Goodbye 2023!

As we wrap up the year, I wanted to write a personal note to our tribe. It's been a shit year. There’s just no other way to describe the medical marvel that has been this year.

Here’s the short story:

12/22/22 – Test results confirming Breast Cancer. The first surgeon appointment is 3 very long weeks later.

1/23/23 – First surgery to determine if cancer spread to lymph nodes (thankfully it did not).

2/1/23 – Mastectomy and reconstruction via DIEP procedure – essentially slitting me from one side of my stomach to the next. 2 nights in the hospital, wound care, months of recovery, and physical therapy.

5/1/23 – Start 5 years of Tamoxifen, a preventative cancer drug for hormone-based cancer. My side effects include bone aches, extreme fatigue, hot flashes, and insomnia.

8/1/23 – First post-mastectomy mammogram – Cancer free.

8/10/23 – Left shoulder starts to freeze up, later confirmed via an MRI in September. Cortisone shot, enter months of Physical Therapy.

9/25/23 – Unexpected minor surgery for polyp removal (no cancer).

October – 4 weeks of insomnia due to Tamoxifen’s interaction with an increased Thyroid med.

11/3/23 – Tibial plateau leg fracture at the dog meetup.

11/13/23 – Fourth surgery this year on my leg/knee. No weight for three months (currently around Valentine’s Day 2024).

12/8/23 – Physical Therapy begins for the knee. Continues for the frozen shoulder (which has moved from left to right based on the crutches).

It’s a lot. A lot A lot. Just typing it out is overwhelming. $318,278 and counting. Months off from work. Guilt from not being at work. PTSD from the aftermath of having cancer (no one tells you that it is almost harder mentally than physically). Guilt for needing help and assistance at home.

There is just no sugarcoating the year.

BUT…

Life is how you deal with the above. As the proverb goes, “Fall down seven times, stand up eight.”

Life is knowing that no matter what you are going through, good or bad, this too will change. The key is being able to recognize when you are in the good part. When you are healthy, when you are learning new things, and when you are with loved ones. When you are feeling fulfilled. It's not that life stops being hard, or that you only have these moments on fancy vacations or hyped-up holidays. It's finding happiness in seeing the sun rise in your neighborhood. It's in your garden growing. It's in the phone call catch up with an old friend. It’s big moments and little moments and all the life in between.

As we look toward 2024, my wish for you is not only health but the ability to see the good times when you are in them. To enjoy the moment. To feel gratitude for what you have in your life. To feel excited for a new year.

Much love and appreciation for being by my side this past year.

Cheers to 2024 -

Stephanie