We did it!

We did it!!!! We said Fuck You to the cancer-monster and kicked some ass. And….It’s GONE!!!!!

My biopsies and tests came back as NED, which, in our lingo means “No Evidence of Disease”. I am just over the moon happy, even though it took a bit of time to actually process that information and believe it enough to tell you all. But I finally have allowed myself to have confidence that I am indeed cancer-free.

It has been a tough fight, the toughest I have ever fought. And believe me, I am still fighting. After finally getting my stitches and the last two tubes ripped out late last week, I am slowly healing. I am doing gentle, albeit uncomfortable, exercises and stretches to regain my range of motion and strength. Who knew it would be a struggle to raise my arms to shoulder-height? Much less above my head, which, at this point, seems like an impossible feat. And standing up straight and walking with my shoulders back? Ugh! I’ve got a major case of what Mom used to call the debutante slouch.

But I will do it, because I know that, given my tenacity, stubbornness hope and conviction, nothing is impossible.

Along with this fantastic news comes some that ain’t so great…I do have to get radiation.

Why? You ask. Well, there are a few reasons. One is that Triple Negative Breast Cancer is the beast among the beasts. It is not easy to tame, and thus it is important to zap the areas where the cancer was to make sure it doesn’t rear its ugly head again. Also, the tumor on my breast was located close to my chest wall, and my surgeon had to remove a lot of tissue to get it all. This doesn’t give me enough of a buffer to keep it from spreading. Add to that the fact that it was in my lymph nodes, and well, radiation is the recommended next course.

I have a window of time to begin my treatment of 25 rounds (5 weeks, daily Monday through Friday) of getting nuked. We all decided that we would wait as long as reasonably possible due to COVID-19. So in late June, Jeff, Chance and I will close up El Gato, and rent a house in Guadalaara–the closest city that has the high-tech equipment required.

I know. Sigh. I’m bummed, and the news really took some of the wind out of my sails. But I’ll do whatever it takes. Even this.

Still. I am Cancer Free!!! We did it!

You all were (and still are) a huge part of getting me through this big-ass speed bump on my journey through life. I have so much gratitude for having an awesome surgeon (who actually listens), my oncologist, who agreed to change-up the initial protocol after listening to our lines of reasoning, Jeff, who has been there for me through thick and thin, and to you, our friends and supporters, who have given me so much encouragement and strength  I can never thank you enough.  Keep it coming, Please and Thank You.

We. Did. It.

And as always, No Pasa Nada

Victory!