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...
It has been three days since my surgery and I'm feeling pretty good! I wanted to write an update while the experience was more fresh in my mind, but I've been too busy relaxing. :) My surgery was scheduled for 12:15 Wednesday. I checked in around 10:15 and was changed into my fancy hospital garb by 10:30. At this point I learned from the other patients that things were running behind by about an hour. It's a good thing I'm really good at waiting! I passed most of the time from 10:30 until after 1:00 reading, knitting, doing crosswords, and watching TV coverage of the queue to see the Queen lying in state in London. At some point around 12:00 I was called in for a pre-surgery interview and to have my IV started. They were able to use my PICC for the IV which made me happy - it's good to be able to put it to use while it's here. Before and after that point I made the occasional trip to the washroom to stretch my legs...most of the chairs in the waiting area were p...
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...
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