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    Home » Recipes » Life in New England

    a quick life update

    Published: Nov 8, 2016 · Last modified: Jan 10, 2021 by Leslie Kiszka / This post may contain affiliate links.

    Breast Cancer Awareness banner at Rowes Wharf

    I have at least a dozen new recipe ideas in my head right now. And I have probably six new recipes with pictures that are ready to be edited and tossed into posts. It would just require me to set aside a few hours and do it, but unfortunately there’s something more pressing taking up my time. I hate that I’ve been so absent in recent months, so I feel like I should let you all know what’s going on. Plus, I walked past this big, beautiful banner hanging at Rowes Wharf and it seemed like maybe it was a sign that it’s time to speak up. And frankly, this still doesn’t seem as terrible as this year’s election.

    I’ve recently been diagnosed with polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS), late stage endometriosis, and early stage breast cancer. I’ve begun hormone therapy and will be scheduling a minor surgery in the near future. I had to say goodbye to coffee (quiet sobbing), I’ve stopped wearing makeup because my skin is rebelling against me in the process, my energy level has plummeted, and I’ve become buds with the local pharmacist. I’m also learning what dollar amounts on a medical bill put me into shell shock.

    That’s… a lot. All at once. I’ve tried to keep my day to day as normal as possible, but yesterday morning I got a decent dose of reality when I woke up with a killer migraine and I couldn’t take my usual medication for it because it would interact with everything else I’m taking (at least, that’s what I’ve been told). I had to stay home from work, and that’s what I’ve been trying to avoid with all of this – and it wasn’t even because of part the treatment. It was a sudden moment of “Well… I guess I can’t do it all.” 

    I don’t look sick. I look tired as hell, but I don’t look sick. Which is… good? I consider that to be lucky, but it makes conversations about my condition awkward. People still have it in their heads that if you don’t look sick it’s not “real”. It’s weird and I don’t get it. I know people who have extremely serious conditions who look a hell of a lot better than I do on my best day, but that doesn’t make them any less sick. It’s a stigma that I wish would just dissipate already. 

    It’s all going to be fine, the prognosis on everything is good and I have no reason to be worried that I won’t be back to normal soon. However, I wanted to share my story with you all to not only explain my absence, but to also spread awareness. I’m 32 years old, and with my family history I have a higher than normal risk for disease and I get screened for everything under the sun every year – and I’m glad that I do (as much as it sucks at the time) because I caught the breast cancer early. So early, in fact, that the doctor made a point of saying that she hesitates to use the word “cancer” because it’s going to be so easily taken care of. I’m lucky in that regard, but not everyone is. You know who else is lucky? Me, for finally getting to see the Cubs win the World Series – it was a night of joy that I desperately needed and it was SO WORTH IT.

    Please take a moment to read up on breast cancer, endometriosis, and polycystic ovary syndrome – you’d be surprised at how many women you know that are probably suffering from at least one of them. Donate where you can, get yourself screened, and remember that just because someone doesn’t look sick doesn’t mean that they aren’t. Give them a hug and a cookie, send them cute dog pictures and just be there – I promise they’ll appreciate it more than you realize.

    In the meantime, I have these furballs on my side (the boyfriend included since I consider his beard to be a kind of fur):

    penny-puck-padfoot

     

    « Lobster Scampi with Cheese Tortellini
    Nautical Pumpkin Pie »

    Reader Interactions

    Comments

    1. Joanne

      November 27, 2016 at 8:21 am

      Sending you hugs from PA.

      Reply
      • lesliehaasch

        November 28, 2016 at 1:49 pm

        Thank you, Joanne – I hope you guys are well. Miss you!

        Reply
    2. Aimee Poppenga

      November 09, 2016 at 1:35 pm

      Leslie,
      My thoughts prayers and love are with you to beat this. Your a strong young lady and please know that if you need anything, just message me. If you were here sweetie, I’d be hugging you now. Lve, Aimee Poppenga xoxo

      Reply
      • lesliehaasch

        November 10, 2016 at 11:28 am

        Thank you, Mrs. P!

        Reply
    3. Shawna

      November 08, 2016 at 4:24 pm

      Sending you hugs n puppy kisses.

      Reply
      • lesliehaasch

        November 10, 2016 at 11:28 am

        Right back at ’em!

        Reply
    4. Elizabeth @ Bowl of Delicious

      November 08, 2016 at 8:41 am

      Hey Leslie- what a bummer :-( So sorry you are going through this. While I didn’t have a triple diagnosis whammy like you did, I did get diagnosed with PCOS last year. I was reallllly bummed when I found out, mostly because it can make it difficult to have a baby. But after a couple of weeks of moping, I found out that it is extremely manageable. And extremely common (although no one EVER talks about it!) Joining support groups on facebook was super helpful for me, so I could talk to girls who had the same thing, as well as eating mostly Paleo (seriously… it was ridiculous how much that helped, and helps most women with PCOS). Also, I found out that Daisy Ridley AND Victoria Beckham both have PCOS so we are in extremely cool company! And as far as the infertility aspect of it… I’m 30 weeks pregnant, so take that PCOS! Please feel free to reach out if you ever want to talk about it or get more information. Sending good thoughts your way :-)

      Reply
      • lesliehaasch

        November 08, 2016 at 2:20 pm

        Thank you, Elizabeth! I’m thrilled that fertility wasn’t an issue for you, and I can’t wait to see pictures of the cutie when she makes her appearance!

        Reply

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    Hi there! I'm Leslie. I use baking as an outlet for relieving stress and anxiety to provide you with easy to follow homemade recipes and a little humor. About Leslie ⟶

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