The BC Diaries

The BC Diaries Updates and reflections on Kate's experience with the beast that is breast cancer

15/12/2022

Its been a while since I posted an update - apologies for that! In that time I have been healing well and trying my best not to over-do it (patience is not my strongest virtue). I have had scans and test up the w***o and must be so full of radioactive goo that I'm sure I glow in the dark. Long story short, more surgery to come, but there is no plan for chemo right now as the risks outweigh the benefits. That's good news! Radiation is also not required given the extensiveness of my big surgery. Another tick. The next surgery was supposed to happen tomorrow, but COVID intervened (had managed to avoid it until now!) so surgery will be off until some time in January. All in all, I am grateful to be in reasonable shape heading into Christmas (despite COVID), particularly when so many other women are having a much tougher journey through breast cancer than I am. Wishing everyone a Christmas filled with love, laughter and good health!

I am home! After 8 days at St Johns’ hospital I am back at home - hooray! The staff at the hospital were wonderful but ...
03/11/2022

I am home! After 8 days at St Johns’ hospital I am back at home - hooray! The staff at the hospital were wonderful but I was more than ready to come home. In other good news, pathology showed I got clear margins, and although they found some more cancer in the other side, it was early stages and looks like they got it all out. Next step is to recover, and then see the oncologist and radiation oncologist. Lots of healing to do but am feeling very positive and so happy to be back with the family. The photo is Milo and Dash who were quick to line up for a snuggle on my lap when I got home. 🙂

31/10/2022

Well, I am into my 4th day post surgery and am improving every day. The surgery was a whoppa - over 9 hours but on the upside, I got to sleep through the entire thing 🤣. I have a whole new appreciation for the little things in life (using my phone easily, going to the loo by myself!) and am very much looking forward to going home, hopefully in a few days’ time. The surgeons are pretty happy with how everything went and now I just have to be patient while I wait for the pathology results and heal. This experience is teaching me many things. 1. A nurse who is good at their job and genuinely cares for their patients is worth his/her weight in gold 2. Humility - you don’t realise how lucky you are to be independent until you need to ask for help with the smallest of things 3. There is nothing good on TV at 2am!! Fingers and toes crossed that drains (hideous things that they are) come out soon and that pathology results are good.

Just one more sleep until I say goodbye forever to my "girls". Until recently, I had never contemplated life without my...
26/10/2022

Just one more sleep until I say goodbye forever to my "girls". Until recently, I had never contemplated life without my breasts - they have grown with me over 50 years, nourished three beautiful children, and as a woman, they form a big part of my identity. As sad as I am to see them go, I know it is my best shot to rid my body of this cancer and I remind myself how very lucky I am to live in a time and place where I have this option to save my life. I can and will get used to being a slightly different version of myself. Fingers and toes are all crossed for a complication free surgery and a speedy recovery. See you on the other side.

I can't believe it was just 9 September when I was diagnosed with breast cancer - it feels like I've been living this ro...
21/10/2022

I can't believe it was just 9 September when I was diagnosed with breast cancer - it feels like I've been living this rollercoaster for a lifetime already, but it is really only just the beginning. This Thursday sees the first really big step in this journey - the double mastectomy ("D" day). I'd be lying if I said I wasn't scared witless, but I know I'll be in great hands with my surgeons. I thought my days of worrying about body image were well and truly behind me, but I can't help but wonder what I will look and feel like after Thursday. Those worries aside, the biggest thing to come out of this surgery (and the pathology) will be a little more clarity around the ongoing treatment plan. I am keeping my fingers and toes crossed that this thing is well contained, and that the treatment won't be too crazy.

21/10/2022

Finding out a few short weeks ago that I would be spending the next little while dealing with breast cancer was a shock to say the least! I am grateful to have a bunch of friends and family in the wings supporting me as I take on this challenge. My story is sadly not unique - there are so many women (and men) who have walked this path before me and will follow behind, and from all of their collective courage I take strength.

For those keen to stay “abreast” of developments I will post updates and random thoughts on the ups and downs of this BC roller coaster. I hate roller coasters - can’t wait to get off this one!

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