Single Digits - 8 treatments to go!

Early Girls

All of us who get radiation in the 8 o’clock hour and are waiting in the dressing room together – I refer to as the Early girls. All but me are middle-aged black women with breast cancer. On Thursday, we were talking about the energy/people that you allow around you and that some people seem confused by our positivity/approach. They want to project sadness or worry onto us or tell us stories of people who went through what we are with varying outcomes. All agreed that we are on our own journey and don't appreciate that type of projection. If it’s your process to be sad or cry for me, that's your journey - not mine. We shared stories of people referring to us as “sick” – all in agreement that none of us view ourselves that way. There was so much positivity in the room. A lot of parallels between the way I look at surrounding myself with positivity and asset-based thinking (they called it God). One woman talked about how her children were basically mourning her and she said, come back from that place – I’m still here. She said, if the good Lord wanted to take me he would’ve taken me. I’m still here so this must be my testimony!

Hair loss

I’ve been thrown off slightly by how bugged I am about losing my hair. But because it's from the radiation and spotty, I’ve been advised not to shave off what’s left. Sounds crazy, but I almost feel like that would give me some power to shave it off, but ultimately, I’ll probably be glad to only have to regrow half of it when this is over. And when I was told that Id lose it on my radiation spots, I didn’t put together that my tumor is basically right on top of my head. So, I feel like an old balding woman.

Brad thinks this is a ridiculous thing to worry about and hates when I stress about anything at all, but it’s my reality (and vanity, apparently) and really the only thing that has made me feel like a cancer patient. I’m wearing a lot of hats and some headbands from a great company in the greater Charlotte area, Headbands of Hope - which donates a headband to a child with cancer for each sale made.

Major Fatigue

The fatigue is real right now and, as evidence, I have voluntarily taken several naps this week. This feeling makes me very excited to have my full energy back on the other side of this swerve. I am looking forward to having reasons to get dressed beyond workout clothes and sweats.

Whole Food Plant Based (WFPB) Lifestyle

Weve been eating WFPB for about 3 months and feel great! We are also thrilled that a few of our friends and family have decided to take the reigns on their health and join us. If we get more quality years with people we love, all worth it!

Golden Girls Update

The girls are 2 weeks old and visibly growing each day.

They are living inside with us in their brooder condo for another couple of weeks until they are big enough to hold their own in the coop. Because of my energy level and drunk left side, Brad had to build this alone though it would have been much easier with another set of hands. but he got it done and it looks great

By this time in two weeks, I'll be finished with radiation and the intensive round of oral chemo. October 21st - Last Day!

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