Receptors

When I was initially diagnosed and joined some online support groups, I discovered a whole new short-hand utilized by patients and medical professionals to describe the different subtypes of breast cancer. At first, these letters and symbols were quite intimidating and it took me some time to get comfortable and familiar with utilizing and interpreting … Continue reading Receptors →

Caregivers

We talk a fair amount about the people in our lives who we look to for support/care in the online MBC support groups. Yes, there's a fair amount of kvetching about the stressors or disappointments because no relationship is perfect; at the same time, I see many more posts laced with love and concern for … Continue reading Caregivers →

10 days after IV Chemo and an MRI

Ten days ago, on 2/4, I started a combination of medication and it’s been a struggle to do anything for the last ten days. I think the fact that everything started all at once made a difference and that it’s been nearly 5 years since I last had IV chemo. With all the oral therapy … Continue reading 10 days after IV Chemo and an MRI →

Things that make you scratch your head …

Transcript of an actual phone call … Me: hello? Caller: calling from specialty pharmacy and after we verify my identity … I’m calling to help you refill your prescription of Xeloda since you are due to receive it. Do you want to pick it up or have it delivered? Me: ok, great, I’ll be at … Continue reading Things that make you scratch your head … →

Saying Goodbye …

I'm not saying goodbye to you all now, I was just thinking about a quote I heard recently. I was catching up on all things Criminal Minds, the original, in preparation for watching the final season (not sure how I feel about that) and one of the quotes for an episode was shared like this … Continue reading Saying Goodbye … →

Heading into Chemo

Tomorrow I will start the IV chemo, Taxotere, along with the oral medication, Xeloda. This combination is designed to work together and gives my medical oncologist some flexibility. While I get the need to get ahead of the cancer cells that were not materially affected by my last line of treatment, the knowledge that I … Continue reading Heading into Chemo →

Painful expectations

As most of you are aware, I ask a lot of questions in order to set my expectations whenever I start a new treatment or have a procedure and I highly recommend doing this. Whatever the answer, I set my expectations and prepare for whatever I’m told. That might mean how I schedule the days … Continue reading Painful expectations →

When the invisible becomes visible and vice versa

I’ve written before about having an Invisible yet Dynamic Disability and some of the ramifications of that experience. The struggles of having to communicate the challenges of living with MBC is real and so many don’t get how I can look fine. Only a small handful of people understand how I must prepare for an … Continue reading When the invisible becomes visible and vice versa →

Brace, Brace, Brace

For the first time in quite a few years, the weight of MBC is is a very present threat and we find ourselves bracing for what’s coming. In hindsight, I think I’d already started bracing for the news we got last week. Early last week, I had a PET/CT, which I get roughly quarterly, and … Continue reading Brace, Brace, Brace →

Remembering friends lost in 2021

In March of 2020, my dear friend, Emily Garnett, was murdered by Stage IV Metastatic Breast Cancer (MBC).  As I struggled to process my deep deep grief that also felt somehow outside the mainstream, a dear friend offered me a lifeline.  Alyson Tischler responded to a comment I’d made on social media about my grief … Continue reading Remembering friends lost in 2021 →