For those of you who don't already know, I was recently diagnosed with Stage III breast cancer (last week). The stage diagnosed was a big blow to us, but we (me and my family) are looking forward to successfully completing the treatments and being cancer-free - at least whatever that means to any survivor.
I'll be using this blog to keep track of what's happening and you'll see in the title "Week" in some form or fashion. If you don't, then the post is going to be about some random topic that interests me for example, the sheer insanity of some parents who have 5 kids. It is also interesting to note that if I had any doubt I'd run out of topics to blog about, one has presented itself.
To begin- what is the Week 1 reference? I consider Week 1 the week I received the confirmation from the doctor that I was positive for cancer. Here is what had happened before that (and I put in some detail because friends and family who know have asked me this.
Friday 13 May: annual well-woman exam, my examination revealed a lump (yes, my fellow BVers, this is what I missed Volente beach for). However, I already knew something was up.
Wednesday 18 May: follow-up with a surgeon who felt multiple lumps (big downturn here for me..What??! more than 1?!!)
Friday 27th May: diagnostic mammogram and ultrasound shows things (by this time no big surprise). You already know when the technician says that "the doctor wants to talk to you about your results."
Friday 3rd June: biopsy
Monday 6th June: Positive confirmation of cancer
Tuesday 7th June: G's band of brothers - his men's group rallied around him (and our family) with actions, words and prayers. Just amazing.
Wednesday 8th June: first visit to my oncologist (who does an examination and assesses the clinical stage of the cancer). Stage III. That was such a big blow. Totally shocking (especially since prior diagnostic mammogram was only 10 months before). Fast-growing was what the oncologist said.
Thursday 9th June: Let my bosses at my job know. Very stressful, but what amazing support and love!! There is a reason I ended up at that company!
Friday 10th June: Pet/CT Scan where they assess the extent of the cancer and its spread. This was a big, big deal, very worrisome.
Saturday 11th June: My dad arrived from Trinidad, happily looking forward to a family vacation in Berlin with us, only to be told the news and that I'd be doing chemo for the next few months.Very hard conversation, but he took it well, but of course when he wakes up in the night, he will be worried. My mom died of this disease, but that was a different time, with different quality of care.
And that's the size of it. Basically, I had pain last year, had it checked out, couldn't find anything, but now we can. That negative result lulled me into a false sense of security..but more on that on another rant.
At this time, the kids don't know yet.
Fear Rating: Low - things moving too fast to be afraid. Got to do what I've got to do (but very high if I wake up in the night)
Worry Rating: Low (but very high if I wake up in the night). It is a big help to know that there are so many family and friends praying for me, as well as the day-to-day support from my colleagues at work.
Physical Health Rating: No change. The fact that I knew didn't mean I was about to act sick if I wasn't. Apparently there will be ample opportunity for that later on when I start chemo
Mental Health: So far so good. But I imagine there will come a day when I will have a good long cry. That day isn't here yet.
Stay tuned for Week 2. If you have questions, know I'll take a while to respond.
For my American friends, just a reminder that I'll be writing in British English
I'll be using this blog to keep track of what's happening and you'll see in the title "Week" in some form or fashion. If you don't, then the post is going to be about some random topic that interests me for example, the sheer insanity of some parents who have 5 kids. It is also interesting to note that if I had any doubt I'd run out of topics to blog about, one has presented itself.
To begin- what is the Week 1 reference? I consider Week 1 the week I received the confirmation from the doctor that I was positive for cancer. Here is what had happened before that (and I put in some detail because friends and family who know have asked me this.
Friday 13 May: annual well-woman exam, my examination revealed a lump (yes, my fellow BVers, this is what I missed Volente beach for). However, I already knew something was up.
Wednesday 18 May: follow-up with a surgeon who felt multiple lumps (big downturn here for me..What??! more than 1?!!)
Friday 27th May: diagnostic mammogram and ultrasound shows things (by this time no big surprise). You already know when the technician says that "the doctor wants to talk to you about your results."
Friday 3rd June: biopsy
Monday 6th June: Positive confirmation of cancer
Tuesday 7th June: G's band of brothers - his men's group rallied around him (and our family) with actions, words and prayers. Just amazing.
Wednesday 8th June: first visit to my oncologist (who does an examination and assesses the clinical stage of the cancer). Stage III. That was such a big blow. Totally shocking (especially since prior diagnostic mammogram was only 10 months before). Fast-growing was what the oncologist said.
Thursday 9th June: Let my bosses at my job know. Very stressful, but what amazing support and love!! There is a reason I ended up at that company!
Friday 10th June: Pet/CT Scan where they assess the extent of the cancer and its spread. This was a big, big deal, very worrisome.
Saturday 11th June: My dad arrived from Trinidad, happily looking forward to a family vacation in Berlin with us, only to be told the news and that I'd be doing chemo for the next few months.Very hard conversation, but he took it well, but of course when he wakes up in the night, he will be worried. My mom died of this disease, but that was a different time, with different quality of care.
And that's the size of it. Basically, I had pain last year, had it checked out, couldn't find anything, but now we can. That negative result lulled me into a false sense of security..but more on that on another rant.
At this time, the kids don't know yet.
Fear Rating: Low - things moving too fast to be afraid. Got to do what I've got to do (but very high if I wake up in the night)
Worry Rating: Low (but very high if I wake up in the night). It is a big help to know that there are so many family and friends praying for me, as well as the day-to-day support from my colleagues at work.
Physical Health Rating: No change. The fact that I knew didn't mean I was about to act sick if I wasn't. Apparently there will be ample opportunity for that later on when I start chemo
Mental Health: So far so good. But I imagine there will come a day when I will have a good long cry. That day isn't here yet.
Stay tuned for Week 2. If you have questions, know I'll take a while to respond.
For my American friends, just a reminder that I'll be writing in British English
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