I’m sorry I have been quiet on the website. In June, they found a spot on my mammogram. It took until early September to get the final diagnosis; I had breast cancer. I had surgery in October, and Thanksgiving week started a 7-week, 30-session course of radiation.
Thankfully, the screening did what it was supposed to: it caught the cancer early. It was stage 1a, grade 1, meaning it wasn’t super aggressive and hadn’t spread into my lymph nodes. It still was a long process. Even though I worked as a hospice social worker, I learned that cancer takes over your entire life. It seems I’ve hardly gotten anything done over the last 6 months.
Thursday, I finished radiation and got to ring the bell! My shirt says, “Honey Badgers are my spirit animals.”I didn’t want to buy a shirt I’d never wear again, but I wanted something with special meaning. I always said just like me, “Honey Badger don’t give a s**t” and keeps going, no matter what happens. We both had a heck of a year, but we are moving on!
What is next? I have 5 years of oral hormone treatment and tons of ongoing medical visits. Diagnostic mammograms and ultrasounds are alternating every 6 months. Thankfully, they give it only a 2% chance of recurrence. First, I need to heal and regain my strength and stamina. I have been exhausted, and my body has endured so much. It will take months to heal. I wasn’t happy to miss fall exploring, but I’m glad I have the winter to recover.
This one is special; my aunt’s good friend made it.
The last week I have been feeling more like myself. I completed a few articles and started a new one. I’m looking forward to research, writing, and new episodes for Radio Goldfield.
I will heal and regain strength to explore! No concrete plans yet, but I have a few tentative, larger trips in the works. I plan on shorter trips over the winter as I heal. I plan a “F**k Cancer Trip,” but something that epic might be in the fall or even early 2027.
I am scheduling book signings and presentations. If you know someone who would like to host me, please pass along my contact information. I’ll put a list out soon.
Cliff Sweney says
I’m glad you’re doing better have you had Brian like I’ve never been rhyolite I’m not sure if that’s right or wrong anyway good luck on your journey
Tami says
Thank you.
Alan Ice says
Congratulations! So very glad to hear you will be back hitting the trails soon! I have been missing your postings and am anxiously awaiting hearing about your next adventure.
Tami says
Thank you, I’m excited to get back out there!
Larry Moberly says
With so many seasonal distractions – Christmas, overseas travel, miserable weather and the infamous 68c Wrangler 4xe recall – I only recently started missing your newspaper. So wonderful to see you are back. You are my inspiration for roaming around Nevada.
Tami says
I get it, the holidays felt like a blur! So glad to be back!
Bob H says
Glad you are back and well 🙂
Tami says
Thank you!