So, it's official...I've got cancer. I wasn't surprised to hear those words. Sometimes you just have a feeling. We are still waiting for some results from pathology that will provide us with more details about the type of cancer. This information will be important for deciding on the sequence of treatment. The initial report shows that I have cancer in my breast and also in the axillary lymph node they biopsied. Based on our conversation with the doctor today, we are fairly certain that both chemotherapy and surgery will be required. On Monday I have an appointment with a surgeon and hopefully by then we will have most/all of the information we need to figure out what happens next. A good piece of news is that my bone scan was clear! I was very happy to hear this, because when you think you might have cancer you have the tendency to over-analyze little aches and pains. I'm glad my hips only ache because of 'old age.' ;) I am in very good hands. We are so thank...
Since people who read this blog include those who love me BUT may not want to read about things I might write about sex and vaginas, consider this your fair warning. No judgement. I can totally dig not wanting to hear about these things from your sister, for example. ;) I have been taking my 'menopause meds' for about 2 months now. As I was already in a chemo-induced menopause (ovaries have been asleep since the spring) I wasn't really sure what kind of symptoms or changes I might expect. When discussing this medication my oncologist (who is wonderful) gave a very quick rundown of major symptoms (hot flashes, fatigue, sleep troubles, joint pain...) and I replied 'Yeah, menopause symptoms' and he said 'yup.' And that was that. My perception of menopause has been that it is a time where hormones change, periods stop, hot flashes and sleep problems happen, and people have mood swings. Hot flashes and mood swings related to this 'change of life' are jok...
Well, my last 'helpful poison' infusion was successfully delivered yesterday. Today I've got that familiar weird feeling as my steroids help keep my body only semi-aware of the effects of the chemo. My pee smells bad again. My face is puffy. I'm too wired to nap but I know the crash will come tomorrow. My last chemo day was much like the rest of them. I was lucky to have a window seat with a nice view on a beautiful day. Rick got to join me since it was the last round (visitors still limited to first and last appointments). He came for the last hour of the day. The chemo suite was a bit hectic as it was slightly understaffed, but my care was still as incredible as always. Last day! My view On the last day of chemo treatment one of the ways patients celebrate this important milestone is by ringing a bell. Over the course of the last few months I have met many people who will be on chemo for life and won't ever get a chance to ring the bell. I have learned that some p...
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