This was my second A to Z challenge, and my first time as a minion (one of Stormy’s Helpers.) It’s also been an April with a lot more to do than I expected, with the result that I didn’t get as much out of it as I hoped, because I wasn’t able to put as much in as I’d planned.
When I signed up I knew I’d be taking adult classes (see O post) in April, and I planned for that. I also planned to pre-schedule my posts, I decided on my theme and a number of letters before I signed up, and I had several of the posts written and scheduled before mid-March.
I had breast cancer several years ago, and as part of the follow-up to that I get regular mammograms. Last summer, shortly before the first writing conference I’d scheduled, I was diagnosed (early, thank goodness) with ovarian cancer. I wrote a number of the 2013 Blogathon posts from my hospital bed, but the surgery went well, with good pathology results. I missed the conference (was in the hospital) and chemo pretty well destroyed my usual summer gardening. But by March my hair was growing back and I was feeling chipper again.
Then shortly after volunteering as a minion I had my regular mammogram: another breast cancer, this one on the other side. I had surgery before the Challenge started, again with excellent pathology (1a) and clean edges. I’m currently (since mid-April) getting radiation five days a week, and I’ll be on weekly Herceptin for the next year.
I am not particularly worried about any of the three cancers. They’re apparently unconnected, and I am not positive for either of the known BRCA mutations. But I am very annoyed at effectively losing a good part of another summer, and sorry also that I could not visit as many blogs as I had hoped. I did find some new blogs to follow, and picked up a few new followers myself.
I apologize for missing so many of you. I’ll continue checking out blogs following mine on the list during the A to Z Road Trip.
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I thought you did an amazing job even with all your obstacles.
Thank you for joining us!
Heather
I’m not sure weekly visits were enough, though. And I don’t have a lot of obstacles compared with many with families and jobs.
You are an inspiration to us all, Sue Ann. I can’t imagine doing all you do even in perfect health and with 3 cancers? I’d be content to keep up with a bit of reading!
After 45 years of living with diabetes, the cancer’s been an annoyance. All three were detected early and had good prognoses. But losing a breast is minor compared to losing my legs, my kidneys, or my sight, all of which have been real possibilities for a long time.
I’m so glad things are looking ok path-wise. I had no idea you were going through anything like that, and it always makes me ashamed of my down-times whenever my friends go through this – and I’m going through a phase where a lot of them are.
I loved your blog posts, and I’m glad I found you again, since I lost track of you some time last autumn.
Keep well
Jemima
It’s not that bad this time, aside from that fact that I really wanted to go to the Katchemak Bay writer’s conference this year and can’t because I’ll still be on daily radiation. At least I should be able to make the family reunion in July.
Congratulations on completing the challenge.
Sounds like you had a lot to cope with during the month, hope you’re feeling better now.
Just finished radiation therapy, thank goodness.