Genevieve

8. I kinda like being bald.

7. I've received so much love and support in various forms, but I love the text messages and cards best. I've got a great support team featuring @invisig0th.bsky.social, friends and family, my work leadership/colleagues/directs, and even the @vertexproject.bsky.social.

6. Feeling fine is not the same as being fine. The cumulative effect of chemotherapy is real and you need to prioritize your health, even if that means taking walks or naps during work hours.

5. There is a lot of support available to those that need it, from anti nausea meds, nutrition experts, to nurse navigators that can help overcome barriers to treatment.

4. The technology is pretty cool. Like I have an onbody device that will automatically inject me with meds to increase white blood cell creation 27 hours after the completion of the infusion.

3. The steroid injections make me jittery. Even with benedryl and Ativan in infusion, I spent half the time trying to pace / dance just to keep myself from twitching in the chair.

2. Infusions are slow. Between pre+meds, the two chemotherapy drugs, and flushing the medical port, the infusion has consistently taken over 3 hours. And my nurse was telling me about someone who had 5 hour appointments!

I have been fairly lucky in terms of side effects, but have a few takeaways:
1. Infusions require several appointments (lab work, getting the approval from your medical oncologist, then the infusion).

Final chemotherapy infusion is done! I'll still be recovering for a while, but I'm so excited to be wrapping up this phase of my treatment plan! Two weeks off, then I start radiation therapy!

@femmeshoto.bsky.social mentioned a couple stray hairs falling out (likely due to chemo) and I got up from my workstation a moment ago to discover this... 😂🤩

So very chic.

I've got a great medical team, an amazing support system, and all the resources I need. I'm doing well mentally and physically. Keep the positive vibes flowing. If you want to do more, please consider a donation to support cancer research or LGBTQ ally charities.

While we had hoped to avoid chemotherapy, it was a close call (primary medical oncologist didn't make a recommendation either way and second opinion leaned towards chemo) and I opted in, for peace of mind and to reduce the likelihood of a distant recurrence.

Quick Update to @invisig0th.bsky.social's early November post. The bi-lateral mastectomy went well and recovery was relatively painless. The next step started today with a mediport placement this morning and my first of four chemotherapy infusions this afternoon.

a girl with purple hair is giving a thumbs up sign ALT: a girl with purple hair is giving a thumbs up sign

The moment you realize that half the wigs you've been eyeing were inspired by KPop Demon Hunters.

Alcatraz is playing dress up with his cage liner, a departure from his standard fort building.

Tuna puppet?

@invisig0th.bsky.social is my absolute favorite, so I got him this anniversary card.

"Ransomware is a pain in the ass for us, but also it looks like we're a pain in the ass for them." - Bavi Sadayappan #SLEUTHCON

Might have figured this out when I told @invisig0th.bsky.social to turn right at the NEXT museum of ham.

Weekend project with @invisig0th.bsky.social ... Building out a vivarium for my orchids!

I was planning to read a book, but the Aruban whiptails and green iguanas are having a parade...

I took a "whole person assessment" as part of a coaching program. My number two strength is rest. 🤣

I suspect that I do not have a future in skeleton fashion, but at least SOME of the skeletons at our favorite bar will be ready for Valentine's Day.

An amazing person once told me that one of the reasons they hadn't transitioned was a fear that it would interfere with their ongoing military service. The order banning trans troops is gut wrenchingly wrong.

He has been known to meow...

I got Alcatraz a perfectly good bird hut, but he still prefers cardboard boxes.

If you are in NYC and haven't seen the Edges of Ailey exhibit at the Whitney... Do it. Ends Feb 9.

Shuka is helping me with the baking while @invisig0th.bsky.social hides from the Christmas tunes.

Self care kicking off... Now.

When you want to play, but your little brother just wants to zoom...