Keep on moving

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.

Kindness and more clarity

It's hard to imagine last Thursday was only a week ago.  Feels like a month.  After what seemed like an eternity of waiting (thanks to all who assisted in my keep busy with normal stuff plan) I met some amazing kindness and more clarity at my appointment this morning.  I was in there for around 2 hours, which speaks to a process and approach that is one for the rest of health care to be enivious of. Mom and Tasha (friend and breast cancer alumnus) attended for support and to help retain the information.

I met a gentle, kind and intelligent surgeon Dr. Graham, who I now feel is a critical part of my new team.  Hard to describe, but despite his realistic role as a surgeon, the way he speaks and just is,  brings comfort to me.  After consideration and examination, we discussed options and risks, some of which are unique to me given my significantly complicated history and from having receivied extensive treatment for leukemia, I will move forward with a bi-lateral masectomy sometime in the next month, performed by Dr. Graham at the Rockyview hospital.  During surgery, they will test and if necessary remove sentinel lymphnodes.  I will also have reconstructive surgery, but whether it is done at the same time as the masectomy or later will be determined based on availability of plastic surgeons and timing options.  My primary focus is getting the cancer out soon - I was reassured however that unlike acute leukemia, breast cancer cells do not spread so quickly that waiting a month will change the plan or prognosis.

After that it all depends on the pathology report to know what stage, if it has spread and what next steps are suggested and/or available.  Another key part of my new team, my nurse navigator Edith, explained to me all the details involved with the surgery and a few dozen other things including all kinds of information and phone numbers I am able to call when I have questions over the next while.  She's also amazing.  I should hear within a week about a surgery date.

So more waiting...but unlike last week, I now feel very confident that along with my army of people providing love and support 24/7 (which I am so thankful for and truly feel the benefit of), I have a medical team who are totally capable, and really want to do whatever is possible to make this the last chapter of my cancer story so I can continue on with creating more life stories.   Thanks everyone.