Marla's new hair |
A friend asked me recently if 2013 had been the worst year of my life. I thought about her question for a moment then responded that it had not. Needless to say, she was rather surprised by my answer.
Yes, it is true that I was diagnosed with stage 3, triple
negative breast cancer in May, resulting in four-and-a-half months of
chemotherapy and a bilateral mastectomy in October. Was I frightened when the
doctors confirmed my diagnosis? Of
course. Was I apprehensive during the
chemo treatments? Absolutely. Did I experience side effects and
complications from the drugs that were prescribed to cure me? Yes, and then some. Was I emotionally prepared to have “the girls”
surgically removed in exchange for an extended life?
Uhhhh, does a bear s--- in the woods? So, why in heaven's name was 2013 not the worst year of my life? Simple. I learned to express love more freely, complain less, forgive easily, show compassion, and pray daily. Instead of adopting a “why me” attitude when doctors confirmed I had cancer, I chose to embrace the disease, which lead to a candid self-evaluation and a more tolerant view of life in general. I like to think that I’m a softer, gentler version of myself.
Uhhhh, does a bear s--- in the woods? So, why in heaven's name was 2013 not the worst year of my life? Simple. I learned to express love more freely, complain less, forgive easily, show compassion, and pray daily. Instead of adopting a “why me” attitude when doctors confirmed I had cancer, I chose to embrace the disease, which lead to a candid self-evaluation and a more tolerant view of life in general. I like to think that I’m a softer, gentler version of myself.
When I was diagnosed with the “Big C,” I never expected to
become a lifetime member of a sisterhood comprised of breast cancer survivors. Unfortunately, this sorority has far too many
members, but I have learned that my new comrades are determined, strong-willed
women with a common mission: to support
each other and offer guidance and shared experiences when asked. I am grateful to my “sisters” for their
honesty when I was unsure of what to expect during the treatment process and
their words of encouragement when I became anxious. As a new member of the sisterhood, I plan to
be a sounding board for other women who may find themselves walking down a
similar path. Together, we are all
stronger, and together, we can conquer this insidious disease.
Over the past few months, I have realized that some of the
effects of the chemotherapy are still with me, reminding me of my journey and
that it isn't over. Sometimes, it’s the
small things I notice, like my fingernails that have yet to grow back. They are still stubby and split easily. In addition, my left knee and both
hips ache frequently – a post-chemo ailment that occasionally limits my ability
to rise from the couch or a chair. And I continue to have digestive issues that
will require further investigation later in January.
A few friends were concerned that my long, thick eyelashes
would grow back shorter and thinner, but I’m happy to report that hasn't been
the case. My green “cat eyes” are once
again surrounded by an abundance of black lashes. And my eyebrows are so thick that I recently
had to have them shaped up. What I wasn't
expecting after the chemotherapy was a growth of very light peach fuzz on my
face. Fortunately, it isn't noticeable
unless someone is in my personal space, which isn't recommended if the person
values his/her appendages.
Marla on New Year's Day 2014 with her new friend, Coco Chanel |
It is no surprise that the new year will continue to be filled with oncology check-ups, PET scans and appointments with my plastic surgeon, Dr. Yuen. It is anticipated that the reconstruction procedure will be scheduled in late March or early April, which will be confirmed when I meet with the surgeon on January 14. The journey continues.....
It was in the early hours of New Year’s Day when I heard the
nearby church bells ringing as I watched my new feline companion, Coco Chanel,
play with her ball of yarn. It was at
that very moment when I experienced a feeling of contentment - an emotion that evaded me for months - and hopefulness that
2014 would be a healthy year not only for me but for my friends and loved ones, as well.
Cheers to the New Year.