on top of your health screenings, I know it can be uncomfortable, time consuming, inconvenient, expensive, et al, but one just never knows. My family tree has virtually no cancer, I had no reason to suspect I had/have cancer, and yet here I am. The somewhat surreal part is I feel good. I don’t feel like I have cancer. And I know how incredibly lucky I am to feel this way, because for far too many cancer is insidious. I’m also not loosing sight of the fact that so far I’ve done the ‘easy’ stuff, that treatment can be hard. But I also know I can do hard stuff.
Initial steps: Friday October 13th (I love this was the date) I had a partial mastectomy; it was rather aggressive to ensure everything got removed. I supported this. I had no restrictions post-surgery, other than I had to wait 3 days before doing anything too physical. So, on Wednesday 18-October I played a couple games of pickleball which gave my spirit/soul/mental health a lovely boost of happiness.
Friday 20-October at the post-op appointment the surgeon told me everything was looking great. And I said thank you so very much and we took off for Arizona. Recuperating in the warm sunshine seemed like a good plan and getting the RV down while the weather was still nice was also a good plan.
Our time in Arizona was well spent, we are feeling rejuvenated as we head home for next steps.
By mid-November we will have met with 2 medical oncologists and a radiation oncologist and to have a treatment plan and timeline.
I have been overwhelmed by kindness and support from so many wonderful people; I cannot adequately express how much it means to me. I am fueled by your well wishes and energized by your hugs to keep moving forward and beat this.
I truly could not keep going without Alan, my kids, and grandkids, their love lifts me up. I got this.
I am so very grateful and appreciative of your love and support 💗, thank you !
Just 3 radiation treatments to go, yay! These are dubbed “boost” sessions as all the radiation is focused directly at the tumor bed. Sessions themselves have been easy lie still for a few minutes, get zapped 😂, done. These sessions take about 30 minutes and while I have a custom fit form it makes my arm and shoulder go numb 😕, glad there are only 3 more, woot, woot!
Complaints aside I’m feeling good, looking forward to Christmas and getting back to warm sunny AZ!
Sending everyone who celebrates warm wishes for merry and bright Christmases and happy, healthy New Year’s!
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