#colorgirl

@la-ragazza-sognante

YASMIM SAMPAIO

Big week! Got excellent news at my ultrasound yesterday from my oncologist: “Your ultrasound showed improvement as we were expecting - great news! One of the two breast masses is no longer seen; the other breast mass reduced in size from 16mm x 15mm to 13mm x 7mm. The right axillary lymph nodes are smaller as well. This is a great response to treatment so we will continue as planned.” The radiology tech said “good thing they put in markers” in all 3 of those places because otherwise they wouldn’t be able to find anything!! And “dramatic night and day difference” (whereas last very stressful ultrasound she said an eerie nothing).

IT’S WORKING!!!! I want that final small spot gone too!!! 🤨I had icky nerve-racking PTSD type feelings the night before the ultrasound and my breast hurt, a phantom pain perhaps. The nurse coordinator who was somewhat condescending/shaming to me back when this all happened in February had written to confirm my appointment, and seeing her name made me feel immediately awful. Luckily I haven’t had to interact with her since then, and I suppose I need to ask not to if possible for the future.

After I shared this with my family tonight my cousin Sean told me I am officially whooping cancer’s ass! 👊🏽 I am grateful for the way he sums things up in ways that don’t always occur to me. :)

Started new chemo #5, Taxol this morning with no negative reactions. My hands and feet were on ice the whole time to hopefully help reduce peripheral neuropathy. The plan is to be on this for 3 months assuming all continues to go well. My red blood cell count was very low, so I had my first blood transfusion of two bags of blood. I was super tired this past week and now I know why! Rick thought it was because I was slacking, LOL 😜. Tired is not like me! Shout out to my two nurses Lisa and Greta for staying late to give it to me (on national nurse’s day!). I had a private room and got to watch the Kelly Clarkson show and Ellen - with no TV for 10 years, this was a treat! 😄 Turns out most of my birth family and I are the rarest AB- blood type. My sweet tennis friend and fellow BC survivor Melissa spent all day driving me to and from the hospital for treatment, lunch, and then back once they found blood for me. I am sporting this new hip and perfectly fitting mask made by another sweet tennis friend Lisa in honor of our rising stars team that I captained last year. Both of these women made the experience so much easier and fun for me and I’m so grateful for this community of wonderful humans. I’m also sporting this vibrant scarf handmade by 14 year old Eliana to keep me warm during chemo. All my favorite colors, and so cozy! My wrist is emanating strength adorned with these stunning bracelets from Adrienne and Donna! 💝