2.5 year update - 3/12/18

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 ❤️