Monday, January 27th, 2025

Jan 274 min read

Wow! It's been a while since my last post .... I'm trying to keep up on this blog as I continue this new path my life has taken. For a few reasons - I want to be able to look back when/if I need to and to, hopefully, help someone who can relate to what I've gone through and am going through in some way. Regardless of where you are at, you're not alone. That was the most helpful realization for me. Breast cancer is all around me, and, sadly, a norm of life it seems. It's on the rise so if you don't know someone dealing with breast cancer (or any cancer!), you likely will at some point.

So, my road since my last post has been this:

First, I started Tamoxifen on January 6th. Again, this is the drug that I've been scared to be on due to the high level of common to severe side effects. It's been 3 weeks since I've started, and I've experienced more extreme hot flashes, exhaustion/fatigue, and body aches. Those are the big ones. In another week or so I will follow up with my oncologist to check bloodwork and talk about those side effects. I've had to modify things in my life - I've learned mornings are WAY more productive than afternoons/evenings. I used to be able to work all hours of the day as a self-employed person - even catching up in the evenings. Now my brain is mush in the evenings. Most days I'm up at 6am and in bed by 8pm. :( If I know I'm going out in the evening, I am sure to take a nap in the afternoon! I feel like I'm 90 years old in that respect. If I sit for 30 minutes before, I'm so sore I can't hardly move at first. It takes 3-5 minutes to work out the initial pain and then it eases up. And, I've been having to wear layers these days for the hot flashes. Which leads me to this ... it's been REALLY hard wearing my cute wigs. Heat escapes through the head and if I have a wig cap, wig and hat on my head, and a hot flash comes on, I feel like I'm going to pass out. So ... as anxiety ridden as I have been about this ... I've been going out wig-free. I get compliments from loved ones but that's the great thing about loved ones! They HAVE to say I look good, right? :-) I think the reason it's so anxiety inducing is because I have NEVER had short hair. I've always loved my long hair. And I've never once considered cutting my hair this short. So, I look in the mirror and it doesn't look like me. Once I'm out, and can't catch myself in a mirror, I'm just fine. I have a "pixie-cut" look these days.

Despite the not-very-fun side effects of Tamoxifen, I'm making sure to have some fun. Remember that Minnesota Adventure Bucket List box of cards Jon got us for Christmas? We've already done 4 of the things. And this past weekend we celebrated Deb's birthday at the mall and went to see a show at the Orpheum. It's been a good month so far and that keeps my spirits high. I'll adjust - I know I will. I really hope my body adjusts and some of this stuff will go away. Maybe once I've hit menopause? TMI moment - I've had no period since September. So ... I'm 4 months into the 12 months that docs determine when I'm there.

Here's a bit of a photo dump of my month - I am out enjoying life - even without hair :)

Our first Adventure - Wabasha Street Caves. It's been YEARS since I've been there and Jon never had so it was fun to revisit the history year. Gangsters, prohibition, murder and mushrooms :). If you haven't been there, for $15, spend a an hour checking this out. It's worth it! And then hit an authentic Mexican restaurant near by like El Burrito Mercado or Boca Chica.

Again, it's been YEARS since I've been to Matt's Bar - the home of the Juicy Lucy. We went mid-afternoon hoping to beat the crowds, but to no avail. Still had to wait but worth it!

Upstairs Circus was a lot of fun! Lots of projects to choose from. Jon made bracelets for me, Eddie and himself and I made a "catch all" tray out of cement (that I mixed and poured!) and painted/sealed. Afterwards we went across the street to Red Rabbit for lunch. (Brits wasn't in walking distance for a day this COLD!)

Celebrated Deb's birthday at MOA - Crave for dinner and the Escape Game afterwards. We ALMOST escaped! We made it to the 3rd and final room and had 3 more puzzles to solve when our timer went off. Not bad for an 8/10 difficulty. It was a lot of fun!