Survivorship and One Tough Titty’s Next Chapter
Well, well, well… look who finally decided to update her blog. It’s been a minute, I know. But in my defense, the primary reason I haven’t been as active here is actually a good one: I’ve been busy. Work has been incredible, life is happening, and, dare I say, it feels like I’m finding my rhythm again.
That, and frankly, I just haven’t had much to report. When your life has been a revolving door of doctor’s appointments, scans, and treatments for over a year, not having major updates is kind of a win.
That said, I did mislead you all in my last update. I had originally declared that my final treatment was on January 15, but as it turns out, they didn’t have me fully scheduled out. My last immunotherapy treatment actually wrapped up on February 5, and now, officially this time, I am in Survivorship. Cue the confetti cannon!
Of course, just because active treatment is over doesn’t mean I’m walking away scott-free. I’ll still see my oncologist every three months for checkups and bloodwork, but small win… No more mammograms. Because all of my remaining breast tissue is on the surface we will only do imaging if something feels suspicious. And then it will be a breast MRI.
The Lingering Nuisance That Is My Mouth
Now, let’s talk about the issue that refuses to quit… my damn mouth.
Since restarting immunotherapy last summer, my gums have been in full-blown revolt. What started as a mild irritation (think dry mouth and a little discomfort) has turned into full-on gum mutiny. We’re talking swollen, inflamed, and sore. Basically, my gums are acting like I rinsed with battery acid.
Since finishing treatment, they put me on a steroid, which has helped, but hasn’t fully solved the problem. So, today I’m off to see an oral surgeon, where I assume I’ll be met with some mixture of head-scratching and “Hmm, that’s interesting.” Stay tuned for whatever delightful nonsense they decide to put me through next.
One Tough Titty’s Next Chapter
Now, for the really exciting part. Behind the scenes, I’ve been working on transitioning One Tough Titty from a personal blog into a full-fledged nonprofit. And it’s happening.
We’ve officially received our 501(c)3 designation, and I’m gearing up to start fundraising for our first Tough Titty. I can’t wait to introduce her to you all, but here’s what I can tell you now: she’s a woman I met through my own cancer journey. Someone who inspired me when I needed it most. Tragically, she’s now facing her second battle with this disease, and I refuse to let her fight it alone. I know how heavy that weight is, and if we can lift even a little of that load for her, then we’re doing something truly meaningful. So, get ready, because we’re about to show up for her in a big way.
Wrapping It Up
This past year has been a marathon, a war, a dumpster fire, and oddly enough, a gift. As I step into whatever comes next, I know this much: Cancer took a lot from me, but it gave me an even greater purpose.
Survivorship is weird. It’s this strange middle ground between relief and what the hell do I do now? But I know this, I’ll keep showing up, I’ll keep fighting for the women who come after me, and I’ll keep proving that even in the face of something as devastating as cancer, we can still create something powerful, something hopeful, and something bigger than ourselves.
Let’s get to work.