Life after cancer

Since treatment wrapped up Oct. 13, life has slowly returned to normal - a new normal, that is. I am told often that life will never be "normal" again. I'm not sure what that really means. I don't feel like I have changed that much. I do think about the cancer coming back pretty much all the time. Maybe that's what people mean: that you'll always have that fear hanging over you. I can easily say that I think about the cancer at least five times a day, but it doesn't bother me anymore when the thoughts arise. I think I'm just so used to them now.

I had a routine check-up with my oncologist a couple weeks ago. At these appointments, blood is drawn and checked for "tumor markers," which, if elevated, could indicate the growth of a tumor. I asked my doctor not to tell me if my markers were elevated until after we get back from Hawaii in February. I refuse to have another trip derailed by my health!

Jason, Oliver and I are heading to Kona on the Big Island of Hawaii on January 28. There, we'll be celebrating out first wedding anniversary on January 30. We're having a small ceremony - what we should have been doing one year ago instead of recovering from a mastectomy. My parents, Jason's parents, and a small handful of fantastic friends will be joining us for a ceremony on the beach, followed by dinner at a restaurant. We couldn't be more excited for this trip! The constant rain and gray skies of wintertime in Seattle have begun to take their toll. It's time to lie on the beach and relax for awhile!

My energy has fully returned and I am again working out regularly at the gym. Only recently have I realized how much the treatment had zapped me of my energy. It's nice to be energized by a run or spin class instead of feeling completely drained and tired. I have also started working more, and surprisingly - despite the down economy - have been keeping fairly busy. I'm wrapping up a couple big projects before we leave, and I have two on the books that I'll start as soon as we return.

Oliver is doing well. He's been a real trooper all this, and only had some intermittent sleep issues to show for it. He really enjoys attending Small Talk at Gilda's Club - an art therapy group for kids whose loved ones have or have had cancer. He loves the group leader, Michelle, and looks forward to the sessions every other Wednesday. I've continued to attend the Young Survival Coalition meetings once or twice a month, and found myself saying "yes" when asked if I wanted to share the duties as co-chair of communications for the YSC Seattle Leadership Committee. I'll be attending the YSC National conference in Atlanta at the end of February, traveling with about a dozen other young women from our chapter. We'll spend three days attending conferences aimed toward young women affected by breast cancer. I'm looking forward to learning some new things and spending time with some incredibly strong, smart and engaging women from my group.

Not a day goes by that I am not thankful to be done with my treatment. It was such an interruption to all our lives. Just knowing that I don't have to go to the hospital for treatment makes me appreciate my days so much more!

Next up: another Zometa infusion on April 5. Until then, just keeping busy and enjoying life!