Blog blog blo bl.....

Its cold and rainy in Portland, Oregon. We just hiked with the dogs through Forest Park - about four miles. I was soaked to the bone but its so nice to be able to get out there and do it, in spite of the stereotypical Portland weather (perhaps even enhanced by it.)

In a short while, I'll be off to do an advanced Pilates class on the Reformer.

And later this afternoon I'm going for a swim at my swanky gym that I don't use enough (the venerable Multnomah Athletic Club.)

From all this you'd think I'd embarked on a rigorous work-out regimen. But, in truth, I get this motivated maybe one day a week. I need to figure out something a little more frequent, n'est-ce pas?

Chest scar all cleared up so no more antibiotics. And, in theory, no more doctor appointments until May.

Minimalism

This week Dr Urba recommended, and I agreed, to a minimalist approach to follow up. Now, I kinda had this conversation with Dr. Bader already, but Dr Urba brings a more academic viewpoint to the discussion.

Some people prefer blood draws at regular intervals to test for indicators that the cancer is coming back or already present. This may be reassuring at some level, but can cause extra stress as one waits for results and there's high risk of a false positive (and subsequent debate and distress over need for treatment.) The minimalist POV starts from the premise that there's no cure for cancer, only miserable treatment. So why not wait until you know for sure that you actually have it before embarking on another course of misery. Ergo self exam, annual mammograms and a visit with one of my team (Bader or Urba) once every three months for a couple of years.

Makes sense to me.

In other news: chest scar still infected so am now on antibiotics and going back to see Dr. Lim tomorrow to deal with these non-dissolving dissolving sutures.

Errrr.....

These two jokers clearly enjoy wreaking havoc while we're out of the house. What you see here is the remains of a decorative pillow. We'll be vacuuming feathers for years to come I fear.

I have a follow-up appointment with the oncologist on Monday. It occurred to me earlier this week that I should probably get blood drawn to make sure my insides are fine post chemo. So I called them and they agreed. Another good example of the "I'm my best advocate" principle.

Separately (and yuckily) on review of my port scar last night, I realised it was infected - one of the dissolving sutures hasn't dissolved. So, because I'm ROCK HARD, I actually managed to get most of the offending suture out myself. I'll leave the rest up to the nurses on Monday.

And this is me

Why are my eyes closed? Can't speak and look at people at the same time?

Anyway, here I am at the lovely party thrown for me by my dear friends to celebrate the end of treatment. I'm so grateful to have such wonderful people in my life.

See what I mean about the hair? I mean, its not bad, right?

Deja Vu

This coming Thursday my friends are throwing a party to celebrate my "amazing ability to conquer disease with disdain." Ironic, then, that I should be laid low with a stupid cold. I'm back on the couch, the TV and the dogs as my companions, feeling like a pile of crap. I have two days to get back my invincibility.

Wait...there's a movie in there somewhere....."How Bex Got Her Invincibility Back..."

New Dog

I'm a lousy post-treatment patient

I still haven't contacted Dr. Urba's office....

But I feel great!

And I just can't face more doctor appointments right now.

Also I have the strong (possibly misguided) belief that I'll continue to be fine, its not coming back and/or it won't be the thing that kills me (fatal car crash as a result of my husband's driving 100% more likely.)

In other news, I'm kinda digging my new hair. It's long enough to look like I might have actually elected to cut it this way. Still a bit cold, though.