While I have no regrets that I gave the green light for my hysterectomy back on September 18, 2017, the ongoing effects of the removal of my ovaries have caused a great deal of consternation. I had some frame of reference for what menopause would look like, but no good resources on how surgical menopause … Continue reading Surgical Menopause
Author: Abigail Johnston
I'm a daughter, a wife, a mother, and I've been living with Stage IV Metastatic Breast Cancer since March, 2017. All of the words I publish are my own.
Chiropractic Care during Cancer Treatment
Let me first say that I'm not a doctor, nor do I have any medical training whatsoever. This blog is not meant to give any sort of medical advice only to share my personal experiences and shed light on what I view as important information. That's it. Read further at your own risk. I have … Continue reading Chiropractic Care during Cancer Treatment
Insurance
My first introduction to the world of insurance was as a personal injury attorney. I will forever be offended by the term "ambulance chaser" since that was never part of my experience as a lawyer representing people who were genuinely harmed in a variety of ways, but that is the stereotype. During my tenure as … Continue reading Insurance
Cancerversary #2
On March 8, 2017, I heard those fateful words "You have breast cancer." It has now been two whole years since that day and everything is so very different now. But how to talk about that? Am I a happier person? Nope Am I angry? Yep Am I depressed/anxious? Yep Do I think about death … Continue reading Cancerversary #2
Dealing with Pain, Part II
As you probably guessed from my previous post, I have resisted including narcotics and other interventions that would be considered "Western" medicine in favor of including alternative/complimentary remedies. I don't do this lightly and, while I am not a doctor, I have become an expert on my own body and being in tune with what/how … Continue reading Dealing with Pain, Part II
Dealing with Pain, Part I
Dealing with pain is constant trial and error. Different pain, different body parts, and different biological mechanisms means that I am always experimenting with various remedies. These are my favorite, in no particular order ... Medical Marijuana. Before I was in pain, I didn't understand the big deal about medical marijuana. I'd never tried anything … Continue reading Dealing with Pain, Part I
Pain
This picture is theoretically what my bones look like now--the tumors have been killed off or are dying, but what is left are literally holes in what should be solid. I'm hopeful that the medication I take daily has helped, but breast cancer eats bone. It eats it. Before I found out that I have … Continue reading Pain
Treating Cognitive Issues
Once my neuro-psychological testing revealed a 20 point IQ drop, the next step was to discuss treatment. The areas identified as deficient have to do with recall, processing speed and executive functioning; exactly the areas I'd reported issues with. I was referred to a speech therapist. A speech therapist? I was surprised since my perception … Continue reading Treating Cognitive Issues
Neuro-Psychological Testing
2017 is a bit of a blur for me. There are some moments that stick out; however, not many. It was the most eventful year, medically, for me and the addition of chemo to all the surgeries and hospital stays and procedures, its no wonder that it feels hazy and not quite real. Since there … Continue reading Neuro-Psychological Testing
Chemo Brain
This is a real thing. I've read several times that doctors are not convinced that it exists and that it is hard to test. Nearly everyone I've talked to who has undergone chemo experiences various cognitive affects. It is hard to quantify at times, but it is a real thing. A rather humorous example that … Continue reading Chemo Brain
