2. Having to get 6 rounds of Taxotere, Carboplatin and Herceptin chemotherapy infusions and continued Herceptin treatments the entire year. Having to go through chemo-induced menopause. All while my husband lived in L.A.
3. Having to lose all of my hair. And now, having to live with hair that is "growing out" and attempting to not look like a boy in the process.
4. Having to get a bilateral mastectomy, and learning to live with no nipples and expanders. Feeling self conscious and uncomfortable every day as I attempt to find outfits that hide my flaws.
5. Having to get 17 lymph nodes removed, resulting in numbness and limited mobility in my left arm. Having to get physical therapy for my lymphedema and limited mobility due to this surgery.
6. Having to get 33 rounds of radiation therapy, enduring the sunburn, and living with damaged skin. Having to wait to get implants because of radiation.
7. Having to take steroids that made me gain weight and ruin my self esteem even more.
8. Having to take tamoxifen daily which makes me an emotional wreck.
9. My 5 year old got her first really high fever, and broke out in hives. My two year old had to get 3 stitches in her lip from falling off the couch onto the coffee table. Really? Oh, and did I mention I turned 30 this year? Yikes.
10. All of the losses we have had to endure this year... Our friend was deported and banned for 10 years. My sister in law lost a baby at 20 weeks gestation. Rebekah Sharp and Jennifer Gilbert (two beautiful mothers, my age) passed away. And sadly, our dog Caleb had to be put to sleep today. He couldn't even stand up anymore. He was an awesome dog that can never be replaced.
Couldn't be more ready for a new year. Bring on 2012. End rant.