Entries by Julie Greenberg

Cancer and Fertility

December 23, 2019/0 Comments/in , /by

After a cancer diagnosis, you begin a rush to harvest some eggs because you don’t always know going into your surgery your exact treatment. We knew at some point this (IVF) might be the route we would have to go down just not in rapid-fire mode.
We had exactly 20 days from cycle day 1 until surgery day, all the doctors talked and we got the go-ahead to start the egg retrieval process. To be honest we knew nothing out about it. It’s a lot of paperwork work and crazy decisions at first.

Surgery Day – August 20th, 2019

December 23, 2019/0 Comments/in , /by

This day was absolutely the scariest day of my life. I mean I had already birthed a child, had back surgery and went through an ectopic pregnancy what else could be scarier than a 5+ hour surgery?  The night before surgery my doctor called to walk me through everything, we went over when I could eat, drink and what to expect. It made me feel more comfortable and a little relieved to hear from her.

Surgery Recovery – Day 1

December 23, 2019/0 Comments/in /by

Your support system is everything! My husband was great at the hospital along with all the nurses helping me to get home! My nurses were amazing, they both were breast cancer survivors which made it even more comforting to know that they have been through what I was dealing with. It made me feel safe! They did an amazing job of getting me up and moving and preparing me for my time at home. 

7 Days later – The Ups and Downs

December 23, 2019/0 Comments/in , /by

I will forever remember these words, NO CHEMO.  Thank God. I still had to get confirmation from the oncologist but those were the only words I really wanted to hear besides you can take a shower.  My doctor did say I still might need radiation and we will get confirmation from the medical oncologist and radiation oncologist in the next few weeks but things are looking up

Pre Double Mastectomy Surgery Prep Items

December 23, 2019/0 Comments/in /by

We all get the “same” instructions from our doctors but here are a few things I have found that worked amazing Pre-Surgery and Post Surgery.
These by far have been my most used items: These drain holders are easy to sleep with as well as the shower or just lounge in.

2 Weeks Post Surgery

December 23, 2019/0 Comments/in /by

I‘m learning to ask for help when needed and to rest when I am tired. I am hoping to get the drains out this week, the latest next week and then we can start making progress with the expanders.
Each day gets a little easier and I’m getting used to asking for help.  This has been a very hard process for me to get used to. With time comes healing and I am ready to put this past me.
I just have to wait for about 4 more months.

The #Boobtruth

December 23, 2019/0 Comments/in , /by

It was a June morning and I felt something on my left breast (I never did self-checks but now I promote them to everyone) and called my doctor. With my family history and what I described, she made an appointment to see her the next day and once I saw her she ordered a mammogram, ultrasound, and biopsy.  Six days later I heard the words YOU HAVE BREAST CANCER.