Fresh Start for 2023

Where to begin? It’s been just over one year since I received my breast cancer diagnoses. Last year was both traumatic and a spiritual awakening.

One breast mammogram, one diagnostic breast mammogram, two breast biopsies, two breast cancer diagnoses, Covid twice, a bilateral mastectomy, one reconstructive breast surgery, a surgical biopsy on my uterus, diagnosis of four uterine fibroid tumors, the flu (way worse than Covid ever was) and the car run over by a Metro Nashville garbage truck. What a year 2022 was!

2023 started off with my fourth and final surgery (a total hysterectomy) to remove the fibroids. This was single handedly the most painful recovery I’ve experienced. When I had my double mastectomy I was determined not to take any narcotics even though the doctor prescribed Hydrocodone. One day into my at-home recovery, an entire night of talking to myself in my sleep and having my sister look at me like I was delusional, I stopped taking the pain meds and stuck strictly to alternating between ibuprofen and/or Tylenol as the pain I was experiencing was quite minimal. The hysterectomy was a much different experience, even more so because it was JUST a hysterectomy. It also involved the removal of the fibroids. Because one of them was 8cm, it was too big to remove through the belly button or vaginally so the doctor had to do something called “uterine/fibroid morcellation” which involves cutting out the uterus, ovaries and Fallopian tubes (with fibroids intact), placing it all into a medical grade bag, breaking it all up into smaller pieces and removing it vaginally. The reason for this is because 10 years ago when a patient’s fibroids were broken down and removed without placing them into a bag, it was later discovered in pathology that what they thought was fibroids was actually cancer and it was unknowingly spread throughout the woman’s body. I’m blessed to say that my pathology came back benign – 100% cancer free.

Needless to say, the end result is that this was extremely painful. I had both internal and external stitches. The internal (in the vagina) are very painful and haven’t yet fully dissolved. It makes going to the bathroom extremely uncomfortable. In addition, my belly hurts more than anything I’ve ever felt. The incision is hard and when wearing pants (especially jeans) it rubs up against the material and hurts even more. For the first week after surgery I was so bloated I could barely wear pants. It hurt so bad.

I’m grateful to be past the worst of it.

WARNING: Do NOT read the last of this paragraph if you can’t handle graphic descriptions). Another painful part was not being able to poop for five days after the surgery. When I was finally able to go, blood and bodily tissue came out with it. Not fun!

I’m now mostly back to normal health-wise. A few more weeks of recovery as it takes a while from all that I’ve described above in addition to how many organs and parts are moved around inside your body. Everything still hurts.

Due to all of the surgeries, treatments and doctor appointments, it’s been challenging to find employment which is a real shame since employers are having a difficult time finding reliable employees. I actually WANT to work.

I’ve been lucky that I’ve been able to focus my attention on the compilation album to bring awareness to breast cancer that I’ve been working on over the last year. There is no financial compensation at this point but the rewards have been plentiful including emotionally. The album God Magik is currently in pre-release (I hope you’ll support us by pre-saving on your preferred music platform) and is scheduled for release on 02/24/2023. I’m so excited to share all of these incredible songs we chose for the album. They’re genuine, heartfelt and so full of emotion. I hope you’ll love them as much as I do. Click the image below to take you to the pre-save page. That’s all you have to do!!! I’m forever grateful for all your support.

I’m so excited to see where 2023 is going to take me. It’s my goal to gain financial freedom, continue working in music and to always be present and grateful for all that God has given and continues to provide.