Tag: doreen
Screening month is finally over (April 2024)
April 29, 2024 Breast cancer update. Doreen and I were busy this month. Medical oncologist visit, chest x-ray, bone scan, whole abdomen ultrasound are all clear (my liver ultrasound says I am fat… yes, I am working on that weight loss!). Next round of screening in about six months.
63. Hello from Doreen after a Long Time, and (the lack of) Bone Density
Hello from me and Doreen the Breast Cancer Mascot this Saturday morning, on the way to the hospital for my checkup She also kept me company while waiting to be seen in clinic. Breast surgeon Dr. Aldine Basa met Doreen in real life for the first time today, and like most people she was surprised […]
61. Doreen Follows Up on the Hair Progress
We haven’t seen [breast cancer mascot] Doreen in a while, so here she is demonstrating my hair progress between October 1, 2022 and October 31, 2023. The photo from today (2023) is a screenshot from Zoom before our (hybrid) rounds with the residents this morning… much easier than trying to position Doreen over my head […]
58. Making meaning out of illness through multiple lenses
Hooray, presentation done! Doreen the breast cancer mascot has made her debut on the international academic conference circuit. Grateful for the opportunity to talk about my breast cancer learnings and experiences (aka the craziness of 2022) at the Asia Pacific Bioethics Education Network Congress 2023, held at St. Luke’s Medical Center at Bonifacio Global City, […]
55. April Screening
Update. April’s screening is done! Seeing the physicians (breast surgeon and oncologist) who ordered the tests next week. Bone scan, blood work, abdominal ultrasound, chest x-ray and finally today… a chest wall ultrasound at the (no-)breast center where all the health craziness of 2022 started in February of that year. At least I didn’t have […]
54. Haircut, Hooray!
Haircut, hooray! Here I am looking absolutely excited about the first post-chemotherapy haircut. Goodbye unruly chia pet hair. Hello hair “trimmed into submission” (thanks to my friend Elaine for that appropriate phrase). Doreen approves.
53. An Anniversary, and Making Progress
March 31, 2023Doreen the breast cancer mascot celebrates the first anniversary of boobless-ness with one of the foobs from Knits by May. They are also known as “knitted knockers“. April 4, 2023 It’s been a busy couple of days, and will be busy through next week. I will be undergoing all sorts of surveillance tests, […]
52. Chemo Brain and Aphasia
I’ve sent some friends an early draft of this post, and was debating whether I should put it here for everyone to see. Obviously I’ve decided 🙂 so here it is along with Doreen in an oversized bucket hat to represent chemo brain. Two days ago, I realized I am not ready to start seeing […]
51. Goodbye, Portacath!
January 17, 2023 Update. Today’s milestone: portacath was removed this morning. Woohoo! Recall that the portacath was placed back in May 2022 so that I could avoid having an intravenous line (IV line, or IV access) placed at every session for chemotherapy. Since IV access will not be needed at regular, frequent-ish intervals anymore, my […]
50. A Lola (Grandmother) Day
December 22, 2022 Update. I had a “lola” day (in English: “grandmother” day): fatigue and more pronounced joint pains. Recall that joint pains are one of the most common side effects of anastrozole, which I have to take for 5 years. No, I did not need to take any pain medicine, but as I powered […]
