Hello! So the weeks since my mastectomy surgery have flown by and I would say that’s a good thing.
I’ve healed up well and over the course of my recovery seen so many awesome friends and colleagues and enjoyed so much wonderful food and fellowship.
I eventually started driving, started working, had a good visit with my mom and her husband Brett, got my teeth cleaned, went to orthopedist and opthamologist, started riding again (!!), had some physical therapy – my of motion great and got the all clear to ride and do whatever doesn’t hurt which is what I’d been doing. I also got summoned for jury duty. Ha. Here is a picture of Scooter. Sitting on some paperwork including the summons. 
Just today I was measured and manipulated and marked up with a Sharpie in all sorts of ways while in a CT machine (will try to attach photo) for my radiation treatment which starts next week. I also got a call from my surgeon that she had a follow up discussion on the pathology with the pathologist as well as input from the Duke Cancer team tumor board. I haven’t had a chance to talk to her yet but she said there isn’t anything surprising so I suspect that means all the cancer cells found were of the same triple negative type.
Anyway, all is well, although I am struggling to find some sort of routine amongst all this. I know this will take time and I’m having to remind myself daily that this is a process and I need to stay here and slow down and savor all the lovely moments I get to have while (I gotta be honest) I’ve found myself in the past week chomping at the bit to get going with the rest of my treatment so I can look at all of this in the rear view mirror at wave at it. But good news is that I start radiation on Aug. 29th. 30 treatments over six weeks. Some time after that I’ll start oral chemo. Hopefully by next May/June I will be all set for reconstruction.
Given the reality of the length of my treatment, I am working on slowing my roll a little because I know, just like all of us, all I have is today and right now. And today, like yesterday, overflows with that for which I am grateful.
One more thing – if you’re waiting to hear back from me you are not alone, I am sorry for the delay, and I am grateful for you reaching out. I’m having a hard time keeping up with correspondence personally now that I’m trying to focus back on keeping up with work. But I love you and I’m grateful for you and I will be in touch!! ❤️
Oh and if anyone has any good ideas for dealing with nighttime hot flashes let me know. One of the cascade (my radiation oncologists excellent word choice) of side effects of chemotherapy. I count myself lucky in terms of my side effects but sleep deprivation is just mean! Wait so are styes. Those are a thing apparently as the cells recover. A sign my body is healing. Gratitude for that.