Positive Prognosis

After a series of appointments with increasingly bad news, I finally got some good news: the cancer has NOT metastasized; that means it has not spread to other parts of my body. That strong breeze you feel is my sigh of relief. What a weight has been lifted! And hope returns.

We are still waiting for the results of the HER2 test, which will determine which of two chemotherapy regimens I will follow. The first session of chemo will be this Monday. Meanwhile, I have to get ready. Today I got an echocardiogram that assured I have a strong heart. Tomorrow I get my teeth cleaned, because apparently it's really a bad idea to do that when your immune system is suppressed. After another biopsy tomorrow, on Friday I will have a mediport put in under my skin near the collarbone to provide an access point for the chemo drugs directly to the bloodstream.

I've been told to expect my hair to fall out about three weeks after the first chemo session. Since they say it's not as traumatic to lose short hair, I'm getting my hair cut very short next week. And now people will start calling me "sir" again. But hair grows back.

Sometime around Christmas I will have a full mastectomy and begin radiation. I may also be continuing a lower dose of chemo.

I have to say this is really quite inconvenient. I have things to do. But I have an army of eager supporters awaiting orders on how they might help. I really don't know yet, but when I need help, I will ask. People have been absolutely amazing. Astonishing grace abounds, waiting to be expressed. Once again, I am its recipient.

Life is good.