Millman's Blog: Life Post Treatment, Back To Routine

Where does the time go? I can't believe it has been more than 3 months since I've written about life and cancer. That's probably a good sign because it means not much is going on. I also can't believe it was one year ago today I was diagnosed with Stage 2 breast cancer.

It seems like it's been a few months but at the same time it seems like it's been 10 years since my husband and I took that call from the doctor and got the news. I have to admit I just went back and read my very first blog and I burst into tears. I seem to be on an emotional roller coaster these days. I had a breast cancer patient email me just yesterday asking how I "always look so happy" -- I have a confession to make: I'm not always smiling.

This has been a tough road. It was joyous but also difficult to finish treatment in mid-April. Once I got over my radiation burns (ouch) I tried to get into the groove of being back at work. As I told you previously, I started out working just 20 hours a week and quickly moved to 25 or more. That helped by keeping me busy, but I soon realized I had this uneasy feeling in the pit of my stomach. I was convinced every headache or backache I got was the cancer returning. I have been told by every cancer patient I've met that this is normal. They also tell me the fear fades in a few years.. I can only hope. I also started to realize some of my uneasiness was because I was finished with treatment and no longer seeing a doctor every week. As awful as cancer treatments are, they also bring a sense of comfort because "something" is being done to kill the cancer in your body. Now, with treatment behind me I have to get used to seeing my oncologist once every 3 months.

Speaking of which, I did have my first "post-treatment" check-up with my doc right after the 4th of July and my blood work looks good! That was a huge relief. I also had some good news about an awful back pain I'd been having for months. It started in February or March -- this sharp pain near my right shoulder blade. I was sure it was bone cancer (this is how it works for those of us who've been diagnosed with cancer: it's never far from our minds). I'd mentioned this pain to my doctor but it wasn't until my July appointment that he got a worried look on his face. My stomach dropped. But then he said, "Michelle, I think you have shingles!" What??!!! I actually laughed at this news and replied, "Well, at least it's not cancer!" He put me on a huge horse-pill sized antibiotic and I haven't had the back pain since. Let's hope that takes care of it. My oncologist tells me it's usually a few years after treatments before a cancer patient develops shingles (because the immunity system is so wiped out) but lucky me, I got it right away!

As for work: I returned to my morning reporting shift about 3 weeks ago. It's great to be back to my old routine but it's been tough to turn around my sleep schedule. I'm hoping another couple of weeks and I'll be able to get some decent sleep again. One positive note: my short hair sure is easy to style at 2:45 in the morning! As you know, I started back to anchoring Saturday mornings in late April and that's been fantastic. It took me a few shows to feel truly comfortable in front of the camera again and now, it's just like riding a bike. I am getting lots of comments from viewers about my "curly hair" and the question of whether it's always been this way. No, it hasn't. It'll be interesting to see how long the curl lasts.

Other than work, I have been busy with all sorts of activities ... including co-hosting the Miss Washington pageant just a few weeks ago. I will say though, one of the most inspiring events I've taken part in was the Puget Sound Susan G. Komen Race for the Cure in June. Some truly amazing people signed up for "Team Michelle" and walked with me through the rainy streets of Seattle. I also got to lead the survivor parade with my Aunt Sue, a 10 year survivor - and that was amazing. If you haven't seen the video we posted here on this page, you'll have to check it out!

Until next time, Michelle