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Hi, friends. It’s been a minute! I just wanted to share that today I am officially 5 months out of chemo! That sounds super gangster, right?!

Many things have changed since October, and I feel like there’s a bit more “normalcy” happening. I’ve gone back to work part-time and have had wonderful patients. I almost forgot how much I love patient care. I got vaccinated for COVID. I even got my first post-chemo haircut… What more can a girl ask for?

I’m still having to remind myself that I’m only about six weeks out of radiation because some days I get so frustrated by the level of fatigue I feel after only a 6-hour work day. Cancer fatigue does not equal regular fatigue, y’all. It’s a level of physical and emotional exhaustion that I would not wish on anyone. Even a full night of sleep doesn’t quite seem to be enough to fully recharge. I’m not telling you this to complain, but just to remind you to be gentle with your friends and family who’ve had cancer. The long-term effects are not always visible, but they are very, very real.

I can’t remember if I’ve said this, but being officially “cancer free” and completing treatment has not been easy. Over the past year, I was 100% in survival mode, jumping through all the hoops to get this obnoxious little invader out of my body. Then treatment ended, and honestly nothing could’ve prepared me for the emotional tsunami I’ve experienced.

Don’t get me wrong, I am overwhelmingly grateful to have had treatment work so well for me. I know that I am lucky to have caught it early and that a cure was an option. Most days, I can find the joy in knowing I’ve survived and that my body is healing, but there are many days where I feel the very real fear of recurrence or a deep sadness that my life will never quite be as carefree as it was before. There are a lot of tears. I know that this will all get better with time and I’m learning to give myself grace, but the struggle is real, you know?

For now, I’m just taking it one day, one hour, one breath at a time and learning to find peace among the challenges. I’m thankful for all of you reading this. Don’t forget to send a little love to those you love today.

If you’re feeling extra generous, TNBC awareness month is still going strong until March 31! Right now, your donation to the Triple Negative Breast Cancer Foundation will be tripled thanks to some generous sponsors!

Curious what current TNBC research focus is on?

• Anti-androgen hormonal therapy options
• Immunotherapy options (targeted treatments) for TNBC with specific basal-like tumors
• PARP-inhibitors for TNBC patients with BRCA genetic mutations
• Development of a TNBC vaccine (How cool! I love preventative medicine!)

DONATE HERE or make a purchase from Paris Laundry (a clean living site owned by a fellow #breastie who is donating 10% of all purchases to TNBC research this month) to help us advance TNBC research and find more treatment options for my fellow TNBC warriors!

Aloha ❤