Hello! 👋 As a woman who had breast cancer twice in her thirties, I have a few requests of you this October.
Category Archives: Health
To Those Who Came Before Us: Sharing My Story
It was an honor to share my personal story with attendees at fellow-survivor Marge Morena’s 6th annual Marge Madness fundraiser luncheon. The event, and her nonprofit, raises money for the UNC REX Mobile Mammogram Unit, which helps provide mammograms and follow-on care as needed to North Carolina underserved and uninsured women, especially for Black andContinueContinue reading “To Those Who Came Before Us: Sharing My Story”
Life After Cancer: Fear or Instinct?
I have spent seven years wondering if cancer broke my gut instinct. With every ache or pain, or thought of a long-term life dream, I would consider recurrence. What if it comes back?
Am I Done Blogging?
At the end of 2017, I started really digging into my genetic mutation. I was doing a lot of research, being connected with some amazing thought leaders and learning a lot. Research changes so quickly that it was interesting to see how much more is known now than when I was originally identified as having an ATM mutation. Unfortunately, I was also learning how much we still really don’t know.
One Year Since My Last Surgery
One year ago today, I finished the surgical process for breast reconstruction. My amazing plastic surgeon removed my tissue expanders and placed my final, 550-cc implants. I only say the size because some people don’t get that after this process, I literally don’t have breast tissue, you have an implant in the place of what was there.
My Number One Tip to Surviving Cancer
If I could offer only one tip to someone who had just been diagnosed with cancer, it would be to find a way to connect with other survivors. That has hands down been the most instrumental key to getting through this without losing my mind completely.
To boil it down simply, no one else understands.
Cancer Made Me Crazy
No one prepared me for the anxiety and depression that would come with finishing the medical side of this journey. Even before reconstruction, I started becoming obsessive about things. Everything felt beyond my control. My husband would ask if I wanted to invite such and such over to watch football tonight. NOPE. That would be very stressful, what would we feed them, what would I wear, would I be able to act normal? Plus it would take effort and I just didn’t feel like it. Some days I just wanted to mope.
A Toast to My CoSurvivor: Happy Birthday, Luke!
Luke has carried me through cancer and recovery all while managing his own busy life and career. I can confidently say, cancer picked the wrong duo to f*ck with. WE kicked its ass. Luke survived it and continues to survive it just as much as I did and do. He’s my cosurvivor. This year was supposed to be whimsical and adventurous and turns out, it’s been exactly that. It’s all about perspective and I am so thankful that Luke has helped me keep mine.
Today is his birthday so please join me in shouting from the rooftops how glad we are that he was born. I love you, Luke Payne. I am so thankful to be yours.
Breast Reconstruction: So what is actually happening right now?
The most commonly misunderstood piece of my whole journey has definitely been breast reconstruction. Everyone can clearly understand cutting out the cancer. What happens next is very mysterious. Kudos to those of you who feel comfortable asking just what exactly is going on with me now. When everyone else’s heads swivel around to hear my answer, it’s helped me to recognize how little people know about this process and how helpful it might be if I detailed it here. Stick with me though, it’s not a short process to explain.
Catching You Up After My (Unintentional) Two-Month Hiatus
This was not an intentional hiatus, life has just been crazy but I have REALLY missed connecting through my blog. Since it’s been TWO MONTHS since my last post, here’s what you missed.