chemo 7 & surgical update
I like to celebrate every win - big or small. Even before cancer invaded my life. So, it’s no surprise I celebrated learning that I can in fact keep my nipple!!!! This is huge news and most women do not get this fortune if facing a mastectomy. I feel lucky - which is no small feat in this situation. But, thank you tumor hoe for deciding to form far enough away that I’ll forever keep my nipple! TMI for you? Well, you’ll have to get over it - or stop reading.
I saw my fav doctor - my surgical oncologist last week for a follow up appointment. He did an ultrasound and confirmed - the tumor is shrinking! Chemo is working!! This is a huge relief - I can feel it shrinking. However, it’s only about 1cm smaller. Which seems impossible to me. I was hoping it was almost gone by now. My hope is to get away with a lumpectomy instead of a mastectomy. So, keep the prayers and good vibes. I have 9 more chemos to kill this hoe.
In January I will do another MRI. Then, my surgeon will meet with colleagues and my reconstructive surgeon to put together a game plan. My final chemo will be mid-February and then I’ll have four weeks off from treatments to recuperate before surgery. Sadly, my doctors did not approve a trip to Mexico during those four weeks. They are kind of lame.
I know I’ve said this a million times - but my friends and Mumma are seriously angels. I can’t fathom what I’ve done to deserve them. At every turn they read my mind and swoop in with just what I need. Chemo 7 was no different.
This week for chemo I had to go to a different location. My clinic moved on the day of my infusion so they shuffled me over to the Johnston Willis location. I knew this was coming - but I do not like change. It sounds so silly but I’m not in a routine and I know what to expect at my clinic, with my nurses. Seeing the familiar faces of strangers and knowing we’re all pisssed that we’re there but trudging through together. I didn’t know what to expect and everything from just what does the place look like was worrying me. Throughout the last 6 weeks my chemo bag has been filled with goodies from everyone - snacks, activities, and even a personalized crossword puzzle. I read every single card almost every visit now. Y’all’s words get me through the scary times.
Lindy surprised me Friday morning - swinging by with sweet Puddle and a bag of amazing goodies. And suddenly I knew I could do this. There’s just something about everyone conspiring to make sure I know I am so loved - and believe me, I am so very loved. Which, I had to pull from that love when I arrived at the clinic and they quickly informed me my mom couldn’t even wait in the waiting room until I went back. We both cried. It’s hard facing chemo alone - but especially hard when you’re in a new place. It was also time for my second shot to shut down my ovaries. This shot is big, and painful, and it takes forever to administer in my butt because it’s such a thick liquid mixture. I asked when I got back to my chair if at the end my mom could come back for the Elleguard shot - they said no without any hesitation. So, I popped another Xanax about halfway through and sleepily took that butt dart like a champ.
After a long nap post chemo, Leslie came by with cupcakes and gorgeous flowers. I just don’t know what I did to deserve them but everyone needs friends like mine.
I’m so very thankful I felt good after my afternoon nap and bundled up for Sky’s last Football game cheering on the sidelines!
Now, I’m starting a new week - of course anxious to see the new clinic location but ready to put yet another chemo behind me.
