Birthdays and new adventures

Wow, it’s been far too long since I’ve posted on my blog—over a month! I think it’s a good sign because it means I don’t have the need for as much “therapy” as I did when I was going through cancer treatment. I do, however, miss writing. I celebrated my 53rd birthday on Sunday, October 11. My daughter celebrated her 19th birthday three days prior. I am so very thankful that she was home with us to celebrate, as many of her friends are off at college. To view photos of our birthdays, please click here.

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Breathing a huge sigh of relief

Yesterday, I visited the Breast Care Center for my first mammogram since completing cancer treatment. I didn’t realize how anxious I was until I was driving to my appointment. I had already asked my husband to meet me at the facility because my last appointment didn’t go so smoothly.

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Life and the "new normal"

I have now gone for over seven weeks without updating my blog—the longest period since I began writing it. I guess the truth is that I haven’t needed to write . . . or maybe I haven’t wanted to write. Truthfully, I’ve been feeling that interest in my blog has been waning, but I had an email this week that jarred me back to reality. A friend emailed and asked why I hadn’t been blogging, as it’s her way of keeping up on what’s happening in my life.

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Cancer (almost) one year later

The photo, at left, was taken of Ariel and I the weekend before my first surgery, last August. I haven’t felt much like writing on my blog lately. I don’t know why. Maybe it’s because I’m in a strange “cancer aftermath” stage. I’m noticing things about life (and my life) that sadden me more than normal. I’m approaching the one-year anniversary (my husband’s birthday, actually), of the day I was told I had cancer. I look back over the last year and I think, “What was THAT all about?” I feel grateful to be alive.

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Playing catch-up

It’s been too long since I’ve updated my blog, so tonight I’m playing catch-up. Life has been busy with wonderful happenings this month. Here’s a re-cap: On June 12, my daughter graduated from Mount Vernon Christian School (see photo). I cannot express the mixture of emotions I felt as I watched her enter the gymnasium wearing her cap and gown. I was full of pride, excitement, joy, and even some sadness.

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Give me a head with hair

Okay, I admit that I'm in a silly mood tonight and I noticed that my blog needed some attention. I thought you could all use a break from the usual soul-searching narrative of a former cancer patient. So, I decided to talk about my hair. IT'S GROWING BACK!!! AND I'M SO EXCITED!!! AND THANKFUL!!!

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I'm certifiably "normal"

Well, when it comes to the results of the CYP2D6 test, I'm normal, anyway. What’s a CYP2D6 test? you may ask. It just so happens that I’m quite knowledgeable about it now. If you will recall, my oncologist wrote a prescription for the drug, Tamoxifen, for me to start taking for the next few years. Tamoxifen is a widely-prescribed drug for women who have been treated for hormone-receptor-positive breast cancer (like me).

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