Peachy Comeback

 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