I had my PET scan yesterday.  My doc called first thing this morning to let me know that it was clear.  It did not find cancer anywhere else in my body.  Therefore, the plan remains the same - it was designed based on the assumption that the cancer had not spread further.  [...]

I like to think of myself as relatively healthy and strong. Multiple doctors have recently puffed up that self-image by describing me as young (in the world of cancer, 42 is still young!!) and healthy (other than that pesky cancer thing). In preparation for my surgery, I just kind of assumed I would be on the speedier end of the normal range of recovery. Apparently I was overly confident. Tomorrow will be three weeks from surgery. I still have all three drains (can’t start easing back to running and biking until those are out). I am still needing my regular Percocet (which means no driving). And I still seem to need long naps (not the worst part, especially today’s 2.5 hour nap 😴). The doc is not concerned, but I am not pleased.[...]

There is one part of Christmas prep that I should not have a problem with this year - the shopping for gifts (thanks to Amazon Prime)!  

But seeing as I’m married to Hurricane Scrooge, I generally do 99% of the decorating, including the unpacking, repacking and storing of the Christmas decorations boxes. I convinced the husband to take them out this morning (under my close supervision). But even with them out there is only so much I can do. Therefore I’ve decided to take a Christmas tree “shortcut” this year. I say “shortcut” because I’m not sure it will save a lot of time and effort, but it seems minimalist.  And minimalist will be good when it’s time to take down decorations when my hair is falling out and I’m reeling from my second chemo treatment on December 28![...]

Not only do I have a freezer full of Omaha Steaks’ Crock Pot meals and a fridge full of Thanksgiving leftovers, in just one day I received four books and two Amazon gift cards from friends, family and a VP in my office. Looks like I have some good reading material for my hours ahead at chemo!  Thank you ❤️[...]

I think this should be pretty evident but the obvious should stated every so often. I am grateful for my husband, my two crazy boys, my side of our family near and far, my husband’s side of our family, my friends also near and far, my doctors and nurses, my job and modern science. I love you and I am glad you are in my life. Except maybe my doctors, I would rather not need you, but as long as I do need you, I am thankful for you. [...]

I was being silly and testing out my bald with scarf look. And then I noticed my mom cracking jokes in the background. Pretty sure she is about to roll her eyes here and say something sarcastic. ❤️[...]

Today was the big first meeting with the oncologist.  We walked out with a December to January calendar including 13(!) appointments.  And that's only because they don't schedule more than two months out.  Here is the update (hopefully answering the various questions that some of you have sent me):[...]

I don’t recall who pointed out this initially but now that I have a host of additional doctors - I find it interesting that my breast surgeon, plastic surgeon, breast oncologist, radiation oncologist, genetic counselor, the nurse practitioner for the oncologist, the nurse practitioner in my primary care office, every doc I have seen in my primary care office and every nurse I have encountered throughout my cancer treatment so far are ALL WOMEN. (Pretty sure the only male I have encountered was the anesthesiologist before my surgery.)[...]

This is not a good trend. Too many posts written in the wee hours. No wonder I’m getting double naps many days. 

Tonight may have something to do with tomorrow’s visit with the oncologist. I want a plan. I don’t want bad news. Yes, that’s pretty obvious. And it’s keeping the brain spinning and awake. [...]

I think I have been spared so many of the cliched responses to a cancer diagnosis. People have been amazing. Tonight my friend, who is mom to my 6-year-old’s classmate, picked the boys up from their after school program, fed them pizza and kept them for an evening play date with her kids. No stressing over what to make for them for dinner, no leaving work early for my husband so he could manage drop off and pick up in one day. It was such a huge help. (I can only hope the boys remembered some of my pre-visit lecture about how to behave.)[...]