Let Her Eat Cake

No great surprises at Mayo yesterday... we met with my oncologist who reviewed the surgical report with us. No new information, nothing better, nothing worse, so we're pretty much where we were before the meeting. We are definitely going to be doing chemotherapy (Doc keeps using the word "preventative" before the word chemo and I LOVE that sound.), probably starting right around the time I head back to work. That should be fun. (Adam, insert sarcasm lights around that sentence.)

We'll be meeting with a radiation oncologist on the 9th to determine if radiation is even something we'll be pursuing, and the chemo schedule will probably be set up based on that.

Regardless, it will be about a six month chemo deal and we'll need to bid my lovely locks farewell. Pantene has a new program (Pantene Beautiful Lengths)that requires only 8 inches instead of the 10 inches required by Locks of Love, so I'm going to look into that before my treatment starts. Plus, though I love the cause for Locks of Love, Pantene's program works with a company that makes wigs for women who've lost hair due to cancer treatment... seems a bit more appropriate.

Spirits are still good, appetite is returning to normal, my pain level is really excellent (which is good since I've got about a day and a half of pain meds left), and other than it being bloody hot outside everything else is well! My appointment this week (since apparently I'm meeting a subconscious goal to head to Minnesota at least once a week) is purely cosmetic to check in with my plastic surgeon. As long as there are no infections that should be a piece of cake... which I'll be eating on Monday to celebrate #31 (yikes!). Should be an interesting year. Carpe diem - Trela

Membership Has Its Privileges

When I told one of my friends I had cancer he, a rather classy guy and cancer survivor himself (who will probably read that say, "rather?" and be mildly offended), welcomed me to the club.

And then he promptly told me to get over it.

I think it was the best non-in person slap in the face he could have delivered, and it was of course exactly what I needed. One of his other thoughts, though, reminded me of all of the privileges that cancer carries with it. This involved a brief discussion of the fun and games derived from counting the sad little puppy dog faces one receives in a day when delivering the news to various people we encountered. I don't think he meant it as a challenge, but I tried it out on the couch salesperson first. Puppy Count? Trela: 1, SofaMart, nada

Anyway, here sits my comfy new privilege, my oasis in the chaos, my place to relax, rejuvenate, and recover. And to remember the poor girl's puppy dog face when she tried to figure out if there was a way to rush our order...

If you have been in our house you know we needed new furniture to seat actual adults in our family room anyway, so this couch was simply a matter of time. Bold, red, and GIGANTIC may not have been a cancer-free choice of mine, but currently it's my favorite symbol of recovery. Membership does have it's privileges... especially when it comes with stain guard.

We're headed to Mayo today for my first post-surgical meeting with my oncologist up there. I'm feeling pretty well (woke up with my arm above my head and NOT a lot of pain, so that's a good sign) so far. We're anticipating finding out more about my treatment schedule while we're there today. All for now! Carpe diem - Trela

Still Sleepy

Well, things other than narcotic induced slumber are good here. I think the most memorable quote of the week went something like, "Percocet makes me nauseous. Could I have some please." So, it seems as though it does a good job on the pain.

There is a drain tube that needs to come out, it is looking like that time has come, so we'll be heading north on Wed. to have that removed, then again on Friday for a follow up consult with the oncologist. Hopefully once the drain tube is out the pain will go away enough to cut back to some less potent drugs.

Other than that not much here is new.

Until next time.