On Monday Mom and I met the Radiation Oncologist, Dr. Shelly. She has got the ball rolling for genetic testing, a CT scan and a bone scan. I'm excited about the scans. Don't you love being able to see what's happening under your skin?
We'll meet Dr. Reid, the Gynaecologist, this morning. Should be interesting! Next week: Dr. Levesque, the Medical Oncologist who will see me through chemotherapy.
It's great to be back in Kingston.
Wednesday, January 27, 2010
Monday, January 18, 2010
Killing Suspense
Finally, an appointment with the gynaecologist! It is such a relief to know I have a diversion between this convalescence and chemotherapy. Last week's consultation confirmed the course of treatment, following the precautionary harvesting; Chemotherapy, then Radiotherapy.
My parents are The Best! They're looking after me! They've let me come to their house in Ottawa for a spell. It takes a giant burden off my mind to have people around who care so completely for me. The bonuses of frequent hugs, Zelda time, friends, the salt-water swimming pool, and the massage therapist who always makes me feel that I am in good hands... getting better is a pleasure.
Over the last few days I've prepared an application for the Ontario Disability Support Program. Who knows whether I'll be considered an acceptable candidate for their financial aid? Lord knows I deserve it. It feels great to have that flaming hoop behind me, anyway. Which leads me to a couple of other things I am grateful for...
1. Living in a country where the financial burden of health care is covered by provincial insurance. Holy Shit, that is great.
2. Ontario Health Insurance Plan. I'm sorry, I just can't get over it. When I think about what this whole situation could cost me if I lived somewhere else, I want to leap out of my skin!
My parents are The Best! They're looking after me! They've let me come to their house in Ottawa for a spell. It takes a giant burden off my mind to have people around who care so completely for me. The bonuses of frequent hugs, Zelda time, friends, the salt-water swimming pool, and the massage therapist who always makes me feel that I am in good hands... getting better is a pleasure.
Over the last few days I've prepared an application for the Ontario Disability Support Program. Who knows whether I'll be considered an acceptable candidate for their financial aid? Lord knows I deserve it. It feels great to have that flaming hoop behind me, anyway. Which leads me to a couple of other things I am grateful for...
1. Living in a country where the financial burden of health care is covered by provincial insurance. Holy Shit, that is great.
2. Ontario Health Insurance Plan. I'm sorry, I just can't get over it. When I think about what this whole situation could cost me if I lived somewhere else, I want to leap out of my skin!
Thursday, January 14, 2010
Today
All bandages are off! Oxycocet is no longer required! The wound is obviously struggling to heal, and people are giving me good suggestions about how to help that process along. Stretching feels great!
Mom is coming to town this evening, and we're seeing Dr. Engel in the morning. It will be a relief to know what the next stage will be.
Cheers!
Tuesday, January 12, 2010
I'm So Happy!
Dr. Engel's secretary just told me that none of the seven lymph nodes he took last week have cancer in them.
Yesterday, Nurse removed the drain from my side. It slpattered all over me, but I didn't care...so glad it's out.
Yesterday, Nurse removed the drain from my side. It slpattered all over me, but I didn't care...so glad it's out.
Monday, January 4, 2010
Friday, January 1, 2010
When I started writing it was dark and quiet outside. The town was covered in fresh powdery snow and most students were, and are still, away for holidays. There seems to be no one in this big old house, but me.
This holiday season has been something else. Reconnecting with family and friends has emotionally grounded and nourished me while rest, delicious food, excellent exercise and massage have helped to physically re-enforce that soothing sense of belonging.
On reflection, the experience of last month's lumpectomy & sentinel node biopsy give me confidence in the treatments that lie ahead... The tumor removed in December was roughly 2cm in size, which is big enough to be considered potentially dangerous. Cancer cells were found in one of the three lymph nodes taken. There were only millimeters of cancer in the node, but the fact that there were cancer cells there at all seems to indicate risk of cancer spreading to other organs and tissues. ...The next surgery will see the armpit incision re-opened and elongated, the fat tissue and remaining lymph nodes will be removed. Hopefully no more cancer will be found in that pile of muck. Though, whatever is found will help determine the risk of cancer recurring, the dosage for chemotherapy, and the location for radiation therapy.
One of the drawbacks of having lymph nodes removed is the increased possibility of developing lymphedema (swelling because of fluids) in the affected arm. Thankfully there are agreeable ways of controlling that condition. Because the lymphatic system acts like a sewer system, taking away gross fluids, the arm will always have a harder time healing cuts and fighting off infection. This will require some simple preventative care and special attention. There likely will be more numb areas in the arm after surgery, and certainly there will be a period of regaining mobility and strength.
It's a dazzling day here. I should get a move on. I'd like to go swimming, and I need to prepare some paperwork for my application to the Ontario Disability Support Program.
Happy New Year!
This holiday season has been something else. Reconnecting with family and friends has emotionally grounded and nourished me while rest, delicious food, excellent exercise and massage have helped to physically re-enforce that soothing sense of belonging.
On reflection, the experience of last month's lumpectomy & sentinel node biopsy give me confidence in the treatments that lie ahead... The tumor removed in December was roughly 2cm in size, which is big enough to be considered potentially dangerous. Cancer cells were found in one of the three lymph nodes taken. There were only millimeters of cancer in the node, but the fact that there were cancer cells there at all seems to indicate risk of cancer spreading to other organs and tissues. ...The next surgery will see the armpit incision re-opened and elongated, the fat tissue and remaining lymph nodes will be removed. Hopefully no more cancer will be found in that pile of muck. Though, whatever is found will help determine the risk of cancer recurring, the dosage for chemotherapy, and the location for radiation therapy.
One of the drawbacks of having lymph nodes removed is the increased possibility of developing lymphedema (swelling because of fluids) in the affected arm. Thankfully there are agreeable ways of controlling that condition. Because the lymphatic system acts like a sewer system, taking away gross fluids, the arm will always have a harder time healing cuts and fighting off infection. This will require some simple preventative care and special attention. There likely will be more numb areas in the arm after surgery, and certainly there will be a period of regaining mobility and strength.
It's a dazzling day here. I should get a move on. I'd like to go swimming, and I need to prepare some paperwork for my application to the Ontario Disability Support Program.
Happy New Year!
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