Life 2.0
Hey, hi, how are ya!?
I’m officially 5 weeks out from my double mastectomy and time is a moving quickly!
Over these last few weeks since my last blog post, I’ve graduated from the recliner in the basement back to my bed, I no longer have to wear the super tight and uncomfy compression bra, my drains are out, and my C. diff infection has gone away! Last week I also finally got the tape off of my incisions for the first time and was able to see the scars. They are healing up so nice!
I never thought I’d actually say this… but the scars are beautiful. They are big, but they will forever be a daily reminder of this life-changing journey I’ve been on since last June.
Last week I had some really exciting (yet scary) conversations with both Radiation Oncology and my Oncology team. I was told that I will NOT be needing any radiation or any types of oral chemo to complete my treatment regimen. I am officially done with cancer treatment. It’s quite hard to articulate how this feels, as it’s something I’ve dreamed about for so long. Days when there seemed to be a dark, gloomy rain cloud overhead and I spent hours on the couch, I couldn’t even fathom making it here, it just felt so far away.
It’s a very vulnerable time to just be let free. Like, what do you mean that you don’t need to see me for another 3 months? What do you mean I NEVER need another mammogram again? This drop in care seems to cause a spike in anxiety because I have been watched very carefully these last few months. This is the time when the healthy mindset I’ve developed over the last few months really comes in handy.
Now that this freedom is here I’ve been enjoying every second of it. I have started this habit on my TikTok where I take small little video clips of my day and focus on romanticizing every aspect of my life. From my morning coffee, to getting movement in via my walks, to being able to go shopping without worrying about getting sick… it’s all such a blessing and things I will never take for granted again, ever. You can watch my daily videos that romanticize my life after cancer by clicking right here.
If only I could wipe my hands and just be done. But just because the treatments are done doesn’t mean my body is back to normal. That’s just not how the human body works. As of right now I have follows-ups scheduled in…
Integrative Medicine
Family Medicine
Nutrition
GI
Physical Therapy
Dermatology
Physical Medicine
It’s a full-time job to focus on your health. So if you’re ever questioning buying that expensive supplement or gym membership - do it! It’s better to invest in your health on the front end vs. when something goes downhill.
My Oncologist said I should be feeling like myself in about 6 months, but it usually takes at least 1 year to feel really good. That’s what makes this portion of the cancer journey difficult - others see that you are done with treatment and they take a huge sigh of relief because they don’t need to worry about you anymore. But the battle isn’t over. We still don’t know all of the damage the treatment has done. My body still has a lot of fighting to do to regain its strength and mobility. There are some things my body will never be able to do on its own without prescription medication. With survivors of Triple Negative Breast Cancer, the first 2-3 years are the most critical to remaining cancer-free.
Here is some general guidance for everyone to focus on to prevent cancer and/or prevent cancer recurrence:
150-300 minutes of physical exercise per week
2 full body workouts per week
Limit alcohol intake
Limit intake of processed meats
The majority of your plate should be plants - fruits, vegetables, nuts, and whole grains
As for my surgery recovery - it’s also still not over. I will randomly get shooting pains in my breasts. It’s weird to touch them because some areas have feeling and some don’t. This tissue expander that I have in currently is NOT comfortable. It pops and dimples, and the saline in it sloshes. I recently found out that I am on a waitlist that is 6-8 months long to get in for my exchange surgery, so it’s going to be quite a while until I get my implants. But my hope is that when I do they feel comfortable. They will never feel like mine, but I hope I learn to love them and embrace them.
I’ve recently signed off my permission on two studies that will be taking my breast tissue that was removed during surgery and using it to further cancer research. It’s the least that I can do - because everything that I’ve gone through cannot be for nothing. What’s cool is that my tissue will be kept for ongoing and future research of breast cancer at Mayo Clinic. It will be stored forever. So when I am long gone off this earth, my tissue will still remain. Now that is taking the lemons life gave you and making lemonade.
I look at all the appointments I have scheduled in the upcoming weeks and I think - I don’t HAVE to do any of this. But I get to. These are things I have chosen to do, to better myself and to start this new phase of my life off as healthy as possible.
I call this new phase, Life 2.0.
This portion of my life is what I consider my second chance, a season I enter with beautiful new perspectives that I have gained from hitting rock bottom and being brushed with mortality.
This may be odd to say, and tougher to hear, but I needed my cancer in a way. I needed it to show me what was really important. How I am blessed in so many ways. How there are so many people in my life who love me. To allow me to let my guard down and not care what people think. Show me how life is worth living. To show me how great God is. To show me how to reignite my passions and find joy in every day.
Reminder: We all have two lives. The second one starts when you realize you only have one.
I am determined to make this the best summer yet! The summer of mocktails, self-love, and reconnecting with friends I haven’t seen since my life took a turn. I also plan on taking online classes on Nonprofit Management to turn Brave Beautiful Boobies into a nonprofit!
Of course, I will keep you all in the loop as I do all of the things!
Love & light,
Xo, Breanna
