I have never been a huge fan of Valentine’s Day. Overpriced roses and overpriced restaurant meals. Plus I am lucky to have been in a stable and loving relationship for almost all of my adult life. Therefore it didn’t really bother me when they invited me to attend the breast care clinic to receive the results of my biopsy on 14th February 2022. So, whilst I already knew it was likely to be cancer, the formal diagnosis came a year today. The only real surprise on the day was to find it was triple negative.
I have learned a lot over the last 12 months. I have learned a lot about my own resilience and adaptability. Here I am, having had a metastasis, but getting on with a normal life. I have got back into regular running, have picked up more workload from the various organisations I sit on the boards of, or do voluntary work with. I have made tentative plans for holidays.
I have learned a lot about family and friends. Those who are supportive and those who have faded away. People who have surprised me on both fronts. I have learned how to ask for more help when I need it, and to be grateful for things others do to help. I particularly value the precious time with my loved ones.
I have learned more than I ever wanted to know about treatments for TNBC, including pretty well every relevant clinical trial that is recruiting, closed or in the results phase. I subscribe to oncology resources I never imagined I would have an interest in. Whilst I have an excellent oncologist, it was obvious early on that it helps to know enough to be your own advocate. To know about possible treatments, and ask about if and how they might help. To (respectfully) challenge the thinking. I don’t know whether I am an outlier in having a blood carried metastasis from a very early stage, small cancer, that hadn’t gone into my lymph nodes. But I have piqued my oncologist’s interest, and that has to be a good thing.
Upcoming are blood tests and a CT scan to look for further signs of cancer, and a liver MRI to check the ablation was complete. I am feeling well and healthy but know I might get bad news. Here’s hoping I get as many 3 month cycles as possible before that occurs. And if I remain clear on Valentines Day 2024, I might be more inclined to celebrate it.
