Wow… I can’t believe it’s been 6 months since I have blogged!! For those that aren’t on Instagram and getting daily updates here’s what I have been up to!
DIEP Flap surgery back in July was complex!! Surgery was a sh!t show lol and recovery was way way harder than I had expected. I basically sat in a recliner the entire summer (whomp whomp)! I had a raging UTI post surgery and pelvic issues. The baton was passed from urgent care, PCP, urology, gynecology, and then back to my surgeon who couldn’t find anything wrong… I was FINALLY referred to the correct person… a pelvic floor specialists!! This Friday will be my 4th session with Lauren and I love her! She does deep massage, cupping and electrical stim. She’s also helping me with range of motion which is limited in my right arm/chest.
Oh I fried my chest in October lol! I had 23 rounds of radiation. Every day at 8 am, Monday through Friday. Fun times!! The biggest complaint was how exhausted I felt ALL the time! I finished radiation and rang my LAST bell on October 29th! (Well let’s pray it’s the last one)! Radiation burns got bad 5 days after radiation. Open areas under my armpit and it was just so painful!! I had to cover the burns with dressings and there were 2-3 days I couldn’t do anything but lay on the couch with my arm out to the side. It was brutal!! BUT it’s amazing how quickly the skin healed after 2ish weeks!
I went back to work December 11th!!!Hallelujah!! Being on the other side as the patient was getting REAL old! Love being a nurse!
Happy Holidays!!! And Happy New Year! My goal this year is to focus on my health. I’m usually not great at this… I think it’s the nurse in me that wants to help everyone else and my health tends to take the back burner. But it’s so important I put my health first! Some easy daily goals I put in place are….
- Drink more water (1 liter a day)!
- Exercise 30 minutes a day (lately it’s been treadmill walking which I have been enjoying).
- Eat healthy! Continue smoothies and really focus on fueling my body with healthy foods!
Oh… fun fact! I stopped drinking alcohol and have been sober for 10 months! (Shocker… I know)! Never thought I would A. Want to stop or B. Have the courage to. Drinking is such a huge part of socializing and thoughts flooded my brain… What will my friends think? Will I even have fun without alcohol? Will I feel left out? Those thoughts and fears ultimately got pushed aside because I knew my health was more important. My cancer is hormone positive meaning estrogen feeds my cancer. Alcohol increases your estrogen levels and increases your risk of recurrence. Also… did you know alcohol is a group 1 carcinogen? It’s just not worth the risk at this stage of my journey…too risky! The crazy part is I don’t miss it AT ALL… I feel empowered to take control of my health and so proud of myself! And come to find out my friends could care less and just want what’s best for me… I still have so much fun at social gatherings and I don’t feel left out at all… I’m learning there are actually a LOT of people who don’t drink! And some who have chose to stop because of my story which is pretty cool!
I started a new medication called Verzenio! I’m on day 12… the side effects aren’t great. Lots of nausea and GI issues… I mean just use your imagination lol! But I’m hanging in there and taking anti-nausea meds twice a day which has been helpful. I really hope I can stick with it… it inhibits cancer cells from growing so I’m going to fight hard to stay on this med. I even stopped drinking coffee… I know I know… who even am I?!? Lol!! But it’s helping with side effects so fingers crossed. And the Exemestane (hormone med) is going well! Really haven’t had any issues.
The last 10 months have been HARD… so hard! But I’m alive after fighting breast cancer TWO times!! Like holy crap… I feel so lucky to be here! I have the gift of being a Mom to the 2 most amazing children and a wife to my supportive and loving husband who continues to stand by my side no matter what hits us. These 3 people mean the world to me and the reason I fight so hard! I love you Jamie, Andi & Zacky! You are my EVERYTHING!
HUGE thank you to my family, friends, and community for coming together and financially helping us out the past year. I had the gift of staying home and not working during cancer treatment which most women can’t say. I’m extremely thankful!
I plan on writing again soon… so many emotions lately! So much to share!
Thank you for reading my blog!!
KPOW
Kelly’s Breast Cancer Blog 🎀 