This week

Aug 26

The other day, my friend Joy was walking behind her daughter and my Maren.  The girls were chattering away, as five-year-olds do.  Joy tuned in to hear this snippet of their conversation; it’s Maren describing to her friend what the plan is for the coming week(s): Maren, “My mom is going to the hospital to have surgery.”  Gesturing to her chest,...

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“Your PET scan looks…”

Aug 23

“…good,”  These were Dr. Wonderful’s first words as he sat with Brad and I today in the consult room. It may not sound like high praise, but Dr. Wonderful doesn’t throw around positive adjectives unless he means them.  “Good” from Dr. Wonderful is worthy of a fist pump and a high five.  The treatment has been effective...

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Elsie

Aug 20

Everyone knows I have breast cancer, right?  This means that I sort of have to talk about the breast(s) and related issues, which is weird because my dad, and my uncles, and even my 90-year-old grandfather read this blog.  However, nothing makes breasts more clinical than cancer and mastectomies.  I just have to acknowledge that it’s slightly uncomfortable....

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Happy Testing Phase

Aug 19

We’re back from vacation. And I have a PET scan tomorrow.  (A PET scan is a whole-body scan that detects cancer.) And that’s what you call a jarring jump back to reality.  I’m switching gears.  And yet, not really.  I love my life on vacation, but I also love my everyday regular life.  Cancer appointments have become part of my regular life, and I...

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Countdown

Aug 02

My surgery date is scheduled: August 30th.  Four weeks from today. I am looking forward to the surgery; I scheduled it for the first day Dr. Awesome was willing to operate.  I desire no delay for cancer to get comfortable.  And three weeks between my last chemo (8/8) and surgery is enough time for my body to be strong enough for the operation. I feel fine about the...

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Fuzz

Aug 01

Fuzz

Oddly, my hair is growing.  I have fuzz.  I thought a lot about how to describe it, but I couldn’t find the right words.  Everyone who sees me these days comments on it, so I thought it appropriate that my far-away-friends should see it too.  Sometimes, a picture does the job right: The hair, my hair, is soft.  Like baby hair.  It is very thin, both in...

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