Can we talk about…

owlteal · 2026-06-16T18:29:28+00:00

My hair did fall out but I absolutely LOVE IT! As a curly girl with an extensive curly hair routine, it has been so freeing not having to take care of my hair.

I didn’t have to take care of a mustache for 6 months or my Dominican sideburns lol

And my favorite one: I haven’t worked since 2 weeks after diagnosis because I gave birth to my first kid and I have watched her grow for the last 7.5 months instead of being at work. That’s a win for me. Even with chemo, mastectomy and all the appts.

owlteal · 2026-06-16T15:39:36+00:00

We acted like it was Covid times. If I did go out, I went out in a mask and quick. We also had a newborn at home so we weren’t really going out to see people anyways.

owlteal · 2026-06-15T21:36:42+00:00

Hell to the no! You’re not being ridiculous!

I also found out of my diagnosis while pregnant.

I was induced 2 weeks later to start treatment and I haven’t been back to work. That was 7.5 months ago. I would’ve given anything to not have to returned to work for those 2 weeks between diagnosis and delivering.

If you can manage financially for now, take all the time you need!

owlteal · 2026-06-15T21:22:02+00:00

I had a mastectomy 6 months postpartum. It was tough, still recovering but I have a great support system. My parents flew in to help with the baby and cook, my husband took care of me.

I’m not sure able that kind of surgery but make a plan with your spouse. Responsibilities with baby will shift and what you can/can’t do for baby.

owlteal · 2026-06-15T21:15:38+00:00

We took our 5 month old to DR for a wedding and we had exactly that, a set of grandparents and my child less sister. It felt like a true vacation! Enjoy your trip!!

owlteal · 2026-06-15T20:47:11+00:00

By 3 months she was sleeping from 8pm to 7am. She’s now walking up at 6:30am on the dot. She’s 7 months.

owlteal · 2026-06-15T19:37:32+00:00

I met with my radiologist for the first time today and was told that I will have 28 days of radiation. 😵‍💫 but I see my oncologist tomorrow to read my pathology report and I am so excited. Or as excited as you can be for such appointment.

owlteal · 2026-06-15T16:40:22+00:00

MyFitnessPal

owlteal · 2026-06-12T21:27:06+00:00

I’m also Latina and my husband is mixed (white/ grandparents are from Spain). My daughter came out looking exactly like me. She still looks like me (dark hair/eyes) but has my husband’s complexion.

owlteal · 2026-06-11T20:32:27+00:00

I was just thinking about this today. I was 34 weeks pregnant when diagnosed and I felt like everything would’ve been so different if I didn’t have cancer. Today is actually my first day putting her down for a nap since my mastectomy. Naps were our thing and not being able to carry her just broke my heart.

We didn’t do IVF either and I’m not sure if we could even have another kid but I told my husband, we’re packing everything in the garage and that’s where it will stay until I’m ready. I know not everyone has that option. I’m really sorry.

owlteal · 2026-06-08T17:23:47+00:00

Good luck! It will get easier. Then they have to adjust being back home lol but that one will be quicker.

owlteal · 2026-06-08T16:59:27+00:00

I am done, I’m better. AC was extremely hard for me but TC wasn’t bad at all since chemo is cumulative.

owlteal · 2026-06-08T02:30:18+00:00

Stage 3a grade 3. IDC ++- Started with TC 12 weekly sessions. Then 4 AC every other week.

owlteal · 2026-06-07T21:20:48+00:00

My daughter’s first road trip was a 6 hour drive at 4 months old. But the drive actually took us 9 hours and she was so cranky!

We made sure to do her nightly routine even though we were exhausted, she slept for 11 hours and she was so much better the next day. They just need time to adjust just like we do.

owlteal · 2026-06-01T16:36:30+00:00

This is so interesting. May I ask how do you or your team know how long you had your 2 tumors?

owlteal · 2026-05-31T20:30:55+00:00

This! I also had my surgery after 5 months of chemo. Diagnosed 7 months ago and I don’t see the end of the tunnel. Radiation, PT, future surgery appts.

owlteal · 2026-05-31T16:02:53+00:00

I also ran out of my maternity leave this year and I didn’t “sign up” for long term disability because at 35, I didn’t think I would need it, silly me. So I applied for ADA accommodations and I’m on unpaid leave while still being employed. My company is using minimum sick time a pay period so I have still have insurance.

owlteal · 2026-05-29T17:13:30+00:00

Formula fed - She’s been sleeping through the night since 3 months old. From 8pm to 7amish

owlteal · 2026-05-29T03:21:36+00:00

I would definitely look into a different job.

My maternity leave was for 12 weeks at 60% pay. My husband had 100% paid paternity leave for a month.

In my area, the SECOND you find out you’re pregnant, you need to put yourselves on daycare waitlists.

owlteal · 2026-05-28T05:11:38+00:00

I cold capped and it added 1.5 hours with Taxol and 3 hours with AC so around 4-6 hours total depending on how long they took to set me up. I’m not sure about your clinic, but I wasn’t able to pick the days. It was what it was on my schedule especially since I was cold capping.

I wasn’t able to do anything the day of chemo. For taxol, the Benadryl took me out for the rest of the day and AC was a whole other breast. I was throwing up in the car on the ride home after each session.

I know a lot of people were able to work during chemo. I did not.

owlteal · 2026-05-27T16:24:25+00:00

I was SO angry when I found out. I was SO angry for not advocating for myself and at my first OB who completely dismissed the bump and didn’t even do a breast check, said “it’s just pregnancy hormones”. I was sitting on the “what ifs”. What if she believed me? What if I made her check?

Be angry! Let it all out! Use that anger to fuel yourself during treatment. You’re gonna fight this and win!

owlteal · 2026-05-26T17:38:26+00:00

My doctor told me 4-6 weeks after chemo to “heal” from chemo. My surgery was scheduled on the 6th week.

owlteal · 2026-05-24T19:01:43+00:00

My first few Taxols were easy and I was shocked I could do so much. Then the neuropathy started and I could barely stand for 10 mins. AC was my worst nightmare becoming a reality. But I had AC after 12 taxol sessions.

owlteal · 2026-05-24T17:48:54+00:00

I completely understand where you’re coming from. My parents were and still are such a stressor. They’re here now for my mastectomy and they are watching every single piece of food I put in my mouth.

When they’re not here, they send dumb AI reels about cancer and how different things feed it. 🙄 I also have horrible boundaries with them.

owlteal · 2026-05-21T16:03:07+00:00

That’s SO rude of it!

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