As most of you probably already know, this past October I was diagnosed with Stage 1 breast cancer. Stage 1 doesn’t sound too scary but, Stage 1 is still cancer. Stage 1 still means, surgery, chemotherapy, radiation and a plethora of prescription medications. Stage 1 still means many, many weeks of treatment and healing. Stage 1 means extra bi-annual exams and tests.
Fast forward. In April, I was done with all my treatment and on the road to recovery. My hair was growing back, my skin was looking better, my toenails and fingernails were less brittle and . . . well, weird is the only way to describe how they were, and I was feeling pretty dang good. Until last month. In June I hit a wall I wasn’t anticipating. I hit the you-still-are-not-healed wall. Stupid wall.
Nobody told me about this wall. It seems I am not fully recovered after all. Nearly a month after treatment, I developed neuropathy and instead of getting better, it got worse. I talked to my oncologist and was told that that is not uncommon. Nerve damage happens quite frequently with chemotherapy patients. Say what? And how long exactly is this going to last? Apparently, “it varies from patient to patient.” Great. Some reports I’ve read say it might not ever go away. I’m choosing to be optimistic on this one.
And at the end of last week, I contracted some kind of cold/flu bug. I managed to get through 20 weeks of chemotherapy and radiation without so much as a sniffle. Three months post-treatment I get a lousy bug that slams me to bed for 2 days. After seeing the doctor (and getting a shot of antibiotics in the booty) I was informed that it could take up to a year before my immune system is back to regular factory settings. A YEAR!!! Say what? Nobody told me about that.
Nerve damage and a poorly-functioning immune system is not what I was expecting. I figured once I stopped treatment my hair would grow back and I’d be a new and improved woman. Ha. The universe is laughing at my naivete.
This is definitely not what I signed up for.
How are you all fairing dear readers? Any summer colds? Any health surprises being thrown at you?
Word of the day: Theanthropic
Fun fact about me: I got my very first shot in the butt last Friday.
Original post my Jansen Schmidt, July 2018. Photos courtesy Google Images.
jansenschmidt 
I am week four post knee replacement. I still have aches and new pains related to relearning how to walk again some fifty years later. There is always some side effect we don’t know, didn’t see, or missed because we were so anxious about the main thing. At physical therapy last week I was reminded that the body heals slowly and it could be up to a year before I am fully healed. Woah, I didn’t see it either but I know where I am is a better place – overall – than where I was before. It is not easy be patient with the process. I am reminded to take it slowly, but it is difficult. Hang in there, it’s all good and it WILL work out. Have a wonderful week and keep smiling. A little better everyday.
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I know that every body heals differently but every body heals. And I knew it was going to take some time to be 100% again. I was just feeling so darned good in May that I thought I had dodged a bullet with the post-chemo stuff. Not so.
Anyway, I’m glad you’re working on your patience along with me. I hope you’re back to “normal” real soon as well my friend. Take care of yourself and I’ll take care of me. Rest is my friend. I keep telling myself that.
Patricia
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Ugh, so sorry you’re still having these problems!
After four years, I am still struggling with Adrenal Fatigue, which is supposed to be curable if you don’t have a lot of stress, and I don’t. I’ve been lucky this year health-wise, since weakened immune system also goes with AF. Usually I do get a cold, and they take soo much longer to get over, so I’m extra thankful for that.
Hope you are feeling better soon – Disney awaits!
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I know that Disney awaits and that’s partly why I’m so danged upset with these set-backs. I want to feel good when I go. I don’t want to take it easy. I want to go and see and do. I know I’ll have to take every day as it comes and rest if I must but I truly thought I’d be feeling much better by this point than I do. It’s just a matter of rest and patience. I’m not good at either one.
Thanks for stopping by. I hope your continued path toward completely cured is in your near future. Stay well my friend.
Patricia
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Yeouch, those shots in the butt hurt big time. I had to have one after the birth of my kids. Right into the butt muscle so you’re guaranteed to feel it for what seems like forever!
I’m sending you lots of healing hugs and praying that this year goes by fast for you. Take care of yourself first so you can heal completely and get strong again.
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Thanks Sheila. I know I’ll be back to my old self some day. I just thought I’d beat the odds and not have any of those lousy post-chemo health issues to deal with. So much for being superwoman.
Thanks for your encouragement and support. I appreciate having great friends out there pulling for me.
Patricia
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So sorry to hear about your complications. Try to remember that you’re still above ground. A generation or two ago you might not have been.
BTW if you’d been raised by a doctor like I was you’d have had every shot there is growing up.
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Believe me David, I am thankful every single morning that I am indeed above ground. And I know there are lots of people out there dealing with way worse crap than me. I was just surprised that it was going to take so long to be “normal” again.
Thanks for stopping by. Have a great week.
Patricia
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You are going to get through this wall and smash it to bits, my friend. Life will always through you curveballs. You just have to hit them out of the park. How’s that for mixed metaphors? 🙂 ❤ Hang in there!
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The mixed metaphor didn’t even phase me. I like it.
I know this is just a phase and it’ll be gone soon. It was just unexpected is all. I thought once I stopped treating I’d be feeling better not worse. The aftereffects are just as unpleasant as the treatment was. Oh well, as David said above, I’m thankful to be above ground.
Thanks for stopping by. I sure miss seeing you.
Patricia
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So sorry you have to go thru all of this Patricia.
My get well thoughts are with you
Debbi
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Thank you so much my friend. I know it’ll get better. I just want to feel better now. I’m impatient. I thought after treatment I’d be living the good life again. Nope. Not for awhile yet. As they say, I’m not out of the woods yet.
I sure miss you guys. I hope you’re all well. Love you.
Patricia
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[…] leg and the knee continue to heal and I am reminded by blogging friend Jansen Schmidt that we need to be patient and positive – two words for my Tuesday. Healing takes time and […]
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If you are an independant person , like yourself, the hardest thing on earth is to be patient with yourself. Time passes so quickly you will be ok my dear friend just need a bit of time. Your holiday will be good for you. Holidays are different to working and normal life. I am sure you will have a great time. If it’s any consolation I was laid up completely for a year after I detached my foot and broke both bones in my leg. Like you I was unhappy at having to take it easy once it was mended and unable to do the things I wanted to. The only consolation I had was having matching shoes again lol as I had to wear a pressure boot for nine months. I was an awful patient, cos I couldn’t do anything and had to rest it. It took four years before I had my life back , it has taught me to count every day as a blessing. You have had a very serious illness. But you have come good. What you are achieving every day is remarkable. What you did over the 3rd and 4th of July would be exhausting for anyone fit! Let alone someone recovering from cancer treatment . You already know the treatment in killing the cancer cells also changes the body. It will take a while but every day you will be improving. Keep away from people with colds. This time next year you may feel the new woman you expect to be. Love you lots and sending you healing prayers . Don’t stress about the holiday , it will be the best thing for you. I am always here for you my lovely lady. Lots of hugs from across the pond. Your writing stuff is helpful to others in a similar situation as yourself. any form of cancer makes you feel alone and isolated as you feel no one understands what you aren’t going through.Always know you have people who love you and will always be there for you. ♥️♥️😘
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