Highlighted in the LiveStrong Newletter

My Trainer, Katelyn,  in the LiveStrong Program contacted me and asked if I would be willing to share part of my story in the Fargo YMCA LiveStrong Newsletter. I have always felt like I don't have much to share but I wrote a few things and sent them to her. Here's our highlight she wrote in the newsletter:

Grown in Two

My hair has grown tons in two years. I don't think about it as much as I used to but it's crazy how long it's getting. I definitely have had my moments of sadness in losing my hair but for the most part- it's been an Adventure.
I wanted to share some of my favorite hair styles over the last two years from the day my family shaved my hair (as a birthday present, btw) until now, 2 years later.

On my birthday in 2012 before I shaved my head
This is how I still think of myself

The Skunk stripe will always bring back memories of duck tape

I can't believe that I was this bald. It's crazy!!

My favorite wig

I love the swirl in the back as it grew back. Cool beans!

I never thought I could pull off the Pixie look but I did!

This doesn't even look like me
It came back so dark!

I had such a glow about me! LOL

Check out that comb-over

I always wanted naturally curly hair. Love it!
This was around the ONE year mark 

I can't even tell you how excited I was to actually have a pony-tail!
Wahoo!

Tucking hair behind my hairs

I love this shot!
But it still makes me do a double take-
Guess I really am a brunette!

Finally being able to pull it up in a clip

Such a cute heart shaped pony!

Here I am TWO YEARS later
What a cute kid I am!

2nd CANCERversary

Wow! Time flies when you're not fighting cancer! LOL
I seriously can't believe that it's been 2 years since my "Big C" phone call.
I have a hard time remembering it all anymore. I am very grateful for that, actually.
I am happy to report that I am living on

Even if I am occasionally whiney about the mundane- it's awesome to feel NORMAL!

Young & Healthy

I had a 3 month follow-up visit with Dr. Thomas today. (Technically my "7 month-post mastectomy" visit or my "23 month since diagnosis" visit)

I met the Nurse Navigator, Pam Sasser. She was super sweet and helpful. She sat in on the appointment today and even took notes for me. Where was she for my whole cancer ordeal? LOL

Dr. Thomas asked me how I was doing and tried desperately to find something he could do for me. Unfortunately for him- I am Young & Healthy. It was funny to see him try to come up with anything he could do for me. He said he could have my cholesterol checked if I'd like. LOL
* He did listen to my heart and offered an echo if I felt I needed one. (which it doesn't sound like I do- it's just that the info on cancer patients says that they usually check it after your treatment. And I had mentioned to him that Dr. Panwalker had never had it checked)
* We talked again about Tamoxifin which I still feel strongly about NOT taking. He said that he would keep bugging me about it but leave the decision to me.
* He also brought up Genetic Counseling which I also still feel is a waste of my money. Now that I've been diagnosed with cancer and I already have children- my kids will automatically get checked early. Getting genetic counseling (in my opinion) would only benefit the industry and pocketbooks of someone other than me. ;)
* He told me he doesn't see any reason to see me back for another 6 months. (unless I decide to take Tamoxifen- then he'll get me in right away!;)
* I did get a High-5 for being my young & healthy self.
* I asked about getting labwork done. He said if I'd like- they could do it next time. I would just have to fast beforehand. Basically- I'm not sure if I want labwork done but I'm not sure how else they would ever know if my cancer came back. It's not like I can find a lump in my breast and get it checked out. LOL We'll see what the next 6 months bring.

Dr. Thomas is really great and I appreciate him as my Oncologist. But I do admit- it's nice to not need him.

Nail Regrowth

It has been a VERY long time coming but I think I finally have my nails back!
From somewhere around 8th grade until I was diagnosed and started Chemo in May 2012- I have had long, beautiful nails. They were strong and healthy and a bit of a trademark of ME. When one would break and I'd have to cut it down- I felt awkward and handicap. I couldn't imagine how women could stand to not have them long.
As you can imagine- It was hard when my nails started splitting and cracking to the point where I would have to keep them really short (see Oct 2012 pic). It was just another one of those things that as a cancer survivor- you deal with.
After I finished my Treatments- Chemotherapy in June 2012 and Herceptin in March 2013, I waited for my nails to return to normal. BUT they didn't. It was frustrating! I asked my doctor and he said it would just take time. Unfortunately, that's usually the answer to everything in this journey.
However- they were right. It just took time. NINETEEN-19  months to be exact. But they are back and that makes me happy!