Another milestone or two…

Apr 19, 20225 min read

365 = Days… since my last chemo treatment

YES… it’s been exactly one year ago today that I received my last chemo treatment! I remember it as if it were last week, but at the same time it seems ages ago! So much has changed since that day, and I’m forever grateful for the amazing staff who got me through those 16 treatments!

16 = Months… since my last hair cut, Dec 30, which was a very hard day for me

Which leads me to the main reason for posting today…

a year anniversary = a perfect day to transform… i.e. transformation Tuesday!

I've needed a new look… one that I chose! It’s still not quite long enough for the ‘do’ I’m thinking of, but I seriously needed a change… and today seemed like the perfect day to do so!

A little insight about my hair story.

I loved my hair, it defined me, and I believe it was one of my better features. For my entire life (pretty much anyway) my hair style has always been my choice… (not sure if the pixie haircut in 4th grade was my choice, lol), but I’ve had many styles throughout the years…

long, wavy, curled, straight,

pigtails, ponytails, French braids, short and puffy,

the Farrah Fawcett hair, the 80’s big hair, and so many others!

Until I had none!

I didn’t choose to be bald, nor would most. I’m not saying it’s a bad thing, it’s just not for me! However, I had to accept it and deal with it, with the comment I heard most often... 'it'll grow back'! It was the dead of winter so to keep my noggin warm I mostly wore beanies and/or hoodies throughout. I discovered wearing both at the same time gave me a ‘baddass’ look, which I actually liked! Over the past year, my hair has slowly returned… yet quite a different look than before. Crazy curly gray hair with a mind of it’s own. I get lots of compliments, but at this time in my life, it’s just not me. So today my hairdresser gave me a new ‘do’! It’s the first step towards a new style, and will change again over the coming months/years as it grows, but it will be MY choice. I guess I never realized how much of a ‘hair control freak’ I am. I’ve definitely had my share of ‘bad hair days’ this last year, and now hoping to have more ‘better hair days’ ahead. Thanks to my amazing hairdresser for being there for me, and with me, throughout my hair journey.

Dec 30, 2020 Apr 19, 2021 Apr 19, 2022

A lot has happened since my last post in November, too much to write about now, so I plan to post more regularly again. But actually I haven’t posted anything for a couple reasons. I felt there really wasn’t a lot to post about, but also I’ve struggled a bit with who am I now? what's my new role in life? am I an advocate? or do I try to forget? how do I move on? what does the next chapter look like?

But as with most things in life, balance is key… at least that’s my philosophy and how I try to justify my decisions. So I’m adjusting… trying to live a well-balanced life while discovering the new me and balancing all of the above, sometimes possibly looking like a circus act... lol!

I’ve had a number of appointments over the past few months… here’s how they went:

November 2021… had my first Zometa infusion. It’s to help boost my bone density since a side effect of Anastrozole (which I’m taking daily for 5 years) actually depletes bone density. I’ve learned through all of this, everything has a side effect… everything! At least one… most often lots! Anyway, the infusion went well, so I’m scheduled for another one next month. I will do this every 6 months for 3 years.
December 2021… met with my Plastic Surgeon. All is good, and I will see her again in August.
December 2021… met with my Oncologist. My labs were a little wonky, but nothing too far out of range… will keep an eye on it!
January 2022… met with my primary care doctor. Hadn’t seen her since my initial diagnosis. It was good to see her and the appointment went well.
February 2022… had some annual exams and labs with a few results a little outside the norm. Ugh! I’m told it has a lot to do with all the different treatments I’ve received over the last year, so again, we’re just keeping an eye on it!
February 2022… met with my Oncology Surgeon. It went well.
March 2022… met with my Oncologist. My labs were less wonky, so we were very happy about that.

Regarding side effects… I’m still experiencing the same ones as the last post. They are still a daily reminder of what I've been through, and I’m still hoping they fade away someday.

We all know family or friends or both

who have been diagnosed with something…

every disease is different,

every story is different,

every journey is different.

But this remains true for all… never give up!

231 = Days… since I retired!

Fun times since my last post!

November – had a wonderful week at Donner Lake, then a fun weekend in Chico
November – spent a long weekend wine tasting with friends along the central coast
November – went to a Kings game
November – Thanksgiving in Colorado... so blessed
December – an amazing CorkScrew Cancer Paint Night in my honor… thank you LM, the CorkScrew Gang and everyone who came out and/or supported our fundraiser for City of Hope
December – Christmas in Colorado and Chico... and such wonderful memories
December – dislocated my collarbone (fyi, not fun)
January – another fun week in Chico
February – a long weekend along the central coast
February – a 5k walk for SmileTrain
March – had a Pickle Ball lesson
March – a long weekend in Chico watching little soccer players
April – a week in Colorado with family and celebrating Easter
April – a weekend spent in Pismo to Paso, wine tasting with friends
Weekly – I’ve also started walking with a fun little group in the hood… as well as joining them bi-weekly to exercise! It’s a win win… getting to hang out with friends while working on our muscles!