9 minute read. Chemo is behind me! I haven’t written a post like this since February. I wanted to tell all of you what chemo was like, to send you postcards from inside that mysterious, scary, monumental experience. But it turns out I didn’t have the energy to write & edit blog posts during the… Continue reading All done with chemo
My first chemo infusion
4 minute read. My first chemo infusion started at 8:30 am on January 24, 2018. I packed carefully the night before. Talismans - crystals from Kai and Sean; a little statue of Kwan Yin, who turns suffering into compassion, from Isabel; my stuffed possum mascot from Luthien; a ceramic mug Kristen made for me; and… Continue reading My first chemo infusion
Egg harvest & my port
4 minute read. I can’t believe February is almost over. It’s been another blur of a month in cancerland! I have a little backlog of posts I’ll be sharing in chronological order. Our GoFundMe campaign raised more money than we ever expected - enough to pay for the egg freezing and storage, one round of… Continue reading Egg harvest & my port
GoFundMe
Test results and fertility preservation
All of my post-surgery pathology results are in! My cancer is not the especially aggressive, less treatable form of breast cancer my oncologist feared I might have. It's nice to get good news for once! I've been spending a LOT of time at the doctor, clocking 6-7 appointments per week. Each visit requires multiple phone… Continue reading Test results and fertility preservation
Chemotherapy
8 minute read. On the morning of my 35th birthday, I found out that I will need chemotherapy. The cancer center, Epic, is in Emeryville, in a part of town that has been developed within an inch of its life, all personality paved over. Wide streets with smooth asphalt lead to bland landscaping and office… Continue reading Chemotherapy
How I prepared to say goodbye to my left breast
3 minute read. I had the good fortune to have three full days to prepare myself mentally, logistically, physically, emotionally, and spiritually to say goodbye to my left breast. My surgery was on a Tuesday. The Saturday before, Molly and I went to the Korean spa. As always, I love seeing people naked. Without clothes,… Continue reading How I prepared to say goodbye to my left breast
Five days after my breast was removed
6 minute read. It has been five days since my left breast was removed. I went into surgery at 3:30 on Tuesday afternoon. My surgery took 2 hours longer than expected. Waiting must have been terrifying for my family. The surgeon had to remove more lymph nodes than expected because cancer had spread there. I… Continue reading Five days after my breast was removed
Post Surgery Update
Sara's mom here - She went into surgery around 3:30 pm and got out about 7:45 last night. By 11 pm she had walked around the halls and had a ravenous appetite!Sara says she's doing good, she's bored and ready to get her IV out! She should be released around noon. We're on our way… Continue reading Post Surgery Update
Quick update
After six weeks of internal struggle, 2nd opinions, and consultations - this is the plan: On December 11th my left breast will be removed in a single-breast mastectomy. I am not opting for a breast implant - instead I will be flat on one side. So far we've met my breast surgeon and medical oncologist. … Continue reading Quick update
postcards from cancer land 