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Continue reading →: A Life Once Lived: a “pick me” normal wish
My life isn’t terrible, or unbearable since diagnosed- it’s just different. Different in the ways that I see things, tolerate things, put stock into things. I’d say I’m a fair person- to judge only by the cards laid by others, but still finding reason in why they were dealt (so…
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Continue reading →: Radiation Station
Part of my everyday life (welp, Mon – Fri) is going to radiation at the hospital. Before I started this journey, I didn’t really know anything about what that entailed, and mom thought it’d be cool to explain, so here we are! Let’s dive into radiation! Fire the laser! Why…
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Continue reading →: Week 2: The Many Facets of Cancer
Yesterday, I did yardwork for hours. We had awesome help, the kids were sleeping, the sun was shining. I got after it just like I normally would… but much slower. It was lovely. Why am I telling you about doing yardwork, you might be asking. Like, wtf cares, gold star!…
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Continue reading →: Tales from the Radiation Waiting Room: Mr. Gerald
He walked in apprehensively, shuffling into the flourescently-tinged waiting room. He wore long sleeves, jeans, & a t-shirt. A ball cap covered his unkempt, grey hair, the color reflected somewhat in his sparse, 5-o’clock shadow. His hands stuffed in his pockets, he tried to channel the feeling of warmth as…
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Continue reading →: Week 1: 1 is the Loneliest Number
Welp. Here we are. One week in, y’all. Let’s chat about it while evaluating thoughts on isolation & the feeling of loneliness. Last Monday, November 18th, I went in and had my first experience with my port being accessed (snicker snicker) and chemotherapy being plugged on in. This is one…
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Continue reading →: Talking About Ass Cancer with my Kids
A common question I get is how I chat about Ass Cancer with our children, Wilder June (3 years) and Cosmo Abbott (almost 2 years). At first, I didn’t give it much thought – they’re so young, I simply hoped they wouldn’t remember. Slowly, I realized that approach wouldn’t work…
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Continue reading →: Hell Week.
We lovingly dubbed this past week “Hell Week”, due to an appointment or surgery basically everyday. This is the last push before receiving something I really, really long for: a routine- something that is consistent within all of this and I think that the Ass Cancer Boss (Anal Oncologist) that…
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Continue reading →: So, how did we get here? Part 2
Continued from So, how did we get here: Part 1 I was referred to a GI specialist, surgeon, and a gastroenterologist after I spent some time in the ER. The blood was an every day thing, I needed more and more rest and naps, and my primary doctor didn’t like…
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Continue reading →: So, how did we get here? Part 1
One of the questions I get assed most often is, “What were your symptoms?” Gather ’round, children, while I tell you a tale of health neglect, business as usual, and “it was fine until it wasn’t”. About a year ago, in November of 2023, I called the nurse hotline with…
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Continue reading →: That time I was told I had cancer.
On October 17th, my world ended. Or, at least it felt like it ended. I woke up from a colonoscopy procedure and was told that 6 polyps, ranging in size from 2mm – 7mm had been removed. Additionally, a 25 mm mass had been located in my anal canal, it…
Oh, hey there!
I’m Kirsten.
Welcome to my blog about Ass Cancer. Butt, really? Yep, all about my journey with Anal Cancer at age 40. I can promise lots of ass jokes, sexy cancer-speak, & sprinkles of tender moments as I navigate. Updates on my health, thoughts, experience, and more will all be published here, so check back frequently.
The Ass Cancer Chronicles 