Tag: genetics

Glanda’s 1 Year Goneda

Posted on July 8, 2018 by

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The week inevitably came with a wide range of emotions leading up to my surgery anniversary, July 6, 2018…exactly 1 year since the day we officially said goodbye to Glanda. I’ve spent some time reflecting and parsing through the defining moments that got us… Continue Reading “Glanda’s 1 Year Goneda”

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The Valleys

Posted on September 25, 2017 by

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powell wedding

This post has nothing to do with our wedding, but those pictures remind me of happier days and days where I felt beautiful, healthy, and 100% like myself. I struggled far more in the last 4 days than I care to admit, but I… Continue Reading “The Valleys”

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Game Time

Posted on September 9, 2017 by

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I was thinking on my way to work yesterday how the weight of things had lessened a little lately. How I haven’t felt the heaviness of what’s going on as much despite all the appointments, and I’ve actually forgotten anything happened for the most… Continue Reading “Game Time”

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Teenage Mutated Ninja Valerie

Posted on September 6, 2017 by

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Things have been so up and down, that I don’t even know where to start. Just last week we went from getting perfectly clear results from my PET scan on Tuesday morning to getting Strata test results back on Thursday, finding out there’s a… Continue Reading “Teenage Mutated Ninja Valerie”

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Fellow warrior friends…listen up! For real, give this podcast a listen. A radiation oncologist friend, Dr. Matt Spraker, created this masterpiece and has a whole episode on the mental health and mindfulness of cancer patients and it’s incredible! It chronicles many of the triggers, thoughts, and feelings we all went through and continue to go through as we continue on our journeys. Episode linked in my story! Enjoy!
I know it’s only March, but the bugs are out in full force in Alabama and I’m apparently extra sweet! 😉 I was out pulling up a few weeds in the yard yesterday and felt one bite my right on the back of the neck (treatment side of course) So by bedtime, that sucker had swelled up like a watermelon. One of the “gifts” of surgery where lymph nodes are removed is some extra fluid accumulation due to my body not really knowing how to drain the fluid anymore so here we are. A few years ago I would have though something was REALLY wrong and spent days spiraling the drain but thanks to the good Lord and 5+ years of healing, now Ill just pop a Benadryl and exist with this fruit sized itchy spot on the back of my neck for a few days. 😜 Swipe to see how dang close this bite is to my scar! (And God bless my surgeon 🫶🏻 and that resident that stitched me up too!)
This is us a week ago. And life is pretty normal these days. We stay busy with our jobs, travel as much as we can, spend as much time together as we can, and generally take one day at a time. If I’m honest, not much shakes me much anymore. (For instance, I’ve had some sore throat respiratory junk for a week or so and cancer has floated past my mind but it also kept going without any panic🤯) However, also being honest, some days cut me at the knees and I just feel icky and blanketed in the nastiness of anxiety. It’s not anxiety about anything cancer related. The trigger actually isn’t really identifiable most of the time. But the icky symptoms still persist in these moments. The back of my neck gets hot, slight nausea sets in, I lose all semblance of an appetite, and it takes hours for me to recover. And I LOATHE these days more than anything.
My Mom is having surgery today (non-cancer related thank God) but still feels a little nervy to be back in a surgical waiting room. There’s a full Moses kind of flood of memories and feelings that go along with the entire essence of these kinds of places. Our first family surgery was for Mom’s lumpectomy in 2015 followed by my parotidectomy in 2017 🙃 and while I am FAR beyond where I ever thought I’d be in terms of healing (especially mentally) I can’t help but think back to those very distinct and anxious moments before I went back for prep (and at that point I didn’t even know Glanda was malignant). Humbled today but progress, by the Lord’s provision and protection, and the grace and mercy to even be sitting here today. Say a prayer for my mama if you get a minute. She’s got a decent recovery ahead of her! 🦵🏻
Infertile Myrtle || Gone, Glanda, Gone
5 years since the first fraction. 5 years of extreme healing and growth behind me. It will never stop feeling like yesterday and a billion years ago at the same time. Onward and upward. #goneglandagone

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