Next Stop.....the World!

Tuesday, October 13, 2026

One Year

This time last year was very different. In June of 2025, I went for my annual mammogram and a questionable spot was found. About a week later, I went in for a biopsy. The biopsy results came back positive for invasive ductal carcinoma (aka breast cancer). In early July, I had my first meeting with my oncology team (team is always reassuring). The surgeon, oncologist, and radiation oncologist had reviewed my imaging and biopsy results and came up with a plan. Due to a family history, I also had a blood draw to check for the cancer genes. Oddly enough, I did not have any genes (or should I say known cancer genes, I was told in 5-10 years to get another genetics test and they may have discovered another cancer gene).

In late July, I had a partial mastectomy (aka a lumpectomy). I was graded at stage 1 (aka it was caught early). Due to the early stage, clean surgical margins, and a low oncotype score, I did not have to do chemotherapy. I did have six weeks of recovery post-op. That was probably the hardest part. May headed up to university and Richard and Clarissa headed back to Egypt to return to work and school. I just worked on a making a quilt for Clarissa. In a way, it was nice as I had my sewing machine on the coffee table and started a Gilmore Girls rewatch.

In mid September, I flew up to visit May a few days in Boston. It was tricky getting that airfare because I had no idea when I would be starting radiation. I lucked out and it was after my first week of radiation.

When I got back my mother-in-law came down to help out. I was mainly just tired from radiation and it was so nice having someone make dinner.

For a 20 days, I came in, got changed, and then went into the treatment room. I was able to do radiation in a newer position called the prone position. On the table there was an opening that my breast would hang out of. This made the radiation more localized and reduced the amount of radiation hitting other organs. Clarissa came with me once and said it looked like I was being abducted by aliens when the machine started lifting me up and spinning around me. I was also still in town for an October breast cancer fundraising walk. It made me oddly emotional thinking of my friends Melissa and Meghan who both passed away from breast cancer in their early 30s.

Part way through treatment, Richard and Clarissa popped in during Clarissa's fall break (not the trip to Maldives we had to get refunded) but we did get some extra use out of the Disney season passes we bought last year.

I also got to catch up with my cousin who is battling brain cancer.

This was me - one year ago today! Ringing the end of radiation treatment bell.

Right after I completed treatment, my bestie was in Florida to depart for a cruise. I popped down to the port to see her and get a little vitamin sea.

Also during my treatment, I was able to hang out with two of my good friends from university.

Since I was done with active treatment, I was able to return back to post (I do have a Class 2 Medical clearance now) and return to the new normal.

I'll be on medication for the next 5 years to reduce my chances of reoccurrence. For 2 years, I have to return every 6 months for imaging. I've done my first two checks and have thankfully been all clear!! So today, I celebrate 1 year since completing my treatment. October has little more meaning for me and if me wearing pink reminds you to get a mammogram done I consider it a success.