Hello to my AN friends!!!
I've been away awhile and wanted my AN family to know that I'm finally done with treatment for BC. My chemo started in in March and ended iin June. Radiaition began in July and the last treatment was August 27!!! This has been quite the ordeal - it is truly amazing what the human body can endure in such a short amount of time. I'm not sure how one goes thru such challenges without love, prayers, and support. There are no guarantees in this life, but let me tell ya - I am moving forward and closing this chapter. I have regular appointments with a host of people to keep a watchful eye on me. My husband will also be watching me like a hawk...and I am very self-aware and will take nothing for granted. I'll start my hormone therapy drug in a week or so - hopefully, I'll tolerate it ok. Arimidex, I believe, is the name of it. I'll take that for at least 5 years. I have met so many breast cancer warriors throughout my ordeal - they have been such an inspiration for me and I am so grateful to have met them. Helluva a reason to cross paths, but nonetheless, I'm thrilled to know them!!!
Can you believe I'm still waiting on this AN incision to heal? I guess with 4 surgeries in the exact same spot during a 12 month period, that thin layer of skin can only take so much...that combined with chemo which trashed my immune system for a good while. Anyway, after I finished the 10 weeks of IV antibiotics, chemo started and they told me to just forget about the incision healing during that. Then came radiation, and the position I had to be in rubbed in just the right place on my head to keep it ruffled up!! So, it's still a mess. I finally am seeing a wound specialist, since there is now no evidence of infection at this point. She is trying all kinds of things to help it along and I'm willing to stand on my head for her at this point! She did say that sometimes, wounds just won't heal for all kinds of reasons. I'm not ready to give up on the healing thing just yet (and thankfully, neither is she - she just wanted to warn me!)
I've continued to work part time since the 2nd chemo treatment and throughout all but the last 2 weeks of radiation. The easy-bake oven finally got to me and had to take some time off, since the dress code at work does not permit topless. But, I go back next Tuesday, fully-clothed and ready to roll!!! I'll stay part time for a few weeks and then I'll be fulltime. My husband and I are going away for the weekend for a nice little getaway - I CANT WAIT!!!!!
Anyway, enough about me. Just wanted to let you all know that I am out of that tunnel and into the light. I've said it before, but I'll say it again....thank you so very much for your prayers, messages, and gifts along the way. I absolutely don't know what I would have done without you...and I'm glad I didn't have to.
Much love,
Kathy
