I’m Here, I’m Here

Yes, I‘m here. Perhaps a bit behind, but I am here. I have been so busy, and as much as I have been meaning to update this, the end of the day comes and I am beat. Just exhausted and wiped out. Perhaps that’s a good thing though, seems like things are getting even more back on track and back to “normal”. My new normal that is.

I have 42 days until my next surgery. Wow. That isn’t long. Not long at all. I scheduled an appointment today for my next CT scan which will be in about a month. I thought I no longer needed scans. Hmmm. It’s like, just kidding, go fuck yourself. We are still going to poke at you. Test you. Great. But then again, these continued tests will be constant reassurances that my cancer is gone and I’ll take that. Let me do whatever it is I need to do and what the doctors say so I never have to deal with this cancer bullshit again. 

So an overall update on how I have been feeling, and all the good and bad stuff. All in all, I have been feeling pretty decent. I have my moments where my arm bothers me and it’s sore for whatever unknown reason. Then there’s my inner thigh that occasionally acts up and feels like I pulled a muscle, and then I walk around limping. That shit isn’t cool. I think sometimes I over do it because I think I can do everything! then that shit reminds me that I can’t. 

I am going to just keep trucking. I can only be up from here…….

One More Chapter Offically Closed

It is an exciting time, as I have closed yet another chapter in this battle, journey, walk, whatever you want to call it. It actually closed three weeks ago, little did I know, until the other day.

I was at my oncologist for my last chemo treatment on April 6, 2023. How nice to be able to close that chapter. Move on to the next phase in all of this;  as it turns out, my last chemo treatment was on March 17, 2023. The change was due to my insurance issues (I am on COBRA as of 04.01.2023, but ll of that has not yet been finalized yet, therefore I suffer). 

I did have my labs drawn and met with my oncologist for my office visit. So that in itself is great. Despite not being able to have my "last" chemo treatment, my oncologist assured me, and mentioned he would bet his career on it, that my success rate with one less treatment, doesn't change. I am still in the same position. Wonderful. That was great to hear because that was certainly a concern of mine. My lab work showed my thyroid is still out of whack, although the medication appears to be helping. The medication may need to be adjusted and I am awaiting an answer on that (that part of my labs wasn't available when I had my office visit, it takes a bit longer than some other blood work results). My oncologist and I discussed my thyroid issue in itself. He said this is a side effect of the Keytruda, and may be a lifelong issue to deal with. Ugh, fucking great. Another medication, forever? Christ. How many pills can I pop at a time? This sounds like a challenge. Anyways, I go back in 2 months for a follow-up visit, so let's wait and see what happens then.

So now I sit and wait. My next step, the next major thing on my agenda is my reconstructive surgery (DIEP flap), which is scheduled for 06.06.2023. In the meantime, I have some other doctor appointments. I have appointments with my breast surgeon and plastic surgeon that I am completely aware of. Do I have other appointments? Honestly who fucking knows right now.

I am still sleeping seemingly more than I expected but when I mentioned it to my oncologist, he didn't seem to be alarmed by this. So I sleep when I need to for as long as I need to. I am hoping one of these days, I can sleep like a "normal" person and just a regular amount of hours.

I have lost some weight. Nothing to snub your nose at, but I am also not in line to be a Weight Watchers spokesperson. I have lost 8 pounds over the last 6 weeks. Cool. I will take that and consider it a win. Let's hope there is more of that to come.

In the meantime, I am going to keep it moving, until it's time to stop.

Happy Easter all!!