Tag: blog

Today’s a big day in the Phillips’ household. It’s the first day of school! Ben won’t start full-day kindergarten until next Tuesday, but this year all three of my kids are in elementary school!

It’s also my anniversary! It’s Saul’s anniversary, too. Happy 15th, Sweetie!

And it’s P-Day. Today is the day we get the final pathology report which will ... Read More


We are home from vacation, and now that the laundry is done, I need a vacation. It’s easier to forget about things like breast cancer when you’re thinking about things like the number of fish in the ocean.

Myrtle Beach is a chaotic tourist trap– and I loved it. It’s the perfect place for a girl who’s trying to forget ... Read More


There are certain things that seem to have disappeared during this cancer journey, the most alarming of which is my inability to filter my words before I speak. I think it, therefore I say it. Sometimes it’s funny, sometimes it’s not.

Saul must have the same problem, because he is constantly cracking jokes about catching my breast cancer. He’s lucky he ... Read More


I made it to Myrtle Beach! That was the biggest thing about having the surgery. I didn’t want to miss this family vacation that we have had planned for almost a year, but I also didn’t want to go and end up bringing home a nasty infection as a souvenir. In the end, it all worked out just fine. I ... Read More


When I was first diagnosed back in May, Saul and I did everything we could to keep busy. The busier you are, the less time you have to think. It worked pretty well, but I remember every once in a while it would catch up with me. I would be on a fun family adventure when all of a sudden ... Read More


It turns out the lip gloss and sparkly earrings worked! The doctor totally forgot about the surgery!

Okay, he didn’t forget… but he agreed with my assessment that my body was doing a fine job of healing on its own and perhaps we could give it just a little more time to finish the job.

I was sent home with strict orders ... Read More


I had to apologize to my neighbor for being so crabby to her and her grandchildren. We all went to a party at the community center, and I was off. Way off. Nothing was right. I should have been quarantined in a room by myself, but unfortunately, I wasn’t, and no one was safe from my venom.

That was nearly a ... Read More

I took a real live shower today for the first time in 2.5 weeks, but I’ll tell you what, it felt like it had been 2.5 years. Ahhhh… clean. Fresh! Wonderful!
I was terrified to let the water hit my wounds, but it didn’t hurt a bit. The only shocking part was looking down and realizing the glue the surgeons ... Read More


I am drain free! Yippee!! I still can’t lift more than 5 pounds or raise my arms above my shoulders, but I am drain free and I count that as a WIN! By tomorrow morning, I’ll even be able to shower by myself. Check me out, I have a new lease on life!

Why is she so ecstatic you may wonder? ... Read More


I looked at it. I did it. I’m feeling quite brave, a little grossed out and sort of just, I don’t know… confused? Maybe sad? But not really, because it hasn’t quite hit me that this is my body we’re talking about and that I will not wake up tomorrow and realize this was all just a disturbing dream.

My guardian ... Read More