Four Month Check Up

Last week I had my four month check up (post-chemo) and it went well. My blood work is showing normal-low readings! I had my hormones checked and I am now in menopause, no doubt. Also had a chest x-ray b/c my back, between my angel-wing bone and spine (near my lungs) was cramping really bad. I was up pretty much all night the night before my appointment. It hurt to take a deep breath. I started getting these weird random cramp attacks mid-way through my chemo. They usually lasted an hour or so but this one would not stop. Dr. Polikoff suggested I go in for a massage. Didn't have to twist my arm. . . smile.  When Jeff was driving me home from the appointment, I sneezed which caused even more pain in my back. So, I went to ZenSpa (Thank you to all the SDPD ladies who gave me the gift certificate!!!!!) and had a full-body massage. Yoyo really worked out the knot in my back. Although it still hurt to take a deep breath, I was feeling much better. I could move my head from side to side and I could lift my right arm. So, Huge Success at ZenSpa! Oh, my doctor also ordered a DVT test, and ruled out a blood clot. He's so thorough!


I've not heard back from my Dr. regarding the chest x-ray but I think, in this case, no news is really good news. :-)

I'll see my doctor again in 4 months. He said he normally does not order lab work for every appointment. . . I found that odd. But you know me, I will insist. For sure. I might change my Oncologist, so I don't have to drive all the way to San Marco. The commute sucks and that’s the only reason why I’d change doctors.

So, I finally had the courage to ask my doctor what my chances are for recurrence. Back in July, 2009, he asked if I wanted "numbers", in a “used car salesman” kind of way, I instantly said NO! I wasn’t ready. Here are the numbers: I was at 50% chance of recurrence prior to Chemo and now I've cut my odds in half. I have a 25% chance for recurrence. I’d be happier if my chances were zero percent but I’ll take 25% over 50% any day! I’m grateful!

My hair is continuing to grow! Can’t wait to pull it back into a pony-tail! Maybe the end of summer I’ll have the length to do that!

A friend of mine is having surgery tomorrow. Please send healing thoughts to Marsi!

By banishing doubt and thinking in no-limit ways, you clear a space for the power of intention to flow through. The power of intention is so deficient of doubt that when you’re connected to it you see what you’d like to have as already being present. ~Dr. Wayne Dyer

Click on the title "Four Month Check Up" to see what The New York Times has created. It’s a cool and inspiring place for survivors to post their picture and share their story - Picture Your Life After Cancer: Kudos to The New York Times! I’ve not posted a picture yet but I will. I just need to find a good Milk Dud Warrior picture.