I had no idea this is a thing, but it is! Before I was diagnosed with Stage IV Metastatic Breast Cancer, I honestly looked at breast cancer as one illness. Now, I understand that it is so much more complicated than that and the more I learn, the more I am amazed at how much … Continue reading Early Stagers vs. Metastatic Patients
Happy New Year, 2019
2019 is here. Each new season and calendar change means something very different to me now. When I was young, I felt the frustration and anticipation of yearning to be older and for time to pass more quickly. As I've gotten older, time seems to move too fast sometimes and not fast enough at other … Continue reading Happy New Year, 2019
New Year’s Eve, so long 2018
2017 was a doozy, probably the worst year of my life to date. 2018 has been quite a different animal. Yes, there have been some hard days and the adjustment to living life after the traditionally active treatment (i.e., IV chemo) has been rough at times; at the same time, we've finally figured a few … Continue reading New Year’s Eve, so long 2018
Compromised Immunity
I have understood for some time that I have a compromised immune system. It's hard to ignore when I go to the doctor's office at least monthly to have bloodwork done and the lab always calls my doctor's office right away to report the feeble amounts of white blood cells detected. Learning the medical terms … Continue reading Compromised Immunity
METup & Metavivor Trip October 2018
Redemption. That was my personal theme of the week my husband, Elliot, and I spent in Washington, DC in early October, 2018. October is generally a hard month for those of us dying of stage IV metastatic breast cancer. There’s a reason METup’s slogan is #dyingforacure. Being around all of the fluffy pink celebrations all … Continue reading METup & Metavivor Trip October 2018
From September 26, 2018
What now?!? Journal entry by Abigail Johnston — Sep 26, 2018 I started seeing a new neurologist and he’s working to get to the bottom of my recurring and debilitating migraines. He’s a specialist and I appreciate his thoroughness and attention to details. He reviewed all of my medical records with me and asked me questions no other … Continue reading From September 26, 2018
From August 22, 2018
A rough and overwhelming week Journal entry by Abigail Johnston — Aug 22, 2018 Liam started kindergarten this week and it was amazing and nostalgic and fun and I had a hard time focusing. So many other things going on but I’m still doing my best to stay focused on the present and supporting him through this new … Continue reading From August 22, 2018
From August 3, 2018
#fakenews?? Journal entry by Abigail Johnston — Aug 3, 2018 Can’t resist a bit of political humor in an effort to deflect the potential seriousness of this post. Tumor markers are still rising. While they are not 100% reliable in terms of signaling a progression, it’s creating some serious heartburn in our household. Just this week, my medical … Continue reading From August 3, 2018
Christmas
It's pretty universal that everyone likes to get presents; yet, there's something super special about watching a child on Christmas morning. My boys really get into the decorations, the magical parts of Christmas and they love Christmas morning. They wade through the paper with startling efficiency and announce and compare their gifts loudly and frequently. … Continue reading Christmas
Christmas Eve
Before I had children, the story of the birth of Jesus was meaningful, but I sometimes had a hard time wrapping my head around the experience of it. When my husband and I got married and we went through the Catholic pre-marital classes, I found myself wondering at times (irreverently) about all the hullabaloo around … Continue reading Christmas Eve
No Half Measures 