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Worry, who me?
Dilation therapy is a reality for endometrial cancer survivors who’ve undergone pelvic radiation. It’s preventative to ward off long term side effects such as stenosis, which can impact your quality of life and your medical care. Though there’s differing opinions on how long you need to maintain it, the first two years post treatment are definitely considered essential. So after taking a break while I recovered from my hemicolectomy, I picked up my therapy schedule again –…
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The Eligibility Paradox
Questions come up when you are living in this ‘after.’ Not about your diagnosis, but mid-scroll of a new trial report on the shifting standard of practice for endometrial cancer — your exact profile — your gut frames the question before your brain is even fully engaged: should I be on that?
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Living in the ‘after’ …
There’s a season in your cancer journey that nobody warns you about, mostly because nobody has a good name for it. Not treatment. Not recovery, exactly — recovery implies an endpoint, a discharge summary. And it’s not quite survivorship, since that also implies you’ve been handed back to ‘normal’ life. This is something else. Let’s call it the ‘after.’
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10k training: Week 2
I’ve always liked starting the week with a rest day. It gives me time to reflect on the past week, review the workouts for the week ahead, and negotiate with myself about whether my schedule or mindset might make completing my workouts a challenge.
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Epi(c) mutations
As I get more used to living with a diagnosis that means cancer risk will always be part of my everyday life, I’m learning more about what makes my specific profile unique. This latest research quest was triggered by my appointment at the High Risk Breast Clinic this week. My doctor’s interest was focused — I’m her first Cowden phenotype with no genotype. She’s my sixth oncology specialist and the eighth member of my core care team.
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Let’s run a 10k: Take 3
So I’ve done it now. I’ve signed up for a fall 10k to put a race on my calendar — the Marathon Beneva de Montréal has a 10k route with a generous two-hour cutoff. Far enough out to rebuild my base, early enough in October that the weather should still be good racing conditions. And it will be after my September scans and follow-ups, so I’ll know where I am heading into race day.
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What was I thinking?
I’ve been home for a week now, after an intense seven days of conferencing in Halifax, and then a few more to spend time with my family. With a decent week of rest and sleep under my belt, I woke up this morning smiling as the thought, What was I thinking? ran through my brain about working at this level less than eight weeks post-surgery. I mean, really?
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And exhale …
There is nothing quite like the anxiety of sitting in your oncologist’s waiting room, knowing that on the other side of the door are the results that will shape, or reshape, your future. That was my Tuesday. To my surprise, we landed in an unexpected place. I walked in untethered, not knowing, and I walked out NED. My pathology was Stage I. Exhale, literally …
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Buying forward: Not running won’t stop me from buying new shoes
Four weeks out from a robotic right hemicolectomy, I have more patience than energy — and apparently, more optimism than sense. It’s Ottawa race weekend, and while I know why I won’t be toeing the line this year, it doesn’t stop me from dreaming about what’s next.
Welcome
I’m a 60+ masters runner documenting my journey with endometrial cancer, colorectal cancer, and Cowden-like Syndrome.
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Latest posts
- Worry, who me?
- The Eligibility Paradox
- Living in the ‘after’ …
- 10k training: Week 2
- Epi(c) mutations