Diagnosis day: A year later

It was a year ago today that I received the call from georgetown that my biopsy came back positive (positive not being a good thing).  Invasive breast cancer.

Twelve months later:  1.8 cm lump successfully removed on the first try by the amazing Dr. Cocilovo, 2-3 lymph nodes gone (still not sure whether I had two or three removed ... the important key being that they were negative!), one port implant, 6 rounds of chemotherapy (TCH ... taxotere, carboplatin & herceptin), 8 more rounds of herceptin (4 more to go), no hair for five months, 30 days of radiation, 10 pounds heavier (despite feeling queasy on chemo half the time, I managed to gain weight, go figure) .... here I am.   From the sunshine state, where I learned of my diagnosis, to the grand canyon state, where I am celebrating being beyond cancer, and trying to figure out my new life (including handling anxiety over recurrence), here I am.

I have so many people that helped me through, whether for the whole year, or just a small moment along the way, for which I am very thankful.  I wouldn't dare try listing people for fear of missing someone.  You know who you are, so thank you.

Bridge to spring...getting past the bumps

I'm in Phoenix!

Just a few weeks ago I planned my trip to arizona.  I just finished a big deadline at work (and got positive feedback on the comments I wrote - yay - my brain is starting to work again).  And as I've already mentioned, I am now coming up to the one year anniversary of my diagnosis day.  So, this week seemed like a good time to go.

Last spring I was miserable with diagnosis, surgery and the beginning of chemo.  Then came the summer which was unbearably hot whilst on chemo.  Fall was a blur of driving to and from sibley hospital for my radiation treatments.  And this winter, I have been tired and a cold weather wuss.  So, I have been yearning for spring to start.  And I have been viewing this trip as my bridge to spring (as I've told a few of you).  Because once I get back, it is the weekend of daylight savings time (and my birthday), the beginning of the Cancer to 5K training program I registered for, and I will finally start to feel settled into my new reduced work schedule, I hope.

I am convinced I have SADD, seasonal affective depressive disorder, or whatever it's called.  The cold dark days just bum me out.  So, very excited to spend a week in arizona where it will be in the 60s.  And then to come back to the beginning of spring in DC.  Hence, my bridge to spring.

About the bumps.  The short version is, despite all my obsessive planning the perfect travel arrangements, it all went to hell when US Air canceled my flight this morning, after keeping us delayed about an hour.  I managed to get on a United flight out of Dulles, but instead of getting to Phoenix at 2 p.m., I didn't get here until 9.  Had to transfer through Chicago (Pete, I didn't even have a chance to call you!).  Some turbulence heading toward chicago, and even more turbulence heading away from chicago.  But - big picture - despite a detour and change in my friday plan (not driving to flagstaff tonight), I am here in phoenix and ready to hit the road tomorrow morning.  Grand Canyon here I come!  No pictures yet, but there will be many :-)