I’m sorry you found my blog.
HA! What a funny thing to say on a blog!! But seriously, if you landed here, you either know me, or know someone that has cancer. That’s why I’m sorry!
Cancer.
I hate that word.
I remember sitting in the oncologist’s office in my early 20’s listening to the Dr. tell me that while it was not likely I would get Ocular Melanoma like my Mom, 3 out of 4 people would be diagnosed with some sort of cancer in their life. Since all of my Grandparents and my Mom have died of some type of cancer, I knew my day would come. I just never thought my diagnosis would be the day after my 41st birthday and as a mother of a 10, 7 and 6 year old.
Fast forward 4 years (October 2019) and the cancer has returned in other bones. So here we are, ready to fight again…and looking to be on some sort of treatment for the rest of my life.
This blog is my journey as I fight to leave cancer behind and move on in my life.
I should probably back up and introduce myself . . . my name is Jennifer. I’m a Christ follower, married to an amazing man (who happens to be a chef turned Co-CEO of a restaurant), have 3 beautiful daughters and I’ve been diagnosed with Stage IV Breast Cancer which originally spread to my sternum, but has now spread to quite a few other bones and one of my lungs as well.
I know it can be confusing when you stumble upon a new blog, so let me help you get started.
- I have a blog to keep track of my thoughts and to let friends and family know what’s going on.
- You can get to know our family or read my personal testimony here.
- As I’ve been going through different procedures, I’ve written down what it was like. You can find a list of those over in the side bar (or down at the bottom if you are on a mobile device).
- Click here to receive an email when I publish new posts.
- And finally, if you noticed above that I’m married to a chef and think that must be the MOST AMAZING THING EVER, click here and browse through my blog about what it’s really like to be married to a chef. (I love blogging. Can you tell?)
Here’s what’s going on with me right now . . .
The Spa Treatment Room
Yesterday, I switched to a different treatment room, where they are just targeting the two scars from my mastectomy and reconstructive surgeries. I call it the room the Spa Treatment Room…little did I know for the past 6 weeks, that the room just next to me had a large screen TV with calming pictures on it and relaxing music playing in the background. WHAT????
This is a much different view than I’ve had for the past 6 weeks!
Of course, this morning I went in and Johnny Cash was playing and “Track 11” was flashing on the screen. So maybe it’s only the spa room some days. I guess I will wait and see. 🙂
Phrases Only a Cancer Patient Will Hear (or Say) . . .
Thanks to a very itchy radiation tan yesterday morning, I’ve been awake since about 4 am. I’ve been working on updating my blog a bit (new tag could in the sidebar, post with resources for cancer patients, etc.) I found this post draft that I wrote while going through chemo. I’m so glad to have my hair growing back, but these are pretty funny…
Phrases only a cancer patient will hear:
Mom, can I pull some of your hair out? It’s fun. read more…
Resources for Cancer Patients
As I’ve been sitting in the radiation waiting room each day, I’ve had the opportunity to chat with other women on a cancer journey. As we share stories and talk about our struggles, I’ve been reminded how much I’ve learned in the past 10 months.
Below is a list of resources I have found helpful this past year. I will add to the list as I find more. I also have a post full of great resources for family and friends of cancer patients if you are interested.
Misc. Resources:
Cleaning for a Reason – 4 free housecleaning appointments for Chemo patients (When you talk with the cleaning company to set up the appointments, make sure to get all the details about how many times they will come and for how long.)
Cancer Lifeline – classes, support groups and financial and emotional support services (Pacific Northwest)
The Amazing People You Meet
I’ve said before that it’s sometimes difficult to get up in the morning and go to my “job”. I haven’t had a job with set hours in 11 years, so this having to be out of the house each morning thing has taken some getting used to.
While I was really dreading it at first since I was worried it would rob me of my summer, like chemo and surgery robbed me of the school year, it’s actually been a really nice summer so far.
I LOVE routine! Our home operates much better when we have a routine going. Radiation has forced us to be on a routine Monday – Friday and has made the summer go much smoother (at least so far). The weather has been HORRIBLE, but the girls love going to someone’s house to play every morning and many afternoons we have fun plans as well.
Another Week Gone By
It’s crazy to think that I’m over half way done with radiation.
Halfway done!!
WOOHOO!!!
This week has been a tough one. I just don’t want to get up and go in the morning. It’s not early. It’s not painful. It’s just ANNOYING! This week, I confess, I struggled with having a good attitude about going quite a few mornings.
I try to remind myself why I’m going every day…fighting for my life…more time with my family. Some days this work well. Other days (like ones when the girls are really difficult…like a few days this week) that line of thinking doesn’t work as well and I just have to pull myself out of bed and get moving.
Radiation Tan
Thought I’d give a quick update…
I feel great! I have more energy than I have had in months, which is due to working out each morning and staying active with the girls. 🙂 I’m so thankful to be feeling great.
I am starting to get a bit of a radiation tan on my chest. It’s very mild and not very noticeable, but it is there. It’s not painful in any way but the skin is starting to change, so we’ll see how that goes.
Radiation Week 2 – Done
We are adjusting well to this new routine of daily radiation. I’m enjoying getting to know my technicians well and have met a few ladies in the waiting room this week. So far no side effects and I’m feeling really good. I even have sore muscles from working out! AND it’s a 3 day weekend – no radiation on Monday because of the holiday!! Yay!!!
On Monday when I met with the Dr. he said to expect side effects to start after 10 treatments. I’ve heard from others to expect them about half way through. Who knows when and if they will appear, but so far this “honeymoon period” as the Dr. called it, is fine. It’s nice to not be in pain (except for the sore muscles from exercising. It’s nice to not have any fatigue, only a tired body from going to the lake and riding bikes with the girls. 🙂 read more…
Meet Jennifer
Breast Cancer Patient, Chef Wife and Mom
Resources:
What to Expect:
