I used to think dissociation was an odd type of mental health issue that paired with dissociative identity disorder, DID. After intense periods of reflection and therapy, I realize that I dissociated for nine months last year. And I do it naturally without even thinking about it. This is why I have a very high …
Definition: anxiety over upcoming text results. A term widely used in cancer circles. I’m awaiting my first blood test results since my surgery hospital stay. For the most part, I’m feeling great consistently. Hardly any pain though low energy is still a struggle. But that could change after this appointment. What if the cancer is …
And now, as promised, the exciting conclusion (still read that in a 90s movie trailer voice. I have been rewatching a lot of 90s movies...)! Moving Forward: I went to my gyn onc on Monday and he gave me the BEST news! I don't have to do any radiation, so I'm essentially done with active …
I've been writing these posts in my head for about three weeks now. What happened in surgery, how I'm recovering physically and emotionally, and my treatment plan moving forward has been a lot for me to digest and then put into coherent words. This may not be coherent, but this is my stream of consciousness …
Continue reading Mary Maegan Brundage, January 14, 19 something: A Cancer Story
Friends! Have you seen? My GoFundMe has raised $7,730 since I created it yesterday (if you haven't seen my GoFundMe page lately, click here). I cannot even believe it. I keep saying that. And crying. All the crying. I had no idea such a venerable, altruistic community and extended community existed around me. Some people …
When I was diagnosed with recurrent ovarian cancer in 2019 and was subsequently prescribed chemo after my second surgery, I had many, many thoughts ricochetting around the expanse of my mind; however, losing my hair was not one of them. My appearance did not matter much to me in that moment, just that I was …
Continue reading Hair Talk: Why I Shaved My Head Before Starting Chemo and Why I Nixed the Wig
Recently I was asked to join my friend, Shohreh Davoodi in her Redefining Health and Wellness podcast for an interview on my experience seeing life through the cancer lens. The episode dropped yesterday and it's brought up so many things for me to feel and sort through, the most pertinent and searing: the dreaded imposter …
Continue reading Imposter Syndrome and My First Podcast Interview
Ever since I was diagnosed with recurrent ovarian cancer, I have been contemplating my mortality which inevitably launches me into an existential, what is the meaning of my short life, and what happens when we die- crisis. I have avoided talking about death with too many people because it is just so sad. I'm writing …
Mae Goes West 