3 Week Post OP Update

THANK YOU!

I feel it’s important that I always begin with Gratitude! I’m humbled and feel a great sense of honor to be surrounded by so many amazing people. Your support has not gone unnoticed and please know you have each had a part in my recovery. I feel truly blessed for each and every one of you!

You have all helped in your own ways – from donating to the GoFundMe, spending time with me, helping around the house, keeping things as normal as possible for our children, and providing our family with a meal. I’ve been told I won’t be able to cook for at least another 3 weeks, so If you’re still interested in providing meals, please visit the link called skip the dishes on this blog or click on the link below.

skip the dishes but feed the kids

AN UPDATE ON THE LAST 3 WEEKS OF MY JOURNEY

I’m currently 3 weeks post op and less than half way through the 8 week surgical recovery timeline, but I’m doing well all things considered. I’m working hard at my daily exercises to regain my arms range of motion, as well as some nerve flossing to reduce the nerve tension in my left arm following some lymph nodes being removed. I won’t lie, I find it challenging being a patient… but i’m acutely aware that I need to get through this journey to emerge stronger and better for it.

I’m so eager to get back to doing the simple daily life things, but patience and kindness towards my healing body is imperative at this time. 

Another positive note from my surgery was that my pathology results came back with the best results possible. Although there were multiple tumors removed, there was no cancer found in the lymph nodes or chest wall, making my breast cancer staged at an early detection level. We are now even more confident that I will make a full recovery! I find myself feeling so grateful and fortunate to have caught the cancer early enough, although the journey in itself is filled with enormous challenges. I’m scheduled to see an oncologist in 4 weeks time, in order to discuss the second phase of my treatment. The waiting game is a tough one… but then again patience is not my strong suit and clearly the world is strongly suggesting that I put some work into getting better at it 😉

OCTOBER IS BREAST CANCER AWARENESS MONTH

And lastly, as we wind down summer and get ready for fall, it’s only fitting that we welcome the start of Breast Cancer Awareness Month in October. My mother and I (including both kids) have participated in the CIBC RUN FOR THE CURE over the last 20+ years, without having had any breast cancer history in our family. We’ve been out there regardless of the weather or the fact I had a c-section a few weeks prior – so we don’t want our current challenges to make us miss this one. Our daughter said it best – “we HAVE to do the Run for the Cure this year! Everyone is walking to help mom beat cancer now.”

Due to covid, the event is being held virtually this year. If you’d like to join me and my family, we will be meeting at Westhill Park on Sunday October 3rd at 10:30 a.m. Everyone is welcome to join! I’m hoping to see a lot of pink, red and smiling faces while we walk or Run (either 1 or 5km), to help bring awareness and to raise funds to help fight breast cancer. Feel free to dress up too! Personally – this year my walk will be dedicated to showing my support to everyone that has been touched by breast cancer and to show my children that their mom is a warrior and will always face challenges with everything she’s got.

If you want to donate to breast cancer research, my mother has a direct link to her fundraising page with CIBC below. Her name is Norma Dabrowski. 

https://support.cancer.ca/site/TR/RunfortheCure/RFTC_NW_even_?px=9312402&pg=personal&fr_id=27950&s_src=CD_PC_mobile_email_button

Thank you again for all of your support and well wishes. I look forward to providing you all with an update in 4 weeks time, as I enter the second phase of my journey.