Happy Little Accidents
Hey besties,
Sorry for the prolonged absence, but it honestly was for good and happy reasons! This past round (#2) was night and day from the first round… in the best way possible! So, I spent the last three weeks pretending I was normal(ish) and tried to stay busy. Hence, the lack of time to post and dwell on my current situation.
I know I alluded to being sick during round 1 in my last post, but I definitely left some details out about round 1 in an effort to stay positive. During Round 1 I was legitimately in bed for at least two weeks and “down bad” as my friends would say. Apparently having surgery Friday, surgery Sunday, and Round 1 Chemo Wednesday was not a good way to start off. Thankfully, that was not the case this time and hopefully I keep up this good stretch.
The past 3 weeks of Round 2 have been as good as it’s probably going to get. Mom and I were joking that they must not have given me enough chemo!
I was only sick one weekend, had some hydration issues, and SURPRISE! had some joint pain and swelling that is apparently a side effect, but overall I was able to be normal Maggie who stresses about work too much and really enjoys spending time doing ~ insert hobby I need to find here ~.
Ok, so maybe I just really like work…
Speaking of work, they have been wonderful in working to accommodate me! I am now a part-time telecommuter logging 20 hours/week so I can maintain my healthcare benefits and stay sane.
Yes, you read that right.
This silly goose decided to pay for her own healthcare when she started her first big girl job because she’s an independent queen who may have girl bossed a bit too close to the sun. ☀️
I also didn’t opt for the short term income relief (STIR) because “what 22 year old gets cancer?!” … Yes, those were words that left my mouth when someone explained to me that STIR was for employees who were worried about getting sick and not being able to work.
However, the silver lining through all of this is that my health insurance actually provides more coverage than what I would have received if I had stayed with my family plan. (Plot twist!)
Through my insurance there is no out-of-pocket fee for any imaging (X-Ray, CAT Scan, Bone Scan, MRI, all the things!) and a few other perks!
This is just one of the many “coincidences” that have occurred through this journey that have surmounted into SO many that they surely can no longer be called “coincidences”. I am not normally a very openly religious person, but when a LONG list of unexplainable things begins to form I have no choice but to recognize it has to be orchestrated by someone with a plan. I’ll let you decide…
Maggie’s List of Unexplained Breast Cancer Coincidences:
Taylor and I both had lumps discovered a few days apart and were imaged the same day. Thankfully only one sister got bad news!
The nurse assisting with my Port Placement two days before Egg Retrieval surgery actually used the same Fertility Clinic and was successful in having a child!
Girlbossed our way into better insurance because I am stubborn, independent, and work at a fabulous company.
Was diagnosed at the beginning of the fiscal year with a 1 year treatment plan. For those of us who understand how out-of-pocket payment limits work with insurance you will understand how huge this is!
There is never a good time to get Cancer, but at least I have graduated and don’t have children/anyone relying on me to do adult things!
Moved back to Fort Worth and became eligible for the only program in the United States to fully fund AYA Fertility Preservation treatment via the Rutledge Foundation. <3
Was connected with the Joan Katz Center at BSW because I am in Ft. Worth and received guidance and support from their Nurse Navigators and Ms. Joan. These ladies answer any question I have and also keep such a great attitude! They also host art therapy once a month which is more just crafting and talking each others heads off and I really like it.
That I found the lump in the first place! But tbh it is kinda hard to miss something the size of a walnut in your breast tissue lol.
Was pointed to FitSteps for Life (a North Texas ~ specific ~ Cancer Resource) and began sessions! FitSteps is a one-on-one guided workout session for Cancer Patients of all types aimed at helping you stay fit which proves to help in a myriad of ways!
Remembered I worked on Cancer Drug Delivery Research in high school at Texas Christian University. This is super weird because I was assigned a topic, right?
Had always joked “when I get breast cancer…” with friends and had anticipated getting it at some point. This sounds horrible, but I had a gut feeling and have heard other survivors say they felt the same.
Had my best childhood friends Amelia and Abbie happen to find themselves living in the Fort during this time! The three of us haven’t lived in the same city in the past 6 years!!!
After the first round of chemo and 3 week waiting period was complete, my entire tumor was no longer identifiable through a physical exam. This is huge it means that chemo is working!
There is a chance I will NOT have to do radiation!!
There’s more!
Along with the lucky 14 coincidences above and counting, some good routine things have happened as well!
I met with my breast surgeon and a date has been tentatively picked for the first week in June! I have also made the decision to have a double mastectomy with implant reconstruction. This was a big deal for me to finally say out loud. Up until this point I knew it would need to happen, but hadn’t really accepted the reality of it.
So, weirdly, aside from having cancer… I am in a pretty good place. Hopefully round 2 wasn't a fluke and I continue to slide right through this thing!
Round 3 of Chemo is tomorrow and officially marks the halfway done point!! Now I am off to bed so I can be ready to sit in the same spot all day lol!
TaTa for now,
Mags ;)
P.S. If you haven’t seen the Scrapbook page of this website yet, I recommend taking a peek!
