It is good to share good news!
My annual mammogram was earlier this month, and everything is NORMAL! Considering it was eleven years ago that I first found the lump, it feels like a great time to celebrate. PSA: If you have not had your mammogram this year, now is the time to schedule. Also, monthly breast exams are also important. Men and women can have breast cancer.
Even more exciting: I have finished my ten years of Tamoxifen! There were times that it felt like I would be on it forever. Now, of course, it feels like it was just a brief chapter. So far I have noticed that I am no longer as itchy at night, which is a very good thing. I no longer have to avoid grapefruit, and I am not as limited with what other prescriptions I can take. The last and most significant change is emotional. Without the daily reminder of a breast cancer pill, I feel a new sense of freedom. Yes, I still have many other reminders, but one less is helpful!
Later this year I will have my last official oncology visit. While I adore my oncologist, and we have been through a lot of life together, I am glad to be almost done with these annual visits.
My echocardiogram continues to be normal, and I will continue with my cardiologist to stay heart healthy.
Despite all my good news, Cancer is still a daily reality in our family. The list of those who have been diagnosed continues to grow. Worse, several are experiencing recurrences. One is awaiting a biopsy. One is undergoing treatment. Two are watching and waiting for symptoms to worsen before treating. One has stopped all treatments. Thankfully, science continues to make breakthroughs. I hope these studies continue to find funding. As I told my daughters when they were young, cancer may not be the same reality when they are adults. (Depending how you define “adult,” it will be soon).
My side of our family all has ties to Iowa, which has the second highest cancer rate of all new cases in our country. The populations is only 3.24 million. While cancer rates are declining nationwide (good news!), in Iowa, they continue to rise. The Des Moines Register has a series on the cancer crisis in Iowa. . I worry about our farming communities, and if we are taking care of them. You can find facts from the American Cancer Society and the Iowa Cancer Registry.
October is Breast Cancer Awareness Month. While everything turns pink, please do your homework to make sure that the money actually goes to breast cancer in some form. Breastcancer.org has not only great information, but also support. If you are in Minnesota, I have two local recommendations. First, either shop or donate to Hope Chest. The Firefly Sisterhood is a great organization I used. It pairs those diagnosed with a Peer Mentor, who is an additional support during treatments and beyond.
And if seeing all the pink is activating, I give you permission to ignore.
