3/17 POD #18 > The Breast Type of Cancer ?!!?

 Officially sleeping in MY bed!

It's been a long 3 weeks of couch sleeping.
You start to feel exposed and just want a door that can close and signify bedtime.
To be in your safe space.
To be next to my husband where I can put my finger in the waistband of his boxers.

You see, I am a cuddler.
A snuggler.
An, I have to be touching even just a small bit of you. 

Believe it or not, he was the one who used to spoon me and wrap himself protectively around me. 
Then my toes got cold. And my hand became bricks of ice. So every night when he would go to hold me or I would reach for him, he'd yell out and pull away. Rude. #iceisnice

So I started to make sure at least a finger was warm (this isn't getting weird, it is ok to read on) so I could tuck it into the waistband of his boxers. That was so I could feel his skin and know he was there and I was safe.

It was a problem for me when I would reach and there was no waistband 😬 ...but I figured it out  😉

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I hope that you are never in this position or inflicted by cancer. But as a doctor once said, I "got the right kind of cancer" <meaning breast cancer> as it typically inflicts women and women get shit done.

Is there a RIGHT kind of cancer?!    

There is SO much support between Facebook groups, local, state, and national organizations. I received care boxes full of free lotions, socks, books, pamphlets, hand-knit caps, etc from different groups all over the place. 

I had previously received a pre-mastectomy care package inclusive of two shirts with drain pockets, a post-surgical  bra, make-up, and other goodies from BRCA Strong 

#PremastectomyCarePackage

MISSION

To alleviate the emotional and financial burdens of women facing breast and/or ovarian cancer (regardless of genetic predisposition) through advocacy, direct assistance, empowerment and events.

VISION

To build a sisterhood within the sorority no one wants to be a part of.

Yesterday, I received a care package from Unite for Her.

In the HER care box it contained:

• Educational resources
• Healing and healthy self-care products
• And the hallmark of our program, a Wellness Passport valued at $2,000 worth of integrative therapies and services, all funded by Unite for HER!

Due to the fact my cancer is metastatic, I can renew this passport every 6 months! 
This passport includes a farm share for receiving fruits and veggies weekly for 6 weeks, a grocery gift card, meal delivery, options for reiki, yoga, acupuncture, massage, fitness membership, etc. 

Was it weird I felt....excited? 

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Something else that has provided a bit of a silver lining in all this is the Center for Hope and Healing.

I have previously mentioned how this is where I got to 'test drive a nipple', get (free) bras, and now, set up an appointment for my wig selection/fitting. 

Before my consultation, they will call my insurance company to check benefits and get all of that information. 

I was informed the individual they use for the wigs is independently contracted so I will likely have to pay upfront however, they then will submit all the documentation that is needed in order for my insurance company to reimburse me. They said even if for some reason the insurance company states they need to speak to me, St. Luke’s will then set up a three-way call between the insurance company, them, and me, to take care of all of this. 

All I can say is Healthcare should be this easy for everyone. 

Why so often do individuals have to fight for coverage and reimbursement WITHOUT the support of the healthcare system?

I guess I just have the breast type of cancer...