Nansplaining

Nansplaining is simply, me, Nan Arthur, explaining about my recent journey with breast cancer. My hope is to share with those experiencing similar paths, to help others and myself that have recently been set on their own journey, and to help find a means of copping and the road map to your own well-being. I have already learned that survival does not always come with support, and navigating the medical world is akin to being put into a Formula One race car and you only have your learner’s permit! Learning to drive by the seat of my pants in the medical world, I found that some things move so quickly, that it’s hard to see for the streaks of light passing by—mostly technical medical information. In addition, it is also painfully slow waiting on labs and doctors for results. I’m still waiting, for instance, for the HER2 results which will help to direct my aftercare once the tumor is removed. What I did find out, is that this test is a culture and they have to grow the cells to get the information, and it just takes time. No one told me that, only that it takes time, but it was on one of the great breast cancer support sites. Another example of the waiting, is that I have met with the surgeon to go over options, and yet, won’t even be called for about two weeks to set up the surgery. I chose a lumpectomy with radiation, in case you wanted to know. I‘ll speak more on that later. My personal journey is but a few weeks old, but I have learned a lot about “driving” within the “Formula One“ of the medical system, and sharing my experiences can, hopefully, starve off some of the anxiety and worry, make others laugh and find hope in each moment. #nansplaining