Hellooooo October .. — pretty(sic)

Oct 1

Oct 1 Hellooooo October ..

Well hellooooooo October!

For years, I’ve counted down the months, then weeks, then days until the tenth month of the year. Two important events would occur in this month. I’d get my mammogram and I’d partaaayyyyyy! Birthdays have always been special to me. Its a time of growth but it’s also a time for reflection. And the feeling of anticipation has never been greater than reaching October 2020!

This month is the triple threat!

Birthday on the 15th -Traditionally, I’ve spent my birthday in some far away place. More times than not with my best friends somewhere with clear water and sand. This year, I don’t have such luxury but I’ll still celebrate of course.

Surgery on the 20th - Dr. Shuck expanded my right breast for the final time today. I’m moving on to phase 2 of reconstruction. I’m patient. I know that reconstruction can have multiple steps. Still I’m happy to be moving on …

Breast cancer awareness month - there’s always a lot of fanfare about breast cancer awareness during the month of October. Some people that have been impacted by the disease are triggered in October by “pinkwashing - a marketing ploy that companies use to make loads of money on the heels of breast cancer awareness. Some of these companies actually only donate less than 10% of their profit to Breast cancer organizations.What’s more the effort goes to pink shirts and socks and other frivolous products and not to research. I believe that everyone is aware of breast cancer. We need to spend money on research, not awareness!

Triple Negative breast Cancer. This breast cancer differs from other types of invasive breast cancer in that they grow and spread faster, have limited treatment options, and a worse prognosis (outcome). Triple-negative breast cancer has fewer treatment options than other types of invasive breast cancer. This is because the cancer cells do not have the estrogen or progesterone receptors or enough of the HER2 protein to make hormone therapy or targeted drugs work.

Why aren’t there more options to cure this aggressive disease?

But all stories don’t end badly. With God’s grace, I made it to the other side. In light of this breast cancer awareness month, my story is being celebrated in Houston Methodist’s Leading Medicine Magazine. None of this would have been possible if not for God’s grace and mercy..