I’m Positive I’m Negative

I received the results of my first round of genetic testing today … I opted for testing (no charge to women under 60 in Ontario) to see if I carried the BRCA1 or BRCA2 gene mutations. I won the first round of Jeopardy … or perhaps it sounds more like a Jerry Springer episode ……

My Glass is Half Full!

I was driving home from the Cancer Centre last week … stopped at a red light. I looked over to the right and BAM! I was rear-ended by a truck. Thankfully I was stopped far enough back that I didn’t hit the car in front of me, but I was thrown forward a good five…

It’s All About Me

It’s all about me right now. I will admit that I have an ego. Without being a narcissist.  I have lived thirteen years with one of those and can tell you that is much different than being selfish and self-centred.  It was that pride that refused to allow me to give up on the narcissist. …

Authentic Voice

I have been asked … and my closest friends have been asked … about why I blog. Why I write with such candor.  Except it’s not always called candor. Shock value. Attention whore. Outrageous behaviour. Brutal honesty. Why does she blog that? An art gallery. Best thing I have read in ten years. She gave…

Friends With Cancer

This blog entry has been guest authored by my friend Sherri, whom I love with all my heart.  She has been by my side since my cancer journey started … understands me best since she has seen a similar road … and taps me on the shoulder when she has something to say … I…

Savor the Flavor

Part Two of my sensory tour, compliments of chemo.  Part One can be found here: Sense of Smell I am home from my second infusion of Taxol – my second type of chemotherapy drug and sixth infusion overall.  I have ten more to go.  Before they give me Taxol, they stop my immune system from…

My Spirituality is Whole

Spirituality Through Illness. A topic I have not touched since being diagnosed with Triple Negative Breast Cancer is my spirituality. It has been with me throughout this journey. My faith that there is a God – perhaps not the same God that you were brought up to believe in – but nevertheless a God ……

Taxol on my Nerves

I’m an adventurous person.  I’ll try anything twice. Most of my childhood summer weekends were spent in rural Vermont.  My Father would arrive home from work on Friday night, grab a quick sandwich for dinner, and we would pile into the car for the over two-hour drive from the south shore of Montreal, Quebec. to…

Fever

Well, I’m hot blooded, check it and see I got a fever of a hundred and three Come on baby, do you do more than dance? I’m hot blooded, I’m hot blooded … Hot Blooded by Foreigner Sorry … this isn’t a Hot Andrew* Diaries post. I waited a full 24 hours to see where…

I AM the Storm

And … I am Storm. Let me introduce you to her … as a thunder and lightning storm rages outside.  It is only fitting! Cancer may have raged inside of me, but I am determined to beat it and rage back. Today marks the end of Phase 13 – I think … if I am…

Dust to Dust

Have you decided your funeral arrangements?  Have you even thought about them?  What, where, when and how do you want your body to spend its eternity returning to star dust? The options, these days, are endless. My emotions over the pending Chemo 4 infusion bubbled over today, and tears spilled over life & death, unresolved…

Stage IV

What is your favourite season? What is your most favourite thing to do in that season? What is something you’ve always wanted to do but haven’t yet done? What is your biggest wish? Now close your eyes and imagine you’ve just been told you have Stage IV cancer and only 6 months to live. What…