When did you get diagnosed?
January 31st, 2024. In the morning that day, I didn’t have cancer. In the afternoon, I did. Life is weird like that.
Did you find the critter or did they find it during testing?
They found it during a routine mammogram, which I’ve been having since I was 35 because everyone in my freaking family has breast cancer. Other people have lots of other kinds of cancer, but cancer really loves our breasts. Like, a lot. In our family, cancer is a breast man.
What kind of cancer is it?
Invasive Lobular Carcinoma, estrogen and progesterone positive, HERS-2 negative. Different than what my mom and sister had. You know how I like to do my own thing.
Did you get tested for “the gene”?
Breast cancer has lots of genes, but, yes, and I don’t have one of the ones they can test for, nor does the rest of my family, who has also been tested. That said, my grandmother died of breast cancer, my mother survived with a double mastectomy, my younger sister survived with a double mastectomy, and my cousin survived with a lumpectomy and radiation (what I’m having) and yes, that’s a ridiculous history so I’ve been waiting for this diagnosis for 25 years—that’s why I can laugh about it. It’s the family curse. Other of my genes are quite nice, though, and have served me well, so… tradeoffs. I can roll my tongue and I’m good at sports and a few other things.
What stage are you?
Stage one. It’s early. I’m not going to die, so don’t freak out, at least about this. Other things you can totally freak out about and probably should. Just do it on your own time because I have a lot going on over here.
What kind of treatment are you having?
A lumpectomy and radiation to start. Likely, I’ll also be given tamoxifen, which will keep me from producing too much estrogen because my cancer is estrogen and progesterone receptive. Tamoxifen is like menopause in a pill, but since I’m 50 I’m headed there anyway, maybe it won’t be so bad? Not looking forward to any of it in any case.
When is your surgery?
April 18th. Trying to get my taxes finished early. I’d rather that than death.
Do you need referrals for care?
I’m really good for now. The head of breast surgery at Penn is my surgeon. She’s a badass. I’m doing a lumpectomy, and she’s going through my nipple like a goddamn ninja.
What will radiation be like?
Who knows. I have to go there M-F for 4-6 weeks for them to fry my right breast, which I’m sure will take offense in the form of soreness, irritation, rashes, etc., and it will permanently change the skin and tissue. The radiation will have the cumulative effect of making me tired and cranky. Early May, you may see me out having dinner at the corner pub or puttering in the garden. I will start radiation in June. So late June, I may be sleeping all day. We’ll see.
I know you. Are you going to actually rest?
Ummm…. I’ll try? (Side note: Does anyone really ever know anyone? We can discuss later.)
Do you have to have chemo?
Not as of yet, but my thoughts are with the Princess of Wales. I have many friends who are going through it. If they find cancer in my lymph nodes when they do the surgery, I’ll have to do chemo. But that’s not in the plan so far. I’d really like to keep Julie at Juju in business and would be sad to lose my locks.
How are you feeling?
Well, considering that I have cancer. I’d really rather not have it. But I really like naps so maybe this is the lifestyle for me.
Frankly, it’s hard to be down when everyone you know is telling you you’re a stone cold killer who is going to seriously mess cancer up and that they’ll lay down in front of a bus for you. Or at least make you lasagne. I’ve had one offer for bedside martinis (feel free to keep up with the Joneses here).
Really, I’m playing music every day, and walking, and working on the spring issue, my partner is amazing, my people are out in force, it’s springtime in Queen Village which is truly beautiful. Things could be worse, and are for a lot of people.
I’ve also recently picked up the violin (thank you Mr. Golden!), which means the only people who don’t totally support me right now are my poor neighbors.
What can I do?
Please refer to the Ta Ta Brouhaha Home Page. Supporting me by supporting Root Quarterly is really the best way to help right now. And get your own titties checked, please.