Cast your cares on the Lord and he will sustain you, He will never let the righteous be shaken. Psalms 55:22.
I finished my radiation 2 weeks ago and had my last doctor visit yesterday. He gave me a survivor information packet! Yay! I am a survivor! I heard that some people miss going to radiation or have a let down when it is over but I really I don’t miss it at all! I have been able to resume most of my previous activities including running, biking, working, lifting weights and can do 3 pull ups in a row! I have not returned to swimming yet as my skin is still a bit sensitive where I received radiation and my surgery scars are not as healed as I would like. I now just need to get back into shape! One interesting thing that I did not know is that no hair grows where I had radiation. So now I will save a lot of time only needing to shave half of my right arm pit!
I have started on Tomoxifin which is an estrogen blocker to decrease my risk of cancer returning. Most women are on it for 5 years at which time they reassess. Side effects can be irritability and general menopause symptoms. One of my friends found out she was very allergic to it and had to start on something different. So far I am doing OK.
I have follow up appointments with many doctors and will especially my oncologist for the next 5 years and close follow up with mamograms and probably MRIs to follow up with any possible cancer threats. Hopefully I will be in the clear in 2026.
I have taken on the task of figuring out all my medical bills and have created a system of tracking everything. I have now met my deducible of $3,000 and my out of pocket which is an additional $6,000 or $9,000 total. Ouch. Still easy to pay when I see that the whole bill is just under $200,000 though I know that they insurance company negotiated a much lower rate. I am so very grateful to have insurance!
As I look back on this experience, I am blown away with the wonderful care I received, the kind and competent people I have met, prayers to God said in my honor and concern and encouragement from family and friends. My boss at work is very understanding and accommodated my many medical appointments and time off. Kari has been a rock throughout this whole process and is giving me extra hugs now since I missed out on some after surgery. I have a new perspective and appreciation for life and how very blessed I continue to be.
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