415cc & A Very Expensive Milkshake

🌼 Date: Wednesday, February 18, 2026

⚡ Energy: Running on Fumes & Determination

💗 Status: 415cc & Still Standing – Barely

🤕 Outlook: Healing from the Inside Out

Today Casey had to drag me to my plastics appointment.

And when I say drag, I mean emotionally encourage, physically steady, and act as human guardrail.

The walk from the check-in kiosk upstairs to the doctor’s door felt like I was hiking a moderate incline in the Rockies. Normally it’s an easy stroll. Today? It took twice as long, and I had to hold onto Casey’s arm because my lipsky legs were not interested in participating in society.

By the time we reached the door, I was out of breath.

And there stood the nurse.
Door open.
Waiting.

Which tells me two things:

I walk very slowly right now.
They have seen this before.

Chemo recovery is glamorous like that.

But! Victory moment — I was able to get a fill.

I am now up to 415cc.

For those of you doing the math at home, that’s just over 14 ounces.

Which means I am currently holding a Nesquick chocolate milk in each boob.

That’s right.

My milkshake officially brings all the boys to the yard.

Shout out to my 1.1% — IYKYK.

In all seriousness though, every fill feels like progress. It’s strange celebrating numbers tied to something that only exists because cancer barged into my life uninvited. But here we are. We take the wins where we can get them.

By the time we got home, I collapsed into my recliner like I had just completed an Olympic event titled Extreme Oncology Endurance Walking.

Dinner happened.

And then I was ready for bed.

Not “a little tired.”
Not “let’s watch one show.”
I mean body-shutting-down, system powering off, please-do-not-disturb ready for bed.

My body is using every ounce of available energy to heal itself from the inside out. White cells rebuilding. Tissues repairing. Systems recalibrating.

Which means I have nothing left for frivolous activities.

Like:

Walking from the parking garage to the doctor’s office.
Remaining upright without assistance.
Staying awake past dinner.
Existing with enthusiasm.

Life sure looks different now.

There was a time — not even that long ago — when I could stay out until 2AM and still get up at 6AM for work like it was nothing. Now I need a nap after brushing my teeth.

Cancer has a way of humbling you.

Reprioritizing you.

Rebuilding you.

And exhausting you.

Cancer sucks.

But healing? Healing is happening. Even when it looks like a recliner and an early bedtime.

And if my body needs every last drop of energy to fight from within, then that’s where it’s going.

The boys in the yard can wait.

💗 Tina –
One Badass Day at a Time

415cc & A Very Expensive Milkshake