It is with all the emotions; ALL. THE. EMOTIONS. That I announce, “I am done with the aggressive Breast Cancer Treatment!” Today marked yet another milestone. Today I completed 28 rounds of radiation. All of my radiation nurses have been amazing. They were so happy to be there for my final treatment and beyond willing to take a picture with me and walk me over to the bell. And I rang that fucker! I repurposed my ‘end of chemo’ shirt for today’s occasion. But first, let’s recap Thanksgiving.
Over the Thanksgiving holiday we took a much needed trip to Tomah to be with the Sherman side of the family. We had so much fun; playing cards, talking, ‘cheersing’ and even went to the Tomah holiday parade. It’s something we’ve been doing almost every year for probably the last 10 years. This year the boys, and by ‘boys’ I mean kids and dads, built an amazing fort! Check it out!
Probably the most memorable event of the weekend was what my mother-in-law said at the dinner table as she went down the well thought out list of everything we are thankful for. As she navigated her way to say we are all thankful for me beating cancer she pulled out a candle from behind her back, stuck it in my mashed potatoes and lit it. It was mashed-potatoey perfect. It was my first (early) celebration to beating breast cancer. When this all started and the doctors talk to you about ‘survival rate’ you really don’t know how to let that sink in. At 44 years old, how can someone talk to me about a survival rate of a disease that isn’t 100%? I don’t know. In my mind I just couldn’t ever wrap my brain around that possibility. There was just no way I would let this win. It didn’t. Katie 1, Cancer 0.
So, where have I been and where am I going…
THE PAST (April – December):
3 Surgeries (Double Mastectomy, Nipple Removal, Port “installed”)
16 rounds of aggressive chemo (4 of those being “The Red Devil”)
28 rounds of radiation
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UP NEXT:
Surgery to replace expanders with silicon boobies. Peace out uncomfortable expanders!
Surgery to remove port. Peace out port!
Ovarian Ablation – monthly hormonal shots to basically kill my ovaries and force me into menopause. Lovely
Tamoxifen – Daily pill (5-10 years) to block estrogen, which is what fed my breast cancer. Lovely.
In the wise words of my brother, Jeff, he texted this to me this morning:
“Time to give the deuces to radiation today! Throw those fingers in the air and let the middle one linger a bit!”
Sure, I’m saying I’m done, but there are still obstacles ahead of me, and my family. We’ll tackle those with the same grace. Throw some dirt on it and kick its ass! For now though, I’m celebrating this HUGE milestone!
Thank you to everyone that has reached out or thought about me throughout this shit show. I couldn’t walk this winding path by myself. In fact, my husband had to carry me through parts of it.
My goal with this blog started with the thought that I want to remember what I went through, what my family went through. Then it became a way to update friends and family instead of texting and calling everyone individually. Then it hit me. This was my platform to not only share my experiences, my raw emotions, but to remind everyone to get your mammogram! Had I not gotten mine, I’m not sure where I would be today. I was originally diagnosed in March as stage 0, non-invasive. After final pathology of my double mastectomy I was diagnosed stage 2, invasive. That is how important it is to get checked.
I plan on continuing this blog, it might not be as frequent, but know that this isn’t the last you’ll hear from Katie Sherman!
Wooohooo, congrats on ringing that bell Katie. That long and painful road is behind you. Wishing you and your family health, peace and happiness.
Merry Christmas to you all.
Katie, I’m so proud to even know you! You have promoted my laughter in my most vulnerable of moments! I haven’t had cancer, but having been in the hospital with a lengthy recovery ahead, I do understand vulnerability. I’m stunningly happy for you and your family, my gratitude for your sense of humor, and your willingness to share all of this with us. GO KATIE!!!
I am so happy for you Katie. Congratulations on completing your last treatment. I hope you have a very Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year!
Woo hoo! You are giving so many people the best Christmas present we will ever get. I love you beyond words, and I cannot wait to celebrate our birthdays in our favorite place next year healthy and happy. I love you!
Congratulations Katie! Way to give that cancer a giant kick in the ass! I hope you and your boys have the merriest Christmas ever!
You rock, Katie!! Congratulations on finishing your last treatment. I’ve lost friends to breast cancer and I have friends who’ve survived. Glad YOU are a warrior survivor lending your voice to early detection. Congratulations and thank you!
Congratulations!!! Have a Merry Christmas!
Hooray!!!!!!!!
Congrats Katie. Hope you and your family have the best holiday season.
Congratulations on finishing this journey!
Congratulations
Congratulations!!!
Woohoo! Congrats lady!! 👏
Congratulations Katie on kicking Cancer’s Ass!!( my friend finished her treatment in August) I was listening to you this morning while in my car, and I was so excited for you I started crying!! Merry Christmas to you all!!
Bravo young lady! Great news to hear! Enjoy your holidays!🎉
great job Kayie stay tough we will still pray for you
You’re a warrior, Katie! Sending you all the love and support.
Congratulations to you Katie. Great job. You are such a strong ass woman, I totally love your energy with all of this. YOU KICK ITS ASS. Good for you.
You are an amazing Woman and did it all with an amazing attitude! You are an inspiration! Thank you for sharing your journey! Congratulations on ringing that bell!
Rock On, Katie!!! Congrats on ringing the bell!! keep up the inspirational work
My soul sister. My hero.
Congratulations, Katie! Though every woman’s cancer is unique, as a cancer warrior myself, I have empathized and laughed and cried through all of your posts, as each one mimics part of my journey as well. I have looked forward to each new post because your candor and humor help to make the unbearable bearable. In fact, I am still laughing over: “And I rang that fucker!” – a perfect summation. Thank you for being so open with your story. Though you will never know the broad scope of women you have touched, you need to know that you have made a difference in my perspective on my own breast cancer journey. And I thank you.
Thank you so much for the kind words. The purpose of my blog was to talk about and share everything. While sometimes my actions and emotions were very raw, being vulnerable about my experiences I thought might help someone now or later. Congrats to you on being a warrior as well!