Category Archives: Uncategorized

Why is it that we — or at least I do — get introspective at the year’s end? After all, we’ll all wake up tomorrow with the same issues, the same joys, the same disappointments, the same life we have today. And yet… as Princess Leia said when she received the plans to the DeathContinue reading “Getting back on track…”

July, August, September, October… four whole months of normalcy and back on track with the New Things plan. Life is good! In July, I met up with my friend, Kathleen, at Perdido Beach, Alabama, for a couple of quick days of visiting and catching up. Never been to Perdido Beach, so that was new. WeContinue reading “Something new…”

Done! What a lovely word, uttered at the end of an achievement or task. Done. No more treatments, beyond that pesky little pill I have to take for another four and a half years. But the hard part is DONE! Now I settle into a routine of checkups and just one more scheduled procedure, toContinue reading “And now for something completely different…”

Three times in the past month I’ve been reminded that it’s been a while since the last update: apologies. All is well; in fact, all is very well! Five infusion treatments to go then back to what will be “normal” for a while, more frequent mammograms and extended hormone therapy. All blood work looks greatContinue reading “Only a handful left…”

A year ago I was getting ready for a week-long trip to celebrate turning 60. The trip was great, and I had such expectations for a fun year filled with new adventures! While it all started out that way, life took a big detour in April when I was diagnosed with breast cancer. On theContinue reading “Another trip around the sun”

While napping through what I hope is my last chemo nausea this weekend, it hit me that this really is moving forward. It’s been a tough summer, frankly. While I was prepared for nausea and fatigue, the staph infection wasn’t exactly in my plans. Then, about a month ago, the six weeks of antibiotics gotContinue reading “Phase 2 is a wrap!”

These last few weeks have been both challenging and a blessing. Silly me, thinking I had this whole chemo thing figured out. But as of last Friday I’ve had my sixth of 12 weekly chemo treatments, so halfway home with this Phase 2 of treatment. But first, a hiccup from Phase 1: surgery. Not sureContinue reading “Halfway home!”

Apparently, it takes a village to get through cancer treatment, just as it does to raise a child. I am so thankful to have such a wonderful village surrounding me! Whether you are near and have seen me or talked with me or far away and have encouraged through cards, letters, numerous care packages, orContinue reading “It takes a village…”

Two weeks post-op and all is well! Preparing for surgery was easy: don’t eat after midnight and shower with some antiseptic body wash, which was no big deal. Checked into the hospital at 8 a.m., as requested, but it was closer to 2:30 p.m. before I actually left the room to head to the operatingContinue reading “And they’re off! Well, they’re not actually off, just smaller.”

Surgery is tomorrow. It’s been a whirlwind these last few weeks, getting things together, talking to doctors and nurses and random hospital employees to get things set up. I think I’ve said “I have cancer” about a million times, and still not sure it’s totally sunk in. The things is… I feel fine! Really, IContinue reading “And so it begins…”