"I got to thinking one day about all those women on the Titanic who passed up dessert at dinner that fateful night in an effort to 'cut back.' From then on, I've tried to be a little more flexible."
(Erma Bombeck)
Saturday, January 31, 2009 at 2:05PM Two days ago, I started the second phase of my cancer treatment: radiation. I reported to the Cancer Care Center at 1:30 p.m. ready to get the show on the road. I was surprised by how anxious I felt. Despite all of the reading about radiation I have done, when it comes down to actually doing it, it’s still rather . . . freaky.
Wednesday, January 21, 2009 at 2:04PM This afternoon I visited the Breast Care Center for the first mammogram I've had since the one last June that started this whole cancer journey. I tried not to think about the upcoming appointment, expecting (and hoping) that it would be routine and uneventful. I told myself that if I could get a routine mammogram under my belt, I would feel better about charting a new course for my future life as a cancer survivor. Well, the routine exam I was hoping for didn't exactly pan out the way I was expecting. I reported to the front desk and went through the usual check-in with my insurance cards. I even showed up ten minutes early, hoping to get it behind me faster.
Monday, January 12, 2009 at 2:03PM This morning was my first "real" consultation with the radiation oncologist in my home town (Mount Vernon). If you recall, I met with him back in September, expecting to start radiation treatments then. However, he pulled out the results of my Oncotype DX test and blew me away with the results, resulting in my search for a second opinion and chemo treatments at Swedish Hospital. Just like in golf, a high score with the Oncotype DX test is undesirable. It turned out that, due to a measurement of 21 different genes in my tumor, I had an "intermediate" risk of distant recurrence (metastasized) cancer within 10 years. So all the radiation talk went out the window and chemo was on the agenda.
Saturday, January 3, 2009 at 1:54PM I haven’t written on my blog lately because: a) I’m lazy b) I have so many things on my mind that I couldn’t possibly share it all c) I’ve been in “vacation mode” d) I’ve been working on financial paperwork for college financial aid e) I have felt a bit “blah” these last two weeks f) I feel that I have nothing of value to share with others g) All of the above If you guessed “g,” you are correct. Congratulations! Christmas break has been a wonderful respite from the routine of work and doctor’s appointments. I’ve eaten too much, attempted to get back on the treadmill, watched a plethora of movies, eaten out several times, attended the symphony, shopped, and just generally indulged myself. Ahhhhh!!!! (visualize getting your feet massaged while letting your breath out slowly . . . yes, that’s it . . . that’s how I’m feeling).
