Journal entry by Maggie Davis —
...The good things don’t always soften the bad things, but vice versa, the bad things don’t always spoil the good things and make them unimportant."
-The Eleventh Doctor, Doctor Who
It's been awhile since a big update, and now seems like as good a time as any.
One year ago tomorrow, June 7, 2018, I received my cancer diagnosis. It's been a whirlwind of a year to say the least, and I've been blessed with a pile of good things and bad things, as the Doctor says, and, luckily, the good have far outweighed the bad.
Dates have been unimportant to me; I don't want to focus my energy in remembering which dates I had biopsies, which date I got my diagnosis, and which dates I've had treatment. I don't want to focus on that. I had to go back to look at my calendar to even figure out which day I received my diagnosis. In fact, the other day in Dr. Morrissey's (my plastic surgeon) office, he asked me when I finished radiation. I had no clue. I've chosen to focus on my life, rather than on my cancer, and it has been the right choice for me.
As far as a health update goes, I am doing very well. I am finished with all active treatment, and I'm now taking a well-known estrogen blocking drug, Tamoxifen, for 10 years. I'm getting stronger and less tired everyday, which is fantastic. Looking ahead, I mostly have reconstruction left post mastectomy. Around March 2020, I will be able to get my implants in. For now, I will focus on healing and resting and living life to its fullest.
A year later, I want to dedicate this post to every single person that has helped me get through this past year. There are too many to name and remember, and I am humbled by all the love and support I've received. But I do want to touch on a few particular people and groups of people I am thankful for. These paragraphs are mostly in order of the timeline of my last year.
I want to thank my dear friend of 10 years, Jared, for being there for me from the moment this all began. I received my diagnosis in the middle of a rehearsal, and he was the first one I told, as he met me outside of the rehearsal studio after receiving a text from me. I immediately knew I had to tell him, and he immediately gave me the support I needed (along with a couple shots of whiskey). Jared, in turn, allowed me to stay at his house during my surgery recovery so I could be near my doctors rather than commuting back and forth from Philadelphia. He helped take care of me, and he made me laugh when I thought I'd never be able to laugh again. He made sure I had a special birthday just 12 days post surgery, and there were plenty of days of Netflix binging together. He drove me to appointments, and listened as Dr. Nakajima explained the chemo and radiation I had to do. I will never be able to thank him enough.
I also want to thank Jared's family, who also gave me an immense amount of support. His mother, Mary, and their family friend, Mary (a cancer survivor herself), sat down with me to talk about what was coming ahead. They gave me practical tips, like telling me to invest in button-up clothes because I would have difficulty lifting my arms post surgery. Jared's parents sent us breakfast on the morning after I was discharged from the hospital, and Jared's Mom, Mary, has continued to check up on me and research topics pertinent to my situation. She was a nurse after all, and she has remained a fantastic support and source of information.
For my friend and Philly roommate, Ali, I cannot begin to express my gratitude. She was the second person to know of my diagnosis, and never doubted that I would make it through. This amazing woman was with me the day I was discharged from the hospital, and she drove me (in my pajamas and nauseous from Percocet) to my first doctor appointment directly after my hospital discharge. She learned how to take care of my drains, and she helped me with them for several days while also helping me dress my scars. She made sure that my in-home nurse care was scheduled. And she has kept me going everyday for the past year, my constant cheerleader.
To my sister, Hannah. Hannah came into town the weekend before my surgery. She helped me pack up from my summer job, move my belongings to my storage unit, and shop for supplies and new outfits before surgery. She accompanied me to my final pre-surgery appointments, came with me to the hospital on the day of the surgery, waited in the waiting room all day, and then stayed the first night with me. It was comforting to have her with me, and we made sure to share ice cream for every meal from the cafeteria. :-)
For my Emily's, Baver and Rolston. Emily Baver came to visit me in the hospital and sit by me after Hannah had to leave and before Ali could get there. She brought me a smoothie from Wawa and sat patiently until I was past enough pain to fall asleep. She was also a huge support during the summer leading up to the surgery. Emily Rolston surprised me with two visits last summer, one shortly after my diagnosis and one shortly after my surgery. She made me focus on something other than cancer, she made sure I knew I was supported.
For my parents. They drove across the country from Minnesota days after my surgery and were able to stay with me for a week, helping to take care of me. They took me to the doctor, they got me out of the house, they took me out to eat, they made me food, they made me laugh, they made sure I was taken care of. And they allowed me to focus on life outside of cancer. They are simply the best.
For the rest of my siblings, Emma, Jack, and Dana (and my nephew, Tucker Man!), thank you for every single gift, every single cute photo of the pets or Tucker, every single text, every single phone call, every drink, for everything. Thank you for always working to bring a smile to my face. Who could ask for more?
To my grandparents, Grandpa Davis, and Grandpa and Grandma Hagen, thank you for constantly checking in on me. Thank you for making time for meals and conversation when I'm able to visit Minnesota, and thank you for focusing on how I'm doing as a person rather than a person with cancer. What a gift to have these grandparents!
For the rest of my family - Steve, Nancy, Bob, Joe, Kari, Jenna, Corrie, Kris, Greg, Julia, Lauren, John, Lea, all the pets, and everyone else in the Hagen-Davis and Third Avenue (neighborhoods are families after all!) families not named here. Thank you for the gifts, calls, check-ins, love, and support. I am so, so lucky to have the family I have. It is an embarrassment of riches.
For all the people who donated to my Go Fund Me campaign (thanks to Ali for creating it!), thank you, thank you, thank you. I couldn't work for two months, and it's difficult to get financial help as a freelancer. I am fortunate to have pretty good health insurance, but there are still bills and co-pays that pile up. Without your generous support, I don't know how I would have made it through to where I am now.
To all my co-workers/colleagues/teammates of the past year - my fellow stage managers, my actors, my directors, my production teams, my designers, my administrators, and everyone in between - ALL OF YOU. THANK YOU! I received and continue to receive an outpouring of understanding and support from everyone I have worked with and continue to work with. I was able to finish a contract before my surgery, and I was able to successfully stage manage three (!!!) shows while going through chemo and radiation. I could not have done it without a TON of support from the people I am lucky to work with everyday. People who never questioned helping me when I needed it most. My PSF friends and my Quintessence family and everyone in between, I send you all so much gratitude.
To everyone and anyone who has sent me any amount of love and support in the past year, thank you! I know I missed shouting out specifically to some of you in the previous paragraphs, and I want to make sure everyone is covered. Know that I did not skip anyone intentionally. To those of you who have sent me gifts (my weighted blanket from PSF 2018 friends!; my photo book and Amazon gift card from my HVSF SM friends; and so, so much more from many others!!!), to those of you who have sent me cards, to those of you who have sent me well-wishes via text, email, phone, or Facebook, to those of you who have left kind comments when I post updates, to those of you who have thought about me for even a moment in the past year, THANK YOU SO MUCH! I am unbelievably lucky. I have the best communities of family, friends, teammates, and colleagues. I have never felt alone. I am so lucky.
And last but not least, to my medical team. To every doctor and nurse and receptionist; I truly have the best care team that one could dream of in my situation. They have all been optimistic and they have always urged me to remain positive and keep going. It's a blessing to have been given the medical team I have been given.
The last year has been tough, no doubt about that. But the last year has also shown me how fortunate I am for the people in my life. I only wish the rest of the world could always feel as loved and supported as I feel. I, again, didn't mean to leave anyone out, and I hope EVERYONE knows how thankful I am for each and every person who has passed through my life in the past year. I will continue on into the next year with love and thanks, always. To all the good things and to all the bad things, thank you for the life I have.
Onwards and upwards!
Love, Maggie
-The Eleventh Doctor, Doctor Who
It's been awhile since a big update, and now seems like as good a time as any.
One year ago tomorrow, June 7, 2018, I received my cancer diagnosis. It's been a whirlwind of a year to say the least, and I've been blessed with a pile of good things and bad things, as the Doctor says, and, luckily, the good have far outweighed the bad.
Dates have been unimportant to me; I don't want to focus my energy in remembering which dates I had biopsies, which date I got my diagnosis, and which dates I've had treatment. I don't want to focus on that. I had to go back to look at my calendar to even figure out which day I received my diagnosis. In fact, the other day in Dr. Morrissey's (my plastic surgeon) office, he asked me when I finished radiation. I had no clue. I've chosen to focus on my life, rather than on my cancer, and it has been the right choice for me.
As far as a health update goes, I am doing very well. I am finished with all active treatment, and I'm now taking a well-known estrogen blocking drug, Tamoxifen, for 10 years. I'm getting stronger and less tired everyday, which is fantastic. Looking ahead, I mostly have reconstruction left post mastectomy. Around March 2020, I will be able to get my implants in. For now, I will focus on healing and resting and living life to its fullest.
A year later, I want to dedicate this post to every single person that has helped me get through this past year. There are too many to name and remember, and I am humbled by all the love and support I've received. But I do want to touch on a few particular people and groups of people I am thankful for. These paragraphs are mostly in order of the timeline of my last year.
I want to thank my dear friend of 10 years, Jared, for being there for me from the moment this all began. I received my diagnosis in the middle of a rehearsal, and he was the first one I told, as he met me outside of the rehearsal studio after receiving a text from me. I immediately knew I had to tell him, and he immediately gave me the support I needed (along with a couple shots of whiskey). Jared, in turn, allowed me to stay at his house during my surgery recovery so I could be near my doctors rather than commuting back and forth from Philadelphia. He helped take care of me, and he made me laugh when I thought I'd never be able to laugh again. He made sure I had a special birthday just 12 days post surgery, and there were plenty of days of Netflix binging together. He drove me to appointments, and listened as Dr. Nakajima explained the chemo and radiation I had to do. I will never be able to thank him enough.
I also want to thank Jared's family, who also gave me an immense amount of support. His mother, Mary, and their family friend, Mary (a cancer survivor herself), sat down with me to talk about what was coming ahead. They gave me practical tips, like telling me to invest in button-up clothes because I would have difficulty lifting my arms post surgery. Jared's parents sent us breakfast on the morning after I was discharged from the hospital, and Jared's Mom, Mary, has continued to check up on me and research topics pertinent to my situation. She was a nurse after all, and she has remained a fantastic support and source of information.
For my friend and Philly roommate, Ali, I cannot begin to express my gratitude. She was the second person to know of my diagnosis, and never doubted that I would make it through. This amazing woman was with me the day I was discharged from the hospital, and she drove me (in my pajamas and nauseous from Percocet) to my first doctor appointment directly after my hospital discharge. She learned how to take care of my drains, and she helped me with them for several days while also helping me dress my scars. She made sure that my in-home nurse care was scheduled. And she has kept me going everyday for the past year, my constant cheerleader.
To my sister, Hannah. Hannah came into town the weekend before my surgery. She helped me pack up from my summer job, move my belongings to my storage unit, and shop for supplies and new outfits before surgery. She accompanied me to my final pre-surgery appointments, came with me to the hospital on the day of the surgery, waited in the waiting room all day, and then stayed the first night with me. It was comforting to have her with me, and we made sure to share ice cream for every meal from the cafeteria. :-)
For my Emily's, Baver and Rolston. Emily Baver came to visit me in the hospital and sit by me after Hannah had to leave and before Ali could get there. She brought me a smoothie from Wawa and sat patiently until I was past enough pain to fall asleep. She was also a huge support during the summer leading up to the surgery. Emily Rolston surprised me with two visits last summer, one shortly after my diagnosis and one shortly after my surgery. She made me focus on something other than cancer, she made sure I knew I was supported.
For my parents. They drove across the country from Minnesota days after my surgery and were able to stay with me for a week, helping to take care of me. They took me to the doctor, they got me out of the house, they took me out to eat, they made me food, they made me laugh, they made sure I was taken care of. And they allowed me to focus on life outside of cancer. They are simply the best.
For the rest of my siblings, Emma, Jack, and Dana (and my nephew, Tucker Man!), thank you for every single gift, every single cute photo of the pets or Tucker, every single text, every single phone call, every drink, for everything. Thank you for always working to bring a smile to my face. Who could ask for more?
To my grandparents, Grandpa Davis, and Grandpa and Grandma Hagen, thank you for constantly checking in on me. Thank you for making time for meals and conversation when I'm able to visit Minnesota, and thank you for focusing on how I'm doing as a person rather than a person with cancer. What a gift to have these grandparents!
For the rest of my family - Steve, Nancy, Bob, Joe, Kari, Jenna, Corrie, Kris, Greg, Julia, Lauren, John, Lea, all the pets, and everyone else in the Hagen-Davis and Third Avenue (neighborhoods are families after all!) families not named here. Thank you for the gifts, calls, check-ins, love, and support. I am so, so lucky to have the family I have. It is an embarrassment of riches.
For all the people who donated to my Go Fund Me campaign (thanks to Ali for creating it!), thank you, thank you, thank you. I couldn't work for two months, and it's difficult to get financial help as a freelancer. I am fortunate to have pretty good health insurance, but there are still bills and co-pays that pile up. Without your generous support, I don't know how I would have made it through to where I am now.
To all my co-workers/colleagues/teammates of the past year - my fellow stage managers, my actors, my directors, my production teams, my designers, my administrators, and everyone in between - ALL OF YOU. THANK YOU! I received and continue to receive an outpouring of understanding and support from everyone I have worked with and continue to work with. I was able to finish a contract before my surgery, and I was able to successfully stage manage three (!!!) shows while going through chemo and radiation. I could not have done it without a TON of support from the people I am lucky to work with everyday. People who never questioned helping me when I needed it most. My PSF friends and my Quintessence family and everyone in between, I send you all so much gratitude.
To everyone and anyone who has sent me any amount of love and support in the past year, thank you! I know I missed shouting out specifically to some of you in the previous paragraphs, and I want to make sure everyone is covered. Know that I did not skip anyone intentionally. To those of you who have sent me gifts (my weighted blanket from PSF 2018 friends!; my photo book and Amazon gift card from my HVSF SM friends; and so, so much more from many others!!!), to those of you who have sent me cards, to those of you who have sent me well-wishes via text, email, phone, or Facebook, to those of you who have left kind comments when I post updates, to those of you who have thought about me for even a moment in the past year, THANK YOU SO MUCH! I am unbelievably lucky. I have the best communities of family, friends, teammates, and colleagues. I have never felt alone. I am so lucky.
And last but not least, to my medical team. To every doctor and nurse and receptionist; I truly have the best care team that one could dream of in my situation. They have all been optimistic and they have always urged me to remain positive and keep going. It's a blessing to have been given the medical team I have been given.
The last year has been tough, no doubt about that. But the last year has also shown me how fortunate I am for the people in my life. I only wish the rest of the world could always feel as loved and supported as I feel. I, again, didn't mean to leave anyone out, and I hope EVERYONE knows how thankful I am for each and every person who has passed through my life in the past year. I will continue on into the next year with love and thanks, always. To all the good things and to all the bad things, thank you for the life I have.
Onwards and upwards!
Love, Maggie
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