My Adventures in Cancerland

Search This Blog

on September 19, 2006

Get link
Facebook
Twitter
Pinterest
Email
Other Apps

Swoon

Get link
Facebook
Twitter
Pinterest
Email
Other Apps

Comments

New Chemo

Along with my great Oncologist, there are two very important people without whom I could not do without: Nellie and Patty, the nurses in the Chemo Unit. These women are the most competent, caring and compassionate nurses I’ve encountered. They have a difficult job that on the surface seems relatively easy. To the untrained eye they might seem like overly-trained babysitters to anywhere between one to twelve chemo patients at one time. But in reality, this is a very stressful job that barely allows for bathroom or lunch breaks. Our lives and well-being are in their hands. Here is my process from the moment I enter the room. I walk in and someone will ask what recliner I’d like. I scan the room to see if I know anyone. If I don’t recognize anyone -- and here it gets dicey, since chemo brain has allowed for very embarrassing moments, where once seated I hear from across the room, “Hey, how are you doing? How did the last chemo go?” These words come out from, what a minute before

Breast in Show

On September 20th, 2006 I am scheduled to have a mastectomy on the right breast. Now don’t anyone fret. It’s a day I knew was coming and you know what? I am not worried. I am not sad. I have no particular feelings on the subject other than to state, once again, that this does not bother me. My lack of anxiety have disturbed others though. Like the subject of the hair (see earlier posts) the fact that I am losing a breast is deeply disturbing to some. That I am not upset about it, bothers them even more. Like my hair, my breasts do not make me feel more female. I’m glad they were given to me, but they are not necessary. They are not an arm, a leg or an eye. I don’t need them to walk or to write with, although that would be a pretty funny sight. I can hear perfectly fine with or without them. They don’t help me to think, even though some would credit them with helping others not to think. I am not breast-feeding anyone – that I am aware of – an d I don’t use them to do any h

Notice

NOTE: I’ve decided to post currents events first in an effort to keep everyone more up to date. I will also enter past events in the interim, to keep a proper timeline going. Please be patient, since I am a very slow typist and apparently have fallen behind, rather quickly. I appreciate your patience during this process. Thank you. Alp

Powered by Blogger

Comments

Post a Comment