Peachy Comeback

Greetings from the infusion room. I hope you had a Christmas filled with hope.  I’m settled in for chemo infusion 3 of 6. Happy halfway day to me.  Thanks to COVID, you don’t get to bring a friend anymore. You get to come here solo, visit with your fellow infusion mates, nurses, and ponder New Years resolutions.  Are we doing those this year? On one hand, New Years Resolutions feel like a great way to set yourself up for failure. But on the other hand, reflecting back on your year, and committing to doing a few things better sort of puts some wind behind your sails. So, to answer my own question, yes, I am definitely putting a few ideas together for what I want to do well in 2021.  My plan for daily living in 2021 is inspired by something I’ve been doing since the start of chemo: focusing on and doing the essentials that set me up to win. Sound simple? It is. But, friend, it’s not easy. Culture, work, friends, family, your children’s coaches, room moms, Instagram, an...

 Okay, the hair releasing didn’t last long. I couldn’t take it. I was sitting at work, went for a head scratch, and came away with fist full of hair. Nope. We’re done here. It wasn’t something I wanted to experience any longer than necessary.  The salon I ordered my wig from wasn’t open, so I was left hunting around town for some kind soul to shave my head. Enter Tammy. She cuts Clark’s hair, and she answered my desperate text for help.  My sister, Stacey, bravely volunteered to go with me. Clark took a pass, and I’m so glad he did. It wasn’t something I really wanted him to experience. Not that he couldn’t have handled it. He can handle anything. But it just wasn’t something I “needed” him there for.  On the way to salon, Stacey pondered, “I hope we are in a sort of private area. Like, not out in the open where everyone can see your business.” My response, “Good thought. I hope so.”  We park, walk in, greet Tammy, and walk the short two steps to chair number 1....

 Today is chemo day 13. Please know that’s not how I wake up thinking about each day. But for the purposes of story telling, it helps provide context.  My hair has started to release. There was no drama, no fancy sad music, or fall apart. Just a simple finger run through that came away with way more strands than necessary. I repeated the process just to check. Yep. Definitely coming out. On Tuesday, it will all be getting “released” with a buzzer.  It’s a strange feeling, but I don’t think it is a rare feeling. Any experience that involves having to watch or feel your body break down is unpleasant. Objectively, experiencing chemo hair loss is difficult. And I think you should allow yourself to experience the emotions that come with it, however, you can’t stay there for long. You can’t dwell there. At least, I can’t. That road gets long and dark very quickly.  Enter, perspective. Still reading? Great. I knew we would be friends. This is the thing: I have heard my enti...

Has 4 weeks ever felt like 8 months?  Good! Glad it isn’t just me.  4 weeks ago today, I went in to have my first ever mammogram due to a lump I discovered on my right breast. Between my age, 32, and lack of family history I walked in thinking nothing of it. Literally. End of story. Turns out, I was wrong.  It was actually the beginning of a story.  I don’t need to brace you for the fallout that unfolded. Looking back at my two hour office visit and all of the events that unfolded, there is definitely some humor to the story, however, at that this point in time, I don’t have the energy to go back and relive it for you. For now, can we just agree to have the highlights? Before we go on, it’s only fair that I clarify the office I visited to have this test was not in the town where I live, or in any way related to the care team I currently have.  Friday, October 23rd: Highlight 1. The mammogram itself. Are you people serious? Is this really how we still have to do ...

 Hi,  My name is Abby. At the time of this entry, I have recently been diagnosed with breast cancer. I’m starting a blog as a way to share my story. Over the past several days, as I’ve come to fully grasp the road underfoot, two thoughts have settled in my mind: 1. How can I use my experience to help someone else?  2. What can I learn from this? A blog seems like a good place to start. My hope is that someone will be able to connect with my experience and find support and encouragement for themselves. At the very least, I hope it makes someone laugh. Seriously. A good sense of humor shouldn’t be underrated. It’s helping me get through some long days. I highly recommend it.  A little about me: I’m married to Clark. He’s my best friend. We live near a downtown square in a tiny bungalow. I work in healthcare marketing. I’m from Leesburg, GA. You get a big shout out if you know where that is. I’m the youngest of 4.  Talk soon, Abby