My oncologist has a new nurse, and boy to I miss the previous nurse. You see, the new nurse doesn’t answer my emails in a timely fashion (they aren’t really emails, they are electronic messages through the secure myHealth system). The original nurse checked at least twice a day, such that I often had a…
I had three days off of chemo (rather than 7 days between infusions, I had 10 days). In those three extra days, some of the persistent side effects of Taxol began to wear off. I had more energy, less pain, and my mind was more focused. It was easier for me to get out and…
An acquaintance with metastatic disease is having a personal fundraiser and in her invitation she talked about ‘reclaiming pink’. This reminded me very much about the work we do as Unitarian Universalists of reclaiming religious language – a message that resonated very strongly with me and allows me to call my local congregation a “church” even…
Yesterday (Thursday), I had my 7th infusion of Palitaxel (Taxol). When I wrote about my chemo plan in my temper tantrum post, I was off by one dose – so I shall end taxol at 9 doses. So Thursday was my Star Trek Voyager treatment (7 of 9) … I now have my last two…
I got out for a bike ride this afternoon, 21km on the trike. What was really interesting is when my iPod started playing Bon Jovi’s “It’s my life”. This song has had special meaning for me, ever since karaoke in the crew lounge in the middle of the Atlantic on a container ship. I almost…
Yesterday, I felt like a two year old having a temper tantrum. I don’t wanna! I screamed to myself as tears dripped down my eyes. I got a call from the surgery scheduler. They were awaiting word from my oncologist about chemo scheduling. After talking they conferred with my oncologist, I got word that the plan…
I watched this pretty cool TED talk this morning. Boy wouldn’t it be nice if detecting breast cancer was as easy as a blood test that could be done as part of your annual physical. I do wonder if it would still detect it sooner than self-exams in young women – in that, I had…
Until I was diagnosed with breast cancer, I was not aware of it! October came and went with lots of pink ribbons, pink running shoes, TV commercials about various breast cancer charities, dumb games on Facebook, and requests for donations to some unknown charity with breast cancer in the title at the grocery store. None…
Last night I was reminded of Groundhog Day – if the groundhog sees his shadow, then 6-more weeks of chemo – if he doesn’t see his shadow, then we are done with chemo. Today is mostly cloudy (figuratively, not literally, its almost always sunny here). MRI results are rather encouraging (although I don’t completely understand them)…
I am preparing myself for disappointment. I have convinced myself that I can endure six more rounds of chemo, but only if I can have a week off to gain some strength. Love how I’m bargaining with this cancer? Tomorrow I expect I’ll be bargaining with my oncologist. I only hope that taking a week…
