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.

Onwards

I met with Dr Bader, the radiation oncologist, this morning in large part to check up on my progress post radiation but also so I could get a fix on what I'm supposed to do next - I've heard different versions now from different doctors and in one case from the same doctor.

I think I've got it now:

• I have absolutely got to stick to a regular self-exam schedule (it turned out to be life-saving this time...)
  
• I will have one bi-lateral mammogram per year
• At this time I'll meet with the radiation oncologist
• A copy of the mammogram will be sent to the surgeon (unlike many cancer surgeons, Dr Lim likes to keep tabs on his patients.) He may or may not want to meet with me at this time (depends on how he's feeling, I guess...)
  
• Copies will also go to the medical oncologist (Dr. Urba), my ObGyn and my regular doctor
• I'll happily mail signed copies to any of you, dear readers
  
• And I'll need to set up a schedule with Dr Urba's office to get blood drawn a few times annually to check on if/how the chemo is affecting me
  

I hope I remember all this.

In other news my left breast (the offending one) looks almost the same as the right breast (hooray!) but apparently that will change as I age (sigh.) Maybe it changes for everyone.

And the chances of this crap returning in the next two years are nominal. Thereafter I'm at the same level of risk as any woman my age, as long as I don't take up smoking (natch.)

Port Out Starboard Home

I suspect not many people will get that reference.

Anyway, here it is, in a jar of formaldehyde (the port, that is.) Dr Lim gave it to me to keep for posterity.

The procedure was quite nerve wracking. Although the area was heavily anesthetized and my head was averted the whole time, there's a certain amount of discomfort associated with having someone dig around your chest wall to cut open the sutures that keep a port in place.

Glad that's done. And now I have something really good for Show & Tell tomorrow at work :)

Nothing Compares 2 U

If I was smaller and darker in complexion then I might pass for Sinead O'Connor during her shaved-head period right now. I suppose what I mean is, I currently have Sinead's hair.

I might show it off at a party my friend Paul is throwing for me in Seattle this weekend.