Another week done. I received a call with a possible surgery date last Friday but haven't shared as it was not set in stone. Wednesday the 19th at Rockyview- soon which is superb in terms of getting at the tumour ASAP. That will include a full bilaterial masectomy and lymph biopsy/surgery - reconstruction surgery would be later. My surgeon is still working on a (very slim) possibility of doing both at once this month but there are some complicated factors as well as logistical considerations to navigate. Mostly likely I'll be going in this Tuesday for node marking and then the next day for the masectomy/node surgery. Remarkably, I would be out by Thursday, albeit to manage my wounds and drains on my own! Fries with that? type of drive-thru surgery these days!
In the midst of all of this cancer nonsense, I am also moving out of my condo this month. Yes, movers are booked for November 26 (possession date of buyer is Dec 1) to move the majority of my stuff into storage until my new condo in Currie Barracks is completed in the summer of 2015. I am moving in with a girlfriend of mine who has extra space in the interim, so my mind has not been able to wander to the "what ifs" of my health right now as I need to pack everything I own and sort into several categories: what goes in storage, what I need post-surgery (staying with mom and dad for that), what I need at my friend's place for next 7 months, what needs to be donated, what I need for Maui (assuming I still get to go in January depending on a lot). As many of you know, I am a spreadsheet girl - spreadsheets calm me down to control lots of things ;) You should see my spreadsheet for my move! Sortable columns, colour coding, all which may seem OCD but now that I will not be able to lift 5 lbs for several weeks, will have to "move out" by Tuesday, and maybe not be able to monitor the move, this spreadsheet is truly of major value :) Mom and I have been sorting/packing every chance we have, which has been tiring but mentally a good thing to focus on during the wait/wait/wait phase.
My leukemia docs, including those in NY, have been updated on everything as well, and after surgery will be ready and waiting to assist the breast oncology team post-surgery to navigate what if any chemo I can tolerate if that's required. I'm not thinking about that as have to get through surgery first, but at least I know my treatment team will be collaborating with those that know me so well. That, combined with a certainty of a good surgical team, and the hundreds of wishes, notes, texts, messages etc. from so many people, has allowed me to move into a zone of strength to fight. It's an oddly familiar feeling, having been there too many times before, the survival type of focus, and one that I hope will not be required once this chapter is done. But it is good to be in it rather than the quicksand feeling I had two weeks ago.
So thanks again to everyone for the constant amazing energy....if you can send a bunch to my surgeon (and some to me) on Wednesday that would be wonderful. Cheers.
