It's Cancer - Standoff at MDA

Yesterday the radiologist said my wound has to be better before radiation can begin. Today my surgeon said my wound is better and it's fine for radiation to begin. She (my surgeon) did prescribe a topical cream to use on my wound twice a day. I see her again in two weeks.

My thoughts and prayers are with those who were shot in Virginia this morning. Such a tragic and disturbing incident that is truly hard to comprehend. The leaders of both political parties need to stop thrash talking, quit pointing fingers at others, and work together for the good of the country. They need to do what's best for the people and set aside party differences.

Today I'm celebrating nothing. I'll be in a better mood and able to see the bright side in a couple of days, but today I'm sad.

It's Cancer - Radiation postponed AGAIN

I was at MDA this morning for my radiation assessment. As soon as the radiation oncologist saw my wound she cancelled everything. My wound that opened because of the infection I got after surgery has not closed and still drains a small bit every day. To say that I'm disappointed at another delay in radiation is an understatement!

I'll be back at MDA tomorrow for my surgeon to take a look at my wound. My oncology surgeon and plastic surgeon have stated they would prefer for the wound to close on its own, but I'm ready for one of them to pull out their sewing kits and do some stitching. It has been six weeks since the wound appeared. I don't think it's going to close on its own.

Today I'm celebrating a dinner out with Mr. B. I want to get my mind off of today.

It's Cancer - Radiation postponed again

My wound has not completely healed, so my assessment for radiation will not happen tomorrow. Although I'm disappointed with another postponement, I know I need to heal first.

I'm also disappointed with my new hair color. On the back of my head there is tons of very very  short and very very dark hair. It's not long enough to tell if it will be a different texture than it was before, but I'm amazed at how dark it is. I wanted my hair to

grow back a pretty color of gray, or even white. No such luck.

Today I'm celebrating online shopping. I should be receiving some packages in the mail this afternoon. It will be like Christmas in June! Happy early birthday to me!

It's Cancer - Embracing another setback

Yesterday was Wednesday so, of course, I was at MDA. I first saw my surgeon. She is pleased with the healing of my open sore/wound on my left breast, but put something on it that was supposed to help it heal faster. Instead I woke up this morning with several blood spots on my camisole and on the sheets.

Although this is a setback, I didn't tell Mr. B or call the doctor because I don't want to go back in the hospital. I changed my bandage this morning and wore a black shirt today. If I started bleeding again it wouldn't show through my black shirt. The event I've been working on for many months is tomorrow night and I'd really be upset if I had to miss it because I was back in the hospital.

Today I'm celebrating the specialty cocktail I've concocted for tomorrow night's event. I made a batch tonight for the family and got thumbs up. Tomorrow will be a busy day preparing for the event, but I can rest over the weekend.

It's Cancer - Back on track

The catheter was removed from my left side today. It feels so good not to have a bag of bacteria hanging on my side. I have to remain relatively immobile for the next couple of days so there are no more leaks. The danger of another leak is that I will have to have another drain put in place. No thank you.

Being back on track means moving forward with radiation. As of now I have my radiation assessment scheduled for June 6. If all goes well with the assessment I'll start radiation the next day, which will be Phase Three of my cancer treatment.

Today I'm celebrating hair. I continue to rub coconut oil in my scalp every day because my scalp is dry. I'm feeling more hair although it is light and  I can't see it. Mr. B says he can see it. Right now I can just feel the fuzz. It feels like felt. I've been told that my hair will really start growing six months after chemo, which will be September. Fall has always been my favorite time of the year.

It's Cancer - Two days of waiting

Yesterday I had jury duty. I thought about asking for a disqualification because of my cancer, but I woke up feeling good so I went instead of rescheduling for a future date. I accepted my duty for public service. The new jury building for Harris County is much nicer than it used to be. Features include wi-fi, a vending room, and a snackbar with hot and cold coffees prepared by live people. I wasn't put in a jury pool so my service was complete in less than three hours.

Today I'm at MDA for a check-up. I got here this morning around 9:30 a.m. for my first appointment. My wound is healing and no longer needs to be packed. It still has to be bandaged, which is OK with me. The packing was the bad part. My drain is still in place. Maybe they'll remove it next week. Maybe. Now I'm waiting another hour for my last appointment. Unfortunately it is with a doctor who usually keeps me waiting at least an hour. By the time I leave here today it will probably be around 5 p.m. I think after sitting around all day Mr. B should take me to dinner tonight.

Today I'm celebrating Big Daddy Nick. He has been my car service for the last two days. I'm glad I don't have anymore appointments this week because he leaves tomorrow to go back on the road with The Suffers.

It's Cancer - Radiation postponed again

Radiation was supposed to start next week, but it has been postponed again because I still have an infection. Doctors who I see weekly say the infection is improving, which is good news. But healing is slow. A catheter that drains fluid from my breast into a bag I wear is still implanted. I still have an infection and hole in my left breast that Mr. B packs with gauze and bandages daily. Now radiation is tentatively supposed to start on June 6, if I'm healed.

I haven't talked about turning 65 on my June 18th birthday this year because going on Medicare has been a total frustration for me. I've been attempting to coordinate this transfer from our primary insurer (UHC) to Medicare, but kept getting a run around. Every time I called UHC I would get different information. Today Mr. B (who is only 61 ... yes, I'm a cougar) hired an insurance professional to help us. The man got more accomplished in an hour than I did in months of trying.

Today I'm celebrating Mr. B's "brofriends" who are taking him to dinner tonight. He needs a relief from the turmoil of his work and chaos of my cancer. As he was hugging me from behind today he told me he really wished I could give him a big hug, but realizes that can't happen right now. I, too, wish I could give this sweet, caring man a big bear hug, but my chest is just too sore and tender. Soon!