Journal entry by Nina Stillman —
Ok. We made it!!!!!!! Last post! This has been the longest 9 months of my life. I am cancer free, recovering (almost 100%) after reconstruction surgery, and finally getting back to my regular routine!! I start anti estrogen treatment now and keep it up for 5 years and hopefully that is it. I always have a chance of a recurrence but my doctors and the treatments that I have undergone make that chance somewhere between 2-5% over the course of 20 years. I can definitely live with that.
I really have all of my Chicago friends and supporters and all of you, and other friends from near and far to thank for helping me make it through with a positive attitude. Your calls, texts, cards and just making me laugh meant and means more than you know. I have said it before because it’s true!!!! . Knowing that someone is thinking of you, supporting and cheering you on in a crappy and lonely situation is amazing. It gave me strength and hope and put a smile on my face. Thank you thank you thank you thank you thank you!!!!!
The last thing I will say is please get a mammogram each year. Don’t skip your appointment. Please also educate your young sons and daughters about breast cancer. Help normalize the conversations. Help them learn to advocate for themselves in any medical situation. These are the things that helped my situation be as positive as it could be and as early detected as it was. I had to make my GP call and make my mammogram appointment because I had been rescheduled and turned away during Covid twice. I hadn’t had a mammogram in 10 years. I again. am incredibly lucky, with that much time passing I definitely could have been in a much later stage of cancer. Also, check yourself each month- Feel ‘‘em on the First, Feel ‘em up Fridays, Monthly Mammary check. Whatever phrase makes you remember!!!!!
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