Okay everyone, here is the long awaited update on life! I
know it has been a while, but I think that’s just because life is
moving forward so there is less to update you all on :)!
I’ll
start with the important piece, I am officially 2 1/2 years CANCER
FREE!! Follow up wit Dr. Lin, my oncologist, went well overall. They
continue to be happy with my progress and excited for where life is
headed. I see him in a year and hopefully will not need scans if my MRI
in six months looks good. Huge step! Every time they bump down those
restrictions I feel like I’ve achieved a new milestone in my recovery
and they are less concerned with each visit about it coming back. Huge
deep breath about that!
Alright
now that the important info is out there I’ll back up a bit. When I
last left you, I was in physical therapy, seeing a wonderful new pain
doctor, followed up with my plastic surgeon, wedding planning and
working part time hours. Much of that has remained the same. With
therapy and new meds my pain is more controlled, although still limiting
my daily function so we are still exploring options. Unfortunately my
pain doc is leaving penn as of this month so I have to find a new one.
My oncologist recommended a replacement and I will probably start there
to see how I feel about it all. I am also starting to live with the
lifelong side effects of the type of treatment I had. Damage to my teeth
and to my thyroid, changes in the density of my cervical spine,
persistently fibrotic muscles, spasms, appetite issues and so on. There
is certainly a price to pay for having my life saved, but as long as it
isn’t cancer I know we can handle it as it comes. My plastic surgeon
also discussed with us a few options for the future if and when my
function declines but feels with how well I’m doing it would be more
hurtful than beneficial to do at this point, so that is on the back
burner to allow me to live life for a while.
Alright
so aside from the medical side of life, everything finally feels like
it should be for a 29 year old female, engaged, occupational therapist. I
am blessed to be planning a wedding with the love of my life for later
this year. I have an amazing group of friends and coworkers that support
my recovery more than they even realize to allow me to do a job that
makes me feel like I have a purpose again and live a full life. My
family is healthy and happy and despite their love for us they are very
happy that Owen and I will be moving out of mom and dads house soon to
really start life together. I can’t forget my two wonderful fur-babies
that take the best care of me on my tired days. Remove the cancer
journey and all of those positive bits may not have happened the way
they have.
I’m learning
now that living beyond the cancer is the true test, dealing with the
parts that won’t get better, embracing my new normal, living in the
moment and becoming the best version of myself despite the downsides.
Overcoming the cancer itself was a temporary battle, the new battle is
accepting the life I have been given and making it work despite its
unwillingness to cooperate the way I want it all to. This is the part
that people don’t talk about. They focus on the cancer being gone, which
is certainly a reason to celebrate. But no one likes to talk about what
comes next, especially for a woman my age who should be living a
healthy, disability free life. Whatever that is, I know it will be
doable, although maybe not always pleasant. Thank you all so much for
the prayers and continued support! Your confidence in my strength has
made all the difference in how I have been able to face this monster and
come out on top and I will be forever grateful. Hopefully the next
update I will be 3 years cancer free, a month away from becoming a
married woman and turning 30! I have a feeling I’m going to want a lot
of wine in the fall!
Love to you all!
Devin ❤️
