A week ago, the area around my scar started hurting. I didn’t know what to make of this, as my surgery was months ago. After talking to a couple of people and posting in my local breast cancer group (412 Thrive), I got my answer: it’s the nerves regenerating. Which is a good thing, but man, is it painful! Thankfully, after a few days, the pain went away. But I’m fully expecting it to come back. One person said she has it every day and her doctor told her she could feel it up to two years. Another person said her doctor told her it would be “years.”
My question now is, why wasn’t I told about this‽ Chalk this up to yet another detail that I had to find out on my own. Thank goodness for other survivors!
Speaking of, there’s one in particular that helped me throughout my journey. Kari and I met through Thrive, when we found out our journeys started around the same time. Kari was a little ahead of me, and had her surgery before chemo instead of after like me. We texted throughout, checking on each other regularly and complaining about our side effects, which felt never-ending.
Thanks to Facebook, we discovered that we were mutual friends with a Temple family whose son Jack is the same age as Doran. Kari’s daughter is a graduating senior as well. Yesterday, we went to Jack’s graduation party, where Kari and I finally got to meet in person after all this time. “We’re twins!” she proclaimed. You can tell by the picture that she’s right!
My taste buds are not 100% but I’d say they’re maybe at least 90% back.
I’m getting closer to finalizing my tattoo. I think I have a design (thanks to my mother-in-law’s help), but have to figure out sizing and placement. Initially, I wanted to avoid the pink ribbon because it’s so problematic. The thing is, it really is emblematic of breast cancer. You see a pink ribbon, and you know exactly what it means. So at this point, my design includes a pink ribbon…
If you know of any inspirational lines about strength or resilience, like Maya Angelou’s “Still I rise,” let me know! I LOVE this quote and would love to use that too, but it’d be appropriation since she wrote that poem about slavery. I’ve been told it’s in songs as well, but I’m not sure which came first – and Maya Angelou’s poem is definitely the most synonymous.
6 responses to “Summer Update”
Lisa, my name is Veronica. Your parents are dear friends of mine. I have been following your journey.
If you are looking for a symbol that may meet what you are looking for,
it is an Adinkra, and the symbol is called WAWA ABA. Look what it stands for, and let me know what you think.
To me, it describes all that you stand for.
Peace, v
Love it! But I feel like this would be appropriation also! Plus, I kind of want people to know what it means when they see it…
I have learned over the past 30+ years since my modified neck dissection, that nerves regenerate very slowly. Sometimes, my scar still reminds me it is there. In a way, it reminds me to be thankful. It’s good that you know now why your scar began to hurt. Try to be patient.
Lisa: re: the pain of your nerves regenerating: a mixed blessing. try otc voltaren; just rub it on the area. also try a heating pad. [portable ones run on rechargeable batteries available on amazon.]
Guess you learn something new everyday (re: pain where you had surgery). Not so surprising since when you break a bone, it hurts whenever the weather changes. Happy to see you met your twin! That’s amazing! I have no doubt that as you continue on this journey you will learn more new things and make new friends too! ♥️♥️
Lisa, if there is anyone capable of researching all of the things she wasn’t told about it is you. I think your ability to understand, read up on or track down info is legend. Once more you’re ahead of the game and you have clarified so much for so many with your “inmyhead.com”. Your past year has shown us all how to navigate through the healthcare industry.