Yesterday, I had my first mammogram since May 2012 when this
whole breast cancer journey started.
I was anxious about it, and relieved that everything looked clean and
clear—cancer free! I also had an
appointment with my surgeon. He
did a thorough exam and he also gave me a clean bill of health. I return in three months. My physical therapist says that from
interviewing her cancer patients, it takes about seven years before they can
say they don’t think/worry about cancer every day. It was nice to hear that at some point it won’t occupy so
much focus and concern. I am
vigilantly watching for any signs of recurrence anywhere, hoping if it does
come back, we can catch it early enough to prevent harsher steps. I’m thankful that they are checking me
every three months and doing mammograms every six months. It adds to having peace of mind.
My energy continues to build. I feel like I’m at 85% of my normal energy. I’m running/walking with Denise for
about 45 minutes to an hour, 3 days a week, and we are running for more of that
time than walking, so that’s exciting and encouraging. Plus, it seems to increase my energy
for the rest of the day.
My hair continues growing, though the length is hard to
notice since it tends to coil more and more with curls. I’ve tried blow drying it and using a
flat iron. Neither technique has
had an attractive result—about four inches of fuzzy hair sticking straight out,
like the Afros that were popular in the 90’s. So, the easiest method of putting hair products on wet hair,
and then letting it curl up and do it’s natural thing is working best at this
point. Since they say it will be
curly for about 2 years, I’m trying to decide if I should try growing it out,
or just keep it short. With the
curl, it may look short no matter what I decide. It’s fun experiencing a new kind of hair. It’s thick and very curly.
Last year we kicked off this whole cancer journey with
“Shave the Date,” a party to celebrate baldness, where everyone wore a hat or a
wig. I’d mentioned to several
people last year that we’d do it again this year, as a celebration that it was
all behind us. Here we are, a year
later, and it really is all behind us.
It’s really exciting! Every
day I feel even better. But, as I
thought about the party that was so much fun, I felt embarrassed to have thrown
a big party, sort of just for myself.
Who does that kind of thing?!
It was really helpful at the time, and really fun. So, today we are having a party again,
and I will personally be celebrating yesterday’s great news, but the party is
simply a “Celebrate Summer” gathering, perhaps now an annual celebration. I’ll be celebrating the wonderful
friends and family who have been so supportive through this journey,
celebrating the opportunity I’ve had to share my experience with others going through similar journeys, and celebrating my faith in my Heavenly Father
and His son Jesus Christ. That
faith has helped me feel peace throughout the storms of this past year. There are so many things to celebrate this summer!
