Lisa's F-Cancer Blog

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Last Radiation

I am done with radiation!

Radiation isn’t done with me, though. Skin irritation/redness will peak in the next week or so. I already have an extremely itchy rash.

But I am (probably) done with all my cancer treatments!

Hopefully when I meet with Dr. Brufsky on the 22nd, he won’t tell me I have to take a pill or something. He seemed to indicate at the last appointment that I may not need to.

It’s been a long road from my diagnosis on August 31st. Chemo. Surgery. Radiation.

And it’s not really over. It will never be over.

I saw a video yesterday that called cancer a trauma. Your whole life changes in an instant. And scanxiety is real. I will always worry about recurrence. I know Dr. Brufsky said the odds are 10% that it will come back, but he’s also not psychic.

I really hope this is one and done. One was plenty. I lost almost a year of my life, and will be spending the next year on follow up appointments and waiting for my taste buds and hair to come back. I don’t think I’ll feel like it’s truly behind me until those are normal again and when I can stop taking the blood thinner. It will be a new normal.

But for now, I can look back and be proud of myself for getting through one of my greatest fears. I did it! I’m on the other side!

I got a certificate and rang the bell. I’m going out for dinner with Aaron tonight to celebrate (Doran has Prom).

Lisa holding a certificate, next to a bell

Don’t worry, this won’t be the last you’ll hear of me! In addition to my upcoming appointments, I’ll still have updates, albeit not as regularly.

Fuck cancer! Here’s hoping it’s fucked well and good!!

lisa

22 responses to “Last Radiation”

  1. Congratulations on completion of your treatment regimen. Hope there will be NO RECURRENCE, and that life will return to a new normal with fresh new outlooks! Love to you and your family!

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  2. Yay! I know it’s been a long and drawn out past 9 months but you are a fighter! I’m glad you are done and hope that’s it! Can’t wait to see u this summer! ❤️

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  3. I am verklempt reading this. Will put “pennies in the pushke” for your continued well-being. xoxo Melinda

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  4. HOORAY! And you DID get a certificate and a chance to ring that bell! Hoping your Dr. is “on the money” with his prediction and that there will be no need for further treatment and NO recurrence! Enjoy your celebratory dinner tonight. Yay! xoxo

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  10. Yay!!! I’m so glad this phase is over. Now on to bigger and better healing and recovery. You are AMAZING!!! Enjoy dinner.

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  11. Yay!! You are finally done. You have been a trooper this entire year, so proud of you! Enjoy your celebration tonight. Happy times ahead! Love, Beverly and Larry

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  12. Well Lisa your 9 months are over. This has been quite the trip but gauging by your picture, you look AMAZING. You have shown us how to deal with something devastating and how to do it with dignity and grace. You shared some of your scariest moments and you taught most of us what breast cancer is all about. Keep that upbeat sunny outlook going and thank you for being so inclusive of us all.

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  13. YAY LISA!!!!!!! Yay you did it!! I’m grateful for your return to good health🙏🏼❤️

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  16. Congratulations, and thank you for including us on your journey! A cancer diagnosis changes us forever – physically, mentally, and emotionally. Maybe your blog can now be a touchstone for those who come after you. Through your truth maybe others can navigate the stormy waters that a cancer diagnosis brings. The saying goes, “It takes a village…” Maybe in this case, it takes a writer…”

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  17. CONGRATULATIONS, WARRIOR…and now BELL RINGER. hoping all these treatment issues resolve soon…and this is the end of this difficult chapter. BRAVO.
    especially ending so close to the time of your birthday, probably thinking of your sister, surely, this must have yet again altered your perspective on many things. i can only imagine cause of how my battle at 13 changed me.

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  18. Fabulous news! So happy for you and truly hope the ugly C stays away for good! Hugs! – Paul

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  19. We’ll Lisa, You reached the finish line in first place ! It was a long hard journey but you never wavered! You stayed strong and proved to be stronger than the Pittsburgh Steelers 😉. I am happy that I raised $5364.00 in your honor. Time to party 🎉 🥳🎈🎊🍾👯‍♀️

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