Another surgery can be checked off the list, which means I am that much closer to the end of the journey. This one was the final Big One (meaning that there are other Little Ones to come but nothing like the Big Three.) So I feel mostly relieved at what is already over and forever grateful that at some point in 2014 my body will belong to me again and not a team of doctors. Honestly, I ache for the day when BC patient is not at the forefront of my identity. But every day I remind myself of how long I have been on the journey (more than a year) and try to keep it in perspective.
So what's left? The journey is at a standstill due to surgery so, while I still have treatments left, I can't restart them until my oncologist gives the green light and she says my body needs to rest for a bit. I'm hopeful that treatments will be over at the end of June. I also need nipples/tattoos or some combo of both (or neither?) but that will be discussed with my plastic surgeon in the coming weeks. I'm not sure how I feel about nipples and/or tatts, and it depends on how much is involved in getting them. There comes a point where 1) they're not that important and 2) I don't want to be poked and prodded anymore. So for now I am playing it by ear. Once again, perspective.
I leave you with some final thoughts on perspective brought to you from one of my favorite authors, John Green. Hope the sun is beginning to brighten your journey, too.
John Green's Perspective
