We had a great long weekend away and perfect ending to the summer. We had beautiful weather, enjoyed five days at the beach, saw dolphins in the ocean, played the arcades, visited a brewery and winery and relaxed.
I normally hate heading home. I miss the beach, I miss summer and while the fall weather is nice it’s just a crazy time of year: the boys start school, soccer starts with the boys on different teams and in different leagues, Reese starts dance, I will eventually return to work after having another minor surgery to put back an expander since I had an infection last month.
But I’m not as sad as usual this year because I have a lot to be thankful for. This year was all about survival and I’m so grateful for the chance to spend time with my family at one of our favorite places.
I also have something very big to be thankful for…something I have known following my double mastectomy and been afraid to share because well it’s what we had hoped the outcome would be following my treatment:
I am cancer free!!
I’ve been through a lot to get here: 16 rounds of chemo, a double mastectomy, a trip and stay in the ER due to neutropenic fever, allergic reactions to two of my last chemo treatments, a short bout with Covid, an infection and open incision and unplanned additional surgery. Oh and I also had a baby a few months into my treatment.
The hair loss, fatigue, nausea and many, many doctor appointments have all been worth it as I got the best possible results and outcome we were so desperately hoping for.
I’m still nervous. I know the first five years are critical and I pray we don’t have a recurrence. There is still anxiety and fear that this could happen again and a constant worry about my health that I never had until this cancer diagnosis. But I’ve made it through the hardest battle I’ve ever faced.
This would not have been possible without the work of an incredible medical team including my oncologist and breast surgeon and maternal fetal medicine who helped ensure Bryce was ok and an incredibly caring obgyn who helped me navigate through all this and got me started in treatment right away.
This is also possible thanks to all the support I’ve had from family and friends. Thanks for all the comments, messages and texts of support. You have no idea how much they meant to me.
Thanks to my family who have had to help more than ever including my mother in law who has been over once
a week since she retired to help us out even though she lives an hour away.
And thank you to my husband Chris, my rock who was with me at every chemo appointment (except for the two he couldn’t due to Covid restrictions). Thanks for all you had to do with the kids and in the house when I was unable to because I was too tired or recovering from surgery.
I’ve always considered myself a good team player and I know the value of good teamwork. Thanks to all of you for all your help and support in this incredibly difficult journey. Together you have helped me kick this cancer’s ass!
#cancerfree #breastcancer #triplenegativebreastcancer #pregnantwithcancer #breastcancerbattle #ikickedcancersass #onetoughmother
