A Visit With Stacey

The other day, my friend – and four-year breast cancer survivor – Stacey cut my hair at the salon where she works. I hadn’t seen her in a while, so it was good to catch up. She teased me about the gray hairs that are becoming more noticeable on both sides of my head – although I have to say they are still minimal for a fellow my age. I teased her, saying that the remark just cost her a tip.

I asked about her health, as I often do. She’s fine, as always, although she shared something she had never mentioned before. I remembered that the last time we talked, she had made a reference to some medication she took on an ongoing basis, but I couldn’t recall the name of it, other than it sounded like something she might take to ward off a recurrence of her cancer. (As an aside, Stacey has never considered to be in remission, which implies that the cancer is still hiding in some deep dark recesses, biding its time until it makes a most inglorious return. She was declared cancer-free after completing her post-operative treatment program.)

So I asked her if she took something to remain cancer-free. She said she had been on tamoxifen for over four years, but had recently decided, on her own, to go off the drug. She said she was tired of the side effects – most notably, a feeling weak, like she had the flu all the time, and having her feet hurt, which had to be most inconvenient for someone who spends virtually all day standing.

I’d had no idea she was so…uncomfortable – every day for four years. She was very good at hiding her discomfort, always talkative and joking. As I’ve told many friends, you would never know she had had breast cancer. But she said this just wasn’t something people needed to know. She isn’t the type of person to go on an on about every little ache or pain or sniffle. Still, I’m glad she told me. It reminded me how strong a person she is – how strong every breast cancer patient is, whether they are in the midst of treatment or living their life as a survivor.

When Stacey first started taking tamoxifen, it was considered a five-year drug. But recently, she said, it’s been determined that patients like Stacey, who were diagnosed and treated early, only need to take it for three years. He doctor wanted her to finish out the five years, but she’s decided she’s had enough. And to that, I say, good for her.

While I was at the salon, a woman who looked to be in her 70s came in with her husband. Stacey said that she was a breast cancer survivor – for more than 30 years! I could only imagine how little was known about the disease and how to treat it when she was diagnosed, compared to today, and how fortunate she must have been to have it caught early enough – something that still doesn’t happen with a lot of women.

I thought of my friend Jill, who has been battling breast cancer for more than three years, going through multiple cycles of chemotherapy and radiation treatments, almost nonstop throughout that time. She continues her fight.

And so I continue to walk.


Scott's Official 3-Day Countdown: 112 days until Day 1