Oh Ali. I love everything about this. The cover that was released yesterday had me crying happy tears for you. I run for the DFMC team and have for years....my DFMC crew has listened to you and obsessed over you for a long time. Obviously for so many reasons. I am just finishing up 30 days of a radiation in the "basement" at DHMC for a benign brain tumor and was secretly hoping I would run into you in the parking garage. (Not trying to be creepy here) Your pictures in the parking garage (P5 what a score by the way!) and a few others had me saying I know exactly where that photo was taken. Your writing and podcast has always been top on my list but now more than ever. All the feels....all of them! Thank you for being you.
I am a parent/caregiver to a young child with cancer (3 years old). Similar to you, the cancer came back and I have been given so much grace, slack and understanding. I have the same fears as you!!
I can't imagine anyone will be able to come back with enough words of support and love that you haven't already received but I love your optimism, I hate that you are (still) dealing with this but I know you will get through it.
I’m with you! On the paper, it’s said that we’re normal. We should be fine. We are the same as others. But actually that’s the harder part! At least for me! Saying I’m going from survival to thriving mode is one thing. Really do it, and believe in ourselves could do it, it’s another thing .
Your cover for the marathon guide is wonderful and perfectly captures the spirit and joy of finishing a race!! 💖 Although everyone’s experience with cancer is different, I relate to your worry about making the wrong treatment decision and your nerves about survivorship. My breast cancer diagnosis and treatment was less severe and invasive than yours has been, but I also worried for several years about survivorship and the ability to have (and be expected to have) a normal life again, whatever that means. I “should myself” too, even though we know it’s not helpful. It has been almost 9 years since my diagnosis and radiation treatment, and those worries have mostly dissipated except when I go for my annual mammogram. Even now, though, I sometimes have a moment of worry about cancer when something in my body just feels off for no apparent reason. Two years ago, I made personal medical decisions that weren’t exactly recommended by medical professionals: to go off Tamoxifen after 7 years and to begin HRT even though my BC was considered hormone positive. I chose quality of life and happiness now, knowing that both of those medical decisions came with long term risks of a potential recurrence of my cancer. I second guessed myself initially, but I can firmly say now that I don’t regret anything. What’s the point of living a very long life if my quality of life is poor due to the side effects of a maintenance drug and the natural symptoms of peri- and post-menopause (which are easily and effectively managed with HRT). All that to say - as I weighed those decisions and risks, I remembered what one doctor told me after I was diagnosed: every decision I make for my health is the right decision for me. Listen to and trust your medical team, get second opinions if you need them, but every decision you make for yourself is the right decision. Keep going. You’re doing great. Extra cheese forever 🫶🏻
Please continue bringing the extra cheese!! Also, do you know about Wildfire Journal? If you don’t, it’s a journal for essays written by people diagnosed with breast cancer under age 50. I absolutely love it. I’d love to read your writing in there ❤️. I interview the creator of it in my last post if you want to know more about it. I think some people with breast cancer are drawn to reading others experiences with breast cancer (that’s me) and some people don’t find it to feel good so zero pressure to check it out. Just wanted to make sure you knew it existed ❤️. And as someone who has gotten herceptin and perjeta and Zometa I just want to say you are super brave and amazing and resilient and I’m so happy you went to go ski a few days later!!
The so-called “filler episode” was a JOY!! I laughed, I cried, I considered signing up for another marathon😬… all while deep-cleaning my kitchen. Such a treat!
Oh Ali. I love everything about this. The cover that was released yesterday had me crying happy tears for you. I run for the DFMC team and have for years....my DFMC crew has listened to you and obsessed over you for a long time. Obviously for so many reasons. I am just finishing up 30 days of a radiation in the "basement" at DHMC for a benign brain tumor and was secretly hoping I would run into you in the parking garage. (Not trying to be creepy here) Your pictures in the parking garage (P5 what a score by the way!) and a few others had me saying I know exactly where that photo was taken. Your writing and podcast has always been top on my list but now more than ever. All the feels....all of them! Thank you for being you.
I am a parent/caregiver to a young child with cancer (3 years old). Similar to you, the cancer came back and I have been given so much grace, slack and understanding. I have the same fears as you!!
Hey Ali! Take in all of Boston - have fun! Love, Mark in Akron.
I can't imagine anyone will be able to come back with enough words of support and love that you haven't already received but I love your optimism, I hate that you are (still) dealing with this but I know you will get through it.
Always wanting the best for you and humanity,
❤️ Katie
I’m with you! On the paper, it’s said that we’re normal. We should be fine. We are the same as others. But actually that’s the harder part! At least for me! Saying I’m going from survival to thriving mode is one thing. Really do it, and believe in ourselves could do it, it’s another thing .
Sending u 🥰 hugs ❤️ love
Your cover for the marathon guide is wonderful and perfectly captures the spirit and joy of finishing a race!! 💖 Although everyone’s experience with cancer is different, I relate to your worry about making the wrong treatment decision and your nerves about survivorship. My breast cancer diagnosis and treatment was less severe and invasive than yours has been, but I also worried for several years about survivorship and the ability to have (and be expected to have) a normal life again, whatever that means. I “should myself” too, even though we know it’s not helpful. It has been almost 9 years since my diagnosis and radiation treatment, and those worries have mostly dissipated except when I go for my annual mammogram. Even now, though, I sometimes have a moment of worry about cancer when something in my body just feels off for no apparent reason. Two years ago, I made personal medical decisions that weren’t exactly recommended by medical professionals: to go off Tamoxifen after 7 years and to begin HRT even though my BC was considered hormone positive. I chose quality of life and happiness now, knowing that both of those medical decisions came with long term risks of a potential recurrence of my cancer. I second guessed myself initially, but I can firmly say now that I don’t regret anything. What’s the point of living a very long life if my quality of life is poor due to the side effects of a maintenance drug and the natural symptoms of peri- and post-menopause (which are easily and effectively managed with HRT). All that to say - as I weighed those decisions and risks, I remembered what one doctor told me after I was diagnosed: every decision I make for my health is the right decision for me. Listen to and trust your medical team, get second opinions if you need them, but every decision you make for yourself is the right decision. Keep going. You’re doing great. Extra cheese forever 🫶🏻
You are a true inspiration!
We are all here for the cheese!!! Bring it bigger and better than ever 😍😍😍😍
Please continue bringing the extra cheese!! Also, do you know about Wildfire Journal? If you don’t, it’s a journal for essays written by people diagnosed with breast cancer under age 50. I absolutely love it. I’d love to read your writing in there ❤️. I interview the creator of it in my last post if you want to know more about it. I think some people with breast cancer are drawn to reading others experiences with breast cancer (that’s me) and some people don’t find it to feel good so zero pressure to check it out. Just wanted to make sure you knew it existed ❤️. And as someone who has gotten herceptin and perjeta and Zometa I just want to say you are super brave and amazing and resilient and I’m so happy you went to go ski a few days later!!
The so-called “filler episode” was a JOY!! I laughed, I cried, I considered signing up for another marathon😬… all while deep-cleaning my kitchen. Such a treat!