Too Much Information

Way to much information for my little brain. Thank goodness I had read and had some pre-knowledge. I have so many thoughts floating around my head it's hard to put them in one place. I guess the best news is I have a start date for sure, October 27, 2009 and a potential stop date of February 9, 2009, then radiation begins. In my hand I am actually holding my rx (prescription) for a hair prosthesis, which I am guessing is a medical term for "wig."

That's a little bit funny to me, a prosthesis. I usually don't associate a bunch of synthetic hair all sewn to a form fitting cap a prosthesis, but I understand COMPLETELY why it's called that, of course it's a prosthesis. Along those lines, acrylic nails would be .............nail prosthesis.....hahaha......they may fall off I wonder if I need a rx for that too!

Today's three appointments were 1) genetics counselor 2) chemo class 3) breast surgeon. I'm 2/3 of the way done at this exact moment in time. I felt good about the genetics testing and even better that my insurance company has approved the testing. I want to know if I have the gene I think that will be helpful to my family and extended family. She told me that 10 years down the road if I carry the gene and a child of mine carried the gene, they could do egg selection to a non carrying gene. If I can do that for my kids I'm all for it. I guess they feel like it's a double edged sword. If you carry the gene realistically you are looking at some more possible surgeries. If you don't then she said that people get mad that they don't know why they had cancer. I don't know, I don't think (today) that I will feel this way at all. It's a simple blood test and they will take it right before my first chemo (10/27).

The second appointment was the chemo class. Let me tell you, talk about a fun class and educational, get a lot for your money...........:) It was helpful and they sure laid out everything for you. We went over the pre, during, and post items that will make chemo a breeze.

(Since the port was supposed to be a breeze and it was NOT even close to a breeze-still isn't-I am thinking I am a little leery of this "breeze" word. Don't get me wrong, I'm not going negative attitude on you, I'm just hedging my bets and let me be pleasantly surprised if it is a "breeze")

I had five rx's to fill when I was done and several OTC products to get. I really love the nurse practitioner, (she's a survivor) quite liberal and funny. She said she doesn't have time for pity parties, I made a mental note not to invite her to mine.

Since some of the followers on this blog are actual cancer patients, I will be more specific with details, those of you who aren't interested, skip down a few paragraphs. I got a lidocane cream for the skin for the needle that goes through the skin ( awesome more port fun) to help not make it hurt. I have medications for my stomach-Emend, Decadron, Nexium and copamzine (to prevent vomiting) and I already told you about the rx for the wig. Then the otc products include vitamin B-6, LGlutimine and claritin. Isn't that funny, they have found that when they give me the booster shot (neutropenia) after the chemo that there is bone pain, but the claritin helps to block the pain better than pain medication without inhibiting the chemo. (Need a complain moment-this port is just driving me crazy, it is hurt hurting right now) so I get to clear up my allergies (that I left in Dallas 4 years ago) and have less pain.

Miss No Pity Party did allow me one pajama day, she said usually day 3-4 would be that day and I could hang out that day but that day only! She said to get my butt up and walk around, the more I walk the better things move around.

Highlight, I can eat whatever I want :) of course for the first time in my life I have little appetite.

I am now waiting for my follow up with the breast surgeon. I was supposed to come tomorrow but she had a family emergency, so they moved me to today.

Then Monday I have a bone density test and an appointment at the Image Recovery Center. That's where I fill the rx for the hair prosthesis and they have massages and acupuncture and everything one could possibly need for breast cancer. I am so glad to have found the one stop shopping.

This was a bummer to me, no more cruise massages, or couples massages, no more massages unless they are trained in the lymph node missing massage technique. I can give myself lymphadenopathy (if that is the correct word I am not 100% sure) have a huge arm for the rest of my life. Ok, I admit, not really a choice there, but it made me sad, I really love massages. I guess I'll have facials from now on instead. Although I haven't had many massages since the dura drama a few years ago.

I'm a little nervous, remember the nurse who let me have it regarding using my arm and having swelling, etc. Well, last week they canceled my appointment for the lovely port insertion and it had already been 2 1/2 weeks, so (shhhhh) I took out the stitches myself. I'm anticipating a lecture again. Since that was my Dad's preferred parenting technique, I really don't care for lectures, and I'm getting a little nervous.

I had some really funny stories and for the life of me I can't remember any of them right now. I guess my brain is taking a break after such an intensive morning.

I got called and I did receive quite the lecture about removing the stitches myself. She also spotted a freckle on my palm during surgery. I have been monitoring it for several years now and I have another one forming on my left palm, so she wanted me to let the oncologist know and she wanted me to have a dermatologist check it out. Before you think "that's not good" I already know that, they have been watching it. I looked good when I had the tan from the tanning bed, I am guessing that will come back to haunt me.

I guess I need to go be a Mom, and stop being a patient, so I'm off for the night.