Back to "Real" Life-

I'm back from my vacation in Minnesota and Wisconsin, back to real life! Sigh. It was SO wonderful to be at a cabin in the Wisconsin north woods! My sister, brother, sister-in-law and their two adult children all went for a long weekend at a friend of my sister's cabin.

The place itself was pretty basic - actually partially under re-construction, but it filled our needs and had a great deck and view of a small lake. Jessica and Jason got fishing licenses and spent time catching (and mostly releasing) fish to all of our enjoyment. We mainly just "hung out". Everyone had a book or two to read while lounging on the deck, Ken, my brother built fires and we even made S'mores. Wow, are they sweet! but delish! The full moon bouncing off the calm lake water was beautiful! And I GOT TO SWIM IN THE LAKE!!!!!!! Yes! Another thing from my "list".

The rest of the week I was there I spent with my sister, Janel, who, as I've mentioned, is also going through cancer treatment. We compared notes a lot! This is so good to be able to do! By sharing stories I at least discovered how many "little" things that I experience, she has also. For example, I thought that the food aversions they warned about on chemo would be some big deal thing. I didn't realize that the smaller, "oh ick" feelings and blah, don't know what to eat stuff is part of the same deal. When you live alone, you don't find many opportunities to share the "small stuff" that goes on every day with chemo and cancer. I'll have some pictures soon, I hope!

Here's a picture of Janel wearing my purple wig - from her last visit here:
\
You can see how we were raised as twins as children - there's ony 18 months between us!

My niece and nephew were great to spend some time with too. They are such great people! I really relished having some time to just sit around and talk about "stuff" and get to know them as adults. Same for everyone, really. Everything was so relaxed and casual, it was just really special to have that time to get re-acquainted and bond a little! Thanks guys!

Now that I'm home, I'm stressing a bit about the PET/CT scan I'm having on Thursday. My Oncologist appointment is Sept 4th, when I'll find out the results, but just doing another PET scan gives me the willies. I cringe at the thought of being in that tube again! EWWWWIEEE!

We're hoping to find out that the changing colors/shades inside some of my tumors means that the cells are dying inside. They have not shrunk, but it would be a miracle if the chemo is killing the cells anyway! My Onc's assistant also confirmed that they really don't know for sure what kind of cancer I have. (I didn't think so!) She told me that perhaps IF the biggest one on my left side is still really active, that they might consider another biopsy. I think I would really like this! However, I also think that the asst. is much more enthusiastic about investigation than my actual Oncologist is. I could be wrong, but she was excited when I told her about Janel's triple-negative breast cancer and thought they might do some genetic testing. Dr. Dragovich didn't, however, apparently because it wouldn't affect my treatment in any case. Oh well. Another thing he probably takes more to heart is that my Medicaid probably would refuse to pay for it.

She did stress that I make sure to tell my other family members (especially my niece and nephew) to be diligent about their testing and preventative stuff, which I did while there. She said that a genetic link was awfully likely given that both JB and I have cancer so "young" (under 60yrs old). Gee! we're Young in the cancer world I guess.

I didn't get to see my therapist this week, bummer! But she was out ill. I'm not going to be able to see her until Sept 4th either - a LONG time since our last appt! I had to meet with the "pill person" this week too - the one who prescribes my anti-depressants. Turns out she's left the clinic I go to, so I had to tell my whole story to a new guy. He wants me to add a small amount of Zoloft to my Wellbutrin. He explained that it hits a different area and might help with my low feelings. We'll see.

Going back to work was hard. I felt so out of it, though by next week I'm sure I'll be feeling back in the swim. Just getting back into a routine is depressing. Thank god I love the people I work with! I'm even getting a raise next month - my three year anniversary! That just blows me away - It's been a year of cancer, three years of a job and two months in my new apt. Time flies!

Next I'm looking forward to spending Christmas with my daughter in Chicago. Handling snow and cold weather ought to be a trip! Last Xmas she was in LA so we had sun! She's talking about coming out here, maybe in October, which would be great - I can't afford more travel - both because of $$$ and keeping my job. I'd love it if she came out here, especially now that I have a place to live that is "decent' and air-conditioned!

Enough for now, I'm burnin' daylight!