Why is it that we — or at least I do — get introspective at the year’s end? After all, we’ll all wake up tomorrow with the same issues, the same joys, the same disappointments, the same life we have today.

And yet… as Princess Leia said when she received the plans to the Death Star, there is Hope.

This counting of days and time that we renew every 365 days or so is a chance for us to “start over,” as it were, to renew our commitment to various life goals and keep ourselves on track. Whether you make resolutions or not, most of us note that a new year can signal change.

For the last several days, I’ve been searching the internet for some motivation and after a lot of contemplation, I’m going back to the “something new” plan for the year. Did several new things in 2023 — got certified to teach Level I and II Mat Pilates, took a glass blowing class, took on a new role at work — but nothing really planned. So, getting back on track with it in 2024.

This time, though, instead of just picking a new experience or event, I’m going to set a theme for every month and focus on doing something “new” related to that theme.

Toward that end, the focus for January is Health Maybe you’ve heard of Hard 75? That’s a little too much for me, so I’m doing Moderately Difficult 30 beginning January 2. I’ll stick with a low-carb diet strategy, which in the end is always what works best for me. I’ll exercise at least 5 days a week. While I’m not a big fan of self-improvement books, I will find one and read it in January. I’ll also do a before and after photo thing, but no guarantee that it will be shared. Ha!

Why am I doing this? Two years to retirement, baby, and I want to have adventures when I no longer have to report to an office every day. To have those adventures, I need to be as healthy as possible. Bought my lifetime pass to the National Parks, and I want to visit a bunch of them. Need to get back to the Caribbean for a visit or two, and so many other places I’d like to see and enjoy.

So, if you want to join me on the Moderately Difficult 30 journey, come up with similar plan to improve your health and let’s do this together. It doesn’t have to be the same as what I’m doing, but pick something that would be a moderate challenge for yourself and get after it!

Baking Season is officially over, just as soon as I finish the gingerbread with lemon sauce. Happy New Year!

July, August, September, October… four whole months of normalcy and back on track with the New Things plan. Life is good! In July, I met up with my friend, Kathleen, at Perdido Beach, Alabama, for a couple of quick days of visiting and catching up. Never been to Perdido Beach, so that was new. We had a great visit, mostly while we put together puzzles, ate some lovely seafood and just enjoyed being together.

August brought lots of new changes, including to my job. Not that a change in my job is anything new; the most important line in my job description is “other duties as assigned.” Ha! Luckily, I thrive on change so all is well. My fun thing for the month was a trip with my friend, Shelly, to see Lyle Lovett and his Large Band at the Beau Rivage. Had always wondered how Lyle wound up with Julia Roberts for a while, but after that concert I get it: he’s just absolutely charming! Well, on stage, anyway. We didn’t meet him or anything. We were witness to some “out there” couple who sat near us for a while then said they were going to get on the stage, and they almost did! Great music, great band, wonderful venue. If you ever get the chance to see Lyle, I highly recommend taking it.

September’s planned “thing” was moved to October 1, but I’m claiming it for September. Cheryl (yet another friend; yes, I’m blessed with many!) and I went down to NOLA and visited the immersive Van Gogh exhibit. Loved it! Go if you get a chance. I’ve been a big Van Gogh fan since my freshman year in college, when I took Art Appreciation. The room toward the end of the exhibit where they project the paintings all around you is so relaxing. I want that in my bedroom one day! The weekend was lovely, staying over in NOLA drinking win til the wee hours while a random party bus kept driving by, then breakfast with yet another friend (Del) and a friend of hers.

October has been quite busy! Had a checkup in Jackson and saw several friends there (I know, you’re tired of the names so I’ll stop), then we’ve had Homecoming festivities on campus. I volunteered to help at the golf tourney — perfect weather for that — and drove a drink cart for a little bit. That was new and fun. The following Monday we went back to the golf course for lunch following a leadership retreat on our campus, then had the opportunity to hit a few balls on the driving range. That was new, and it was fun. Can’t say that I was good, but I beat the hell out of an oak tree nearby. Ha!

On the health side of things, October also saw me complete a 5K for Breast Cancer, so I think I’m pretty much back to normal. I walked most of it, jogged a little, and was pretty sore the next day; that was the first time I’d tried anything other than walking. But it went away within a couple of days, so all is well. All in all, my knees are not a fan of jogging, so that’s not in my long-term health plan. Just wanted to see if I could do it. Heading back to Jackson next month to get my port out; will be glad to get that done. All my follow-up visits have gone beautifully. My docs are very pleased, as am I.

The quest for new experiences continues, and as my stamina builds and my leave time returns don’t be surprised if I turn up on your doorstep to drag you on an adventure with me. Onward and upward with enjoying life again!

Done! What a lovely word, uttered at the end of an achievement or task. Done. No more treatments, beyond that pesky little pill I have to take for another four and a half years. But the hard part is DONE! Now I settle into a routine of checkups and just one more scheduled procedure, to get the port out. Hoping to get that done in October then full steam ahead!

Thursday was the last treatment, and it was a lovely day. Took some homemade treats to the staff at the clinic, rang the bell at the end, and then out to lunch with my friend at Half Shell. Had a lovely meal with an adult beverage followed by a relaxing massage Friday morning. I’ve just chilled this weekend, reading and watching TV. Spent a little time by the pool yesterday. Doing my best to just be normal again.

Now that the I am officially a cancer survivor, the plan is to continue focusing on getting healthier. I’m so much stronger now than I was in February when I started back with Pilates, but still have a way to go to fully get back my strength and stamina. Beyond that, I want to improve! Prior to getting sidetracked with cancer, I had made up my mind to focus on my health. While the path has been more circuitous than planned, the plan is still there. Should the economy cooperate, my plan is to retire when I turn 65, and I want to be as healthy as possible by then so I can enjoy my retirement. Adventure awaits!

It’s also time to get back to “new” things that don’t involve cancer treatment. Toward that end, I’ve got a quick trip planned in July, just a couple of hours away but somewhere I’ve never been with a friend I haven’t seen in a long time. Will be on the lookout for future newness, something that preferably doesn’t involve a hurricane, a pandemic, or cancer. Have had all of those experiences I could ever want!

Finally, one last thank you to all my family and friends who have stood by me this past year, to my co-workers who have always had my back and taken care of the hard stuff so I could heal, and to all the many health care providers who have had a hand in my treatment and recovery. A girl could not have a better support group. Thank you, God, for granting me peace throughout this process and for sending all these people into my life.

I am blessed.

Three times in the past month I’ve been reminded that it’s been a while since the last update: apologies. All is well; in fact, all is very well! Five infusion treatments to go then back to what will be “normal” for a while, more frequent mammograms and extended hormone therapy. All blood work looks great and my oncologist is extremely pleased with how things are going.

Had another milestone this past week: my first haircut since before the surgery in May! Not that there was that much to cut, but the hair does tend to come back in different lengths in different places, with a few more cowlicks and such. I have asked for a refund for all the treatment, however, because in spite of the promise of curly hair post chemo it’s coming back the same way it left, with just a touch more gray: straight, brown, and fine as frog’s hair. Ha! Happy as a clam to have it back, though.

Still having some fatigue issues from time to time, but I’m told that could last for a while. Have dealt with that for years, anyway, with the fibromyalgia so no big deal. You do what you can, when you can. I’m going back to Pilates class and adding in some other exercise whenever possible. My goal this year is to focus on getting healthier. As I told my doc the other day, I’m in the final third of my life (I fully expect to live at least to 90) and I want to enjoy every day of it for as long as I can

Beyond that, the quest for new adventures continues. Visited an alpaca farm in November, been to a couple of new restaurants, and booked for a wood crafts workshop the end of this week. Eating more healthfully, too, now that I can cook again.

My next “big” adventure is a trip to Columbus, Mississippi, in April for our 40th reunion at Mississippi University for Women! Always does my soul good to set foot on that beautiful campus again and to see so many friends. Will probably hang close to home the rest of the year and build up my sadly depleted leave time, but hope to get on the road and start traveling again in 2023. Have people to see, places to go, things to do!

Once again, please let me express my deep gratitude for everyone who called, sent cards or care packages, texted me, came to see me, covered for me at work, and generally took care of me, prayed for me, and kept my spirits up throughout the past year. My prayer for peace throughout the process was answered by God and through all of you. Thank you so very much.

A year ago I was getting ready for a week-long trip to celebrate turning 60. The trip was great, and I had such expectations for a fun year filled with new adventures! While it all started out that way, life took a big detour in April when I was diagnosed with breast cancer. On the plus side, I’m still here and ready to celebrate turning 61!

Still, it’s been a year full of new experiences: surgery, staph infection, chemotherapy, hospital stay, low potassium level, hair loss, infusion treatments, and so many more. Three treatments in for the infusions, though, and things are looking up. I’m slowly getting back to exercising, my brain is working through some of chemo fog, and best of all my hair is coming back! Too soon to tell what it will look like, but I have discarded head coverings at this point except when it’s chilly. My eyebrows and eyelashes are coming back, too, so that’s good. The most aggravating side effect right now is just fatigue. I understand that will likely hang on for a year or more, so doing my best to adjust and do as much as I can, when I can.

Speaking of which, had a great pre-birthday weekend! My friend, Nikki, came to visit, and we mostly giggled and acted like 16-year old girls, so it was a good time for us and random people standing near us when we were shopping. The best thing we saw was a sign at the Sharkheads, home of the Big Pink Shark, that said “Surely not everyone was kung fu fighting.” Hahahahhaa! We read that and laughed out loud for a good five minutes and kept laughing about it all night. We are easily amused.

As I head into this next year, I’m continuing my plan to do something new every month. Only this year I hope those “new” experiences aren’t mostly related to health care issues. If weather and energy levels cooperated, November’s experience will be a visit to an alpaca farm with a couple of friends. We all have November birthdays close together, so it should be fun way to celebrate!

I also plan to spend this coming year focusing on getting healthier and enjoying life. Words cannot express my gratitude for all the love and support and encouragement from my family and friends since the diagnosis. A mammogram in September showed no signs of cancer — as expected — but the treatments continue to make sure it stays that way. I am incredibly lucky that we found the cancer so early and to have had such wonderful health care providers. The situation could have been very different had I waited another six months or a year for that original mammogram.

Most of all, I thank God for granting me peace throughout this whole process. On the drive home the day of the diagnosis, that was my prayer: Lord, please grant me peace throughout this process. I am such a worry wart, and could have so easily driven myself crazy with all this. That prayer was answered almost immediately, and I really have been able to get through this with a minimum of worry. Not that it was easy, and not that I would wish this experience on anyone. But oh, it could have been so very much worse.

Thank you God, and thank you for letting me have another year of new experiences!

While napping through what I hope is my last chemo nausea this weekend, it hit me that this really is moving forward. It’s been a tough summer, frankly.

While I was prepared for nausea and fatigue, the staph infection wasn’t exactly in my plans. Then, about a month ago, the six weeks of antibiotics got together with all the chemo drugs and did a number on my digestive system that was equally unexpected. Yes, while my “new” experience in August was not actual pestilence as feared, it was highly unpleasant. Spent a week sicker than I think I’ve ever been, unable to move more than a few steps without being out of breath and losing almost 10 pounds in a week. Didn’t go to work, obviously, but did drag myself to chemo where they declared me dehydrated, gave me a bag of fluids, and sent me home with a potassium prescription. Apparently my level had dropped to 2.5, which I’m told is not good. But the fluids and the potassium did the trick, and the last three weeks of chemo were much less difficult than the weeks in the middle.

So Phase 2: Chemotherapy is over, and we now move on to Phase 3: Infusion Treatments. Actually, this is a fairly long phase — nine months — but I’m hoping it will go much more smoothly. Every three weeks I’ll have an infusion of two drugs: Herceptin and Perjeta. Actually they’re both monoclonal antibodies, so while there are side effects I’m hoping for nothing too severe. Regardless, I’ll have three weeks to recover in between, so I should get a good week or two every month, at least. So very ready to have some normalcy in my life again.

Also very ready to have some hair on my head again! Ha! I do not miss that I’ve not had to shave my legs all summer, but the hair on my head is missed, as are my eyebrows and eyelashes. We shall see how that all comes back. I’ve not gone completely bald, but the hair I have is very sparse. My guess is that it’s going to come back basically the same, maybe more grey. I’d love it to come back with a little curl, though 🙂

One lesson I hope I’ve learned as a result of all this is to not take my health for granted going forward. I can feel that the inactivity of this summer has taken a toll on my stamina, and at 60 I can’t afford to lose that. So, as soon as I’m cleared and able the work begins to gain and maintain a better state of overall health. My plan is to retire in a little more than four years, and when that time comes I want to be able to enjoy it! Travel is number one on my list, and with that I want to be able to walk and explore and enjoy new experiences, as long as I possibly can.

I don’t know what September’s “new” experience will be yet, but I’m not giving up! Maybe this is the month that I’ll finally win the Lottery. Guess I better buy a ticket…

These last few weeks have been both challenging and a blessing. Silly me, thinking I had this whole chemo thing figured out. But as of last Friday I’ve had my sixth of 12 weekly chemo treatments, so halfway home with this Phase 2 of treatment.

But first, a hiccup from Phase 1: surgery. Not sure how this all happened, but after my 5th treatment I had the normal nausea and fatigue reaction, which was quickly followed by a kidney stone! Joy of joys, as though there wasn’t enough going on. Luckily I’m used to them thanks to a previous medical situation, and they’re not too bad usually. But I had been looking forward to our summer break — a week off around the July 4th holiday — and saw that fall by the wayside. As soon as the kidney stone passed, I somehow contracted a staph infection in my left breast.

Yes, my new “thing” for July was a staph infection! I’m really on a roll: April was a Cancer diagnosis. May was breast surgery. June was chemo. And now July is staph infection. I am scared of the pestilence August and September hold. Ha!

Anyway, the staph infection was apparently quite the wench, and it landed me in the hospital for five days on intravenous antibiotics. That was fun! The trip to Jackson was tough, but was lucky enough that my friend Lynn and her husband were able to drive me to the surgeon and leave me there with a Frosty and a baked potato to get me through the first night. Kathy followed up with some snacks and company and I spent most of the next few days sleeping and trying to find a comfortable position.

I must give a shout out to the incredible nursing staff at Women’s Hospital in Jackson. They took such great care of me, and were sweet and helpful and kind, all of which are most appreciated in such a situation. One of the young nurses was a W grad, and we made that connection that W grads usually do: so welcome in times of crisis!

My dear former roommate Jo came through with a lift home when my time was up, complete with a tube dangling from my breast. If you’ve had breast surgery — or probably most any surgery — you’re familiar with the ubiquitous drainage tube. It is not pleasant. Necessary, yes. Pleasant, no. Took the rest of that week off from work, and after missing one week of chemo in the hospital had a reduced session to keep things going.

Finally went back to work last week, at least for two days. Wednesday was a mad dash to and from Jackson with my friend Karen to get the drainage tube removed that left me so tired I was nauseated and shaky by the time we got home. Chemo was back to normal last week, and the only thing that made it bearable was a visit from Tina, a retired nurse and truly an angel in disguise. She cleaned my house, left me with lots of yummy food, and generally kept me entertained and cared for over a long weekend visit. Unfortunately, the staph infection flared up a little after the chemo, but that seems to be on the wane again, thankfully. I’ve been back to work this week with a slightly abbreviated schedule, but glad to be up and about and at least semi-useful again.

Couple of quick observations about all this. First, I never imagined how boring and useless I would feel during this. All the things I like to do — reading, cross-stitching, sewing, working with my plants, Pilates — I can’t do, either because of fatigue or just chemo brain. Yes, chemo brain is a real thing. Focus is incredibly difficult, and I’m saving mine for those hours when I can work. It seems easier to focus there than at home, so being productive for those six or eight hours a day is really good for my mental health. This is making me re-think how I plan to spend my time in retirement.

Second, and most important, I continue to be humbled and touched at just how blessed I am. Your calls, text messages, Facebook posts, care packages, cards, prayers, and words of comfort are so very appreciated. The people who’ve given up days out of their schedule to take me back and forth to Jackson or to visit have truly been a gift. As a single woman, never married, no kids, I sometimes feel a little sorry for myself because I’m all alone. This experience has made me realize as I don’t think I ever could have otherwise that I am not alone. The realization that I am blessed with such a loving and caring group of friends is truly worth every bit of pain, discomfort, and sickness this causes. You are all so very special to me, and as a true Southern girl should I do hope to get Thank You notes written someday when my brain begins to function again.

Until then, I’m halfway home through Phase 2, the 12-week regimen of weekly chemo. If all goes according to plan, this one will end around Labor Day, then we move to Phase 3: Chemo every three weeks for another nine months. That phase should remove my nemesis drug, Taxol, so I’m hoping to start feeling better shortly thereafter. And maybe get my hair back. For now, I leave you with the picture of my angel friend Tina and myself. I’m the one who looks like Linus Van Pelt 🙂

Apparently, it takes a village to get through cancer treatment, just as it does to raise a child. I am so thankful to have such a wonderful village surrounding me! Whether you are near and have seen me or talked with me or far away and have encouraged through cards, letters, numerous care packages, or phone calls, you’ve all been a part of my village and I am so very, very blessed. Thank you!

So, here’s a little update on how things stand as we are a third of the way through this first 12-week block of treatment. My new thing for June is, obviously, chemotherapy. Woo-hoo! Is there no end to what I’ll do to have a new experience? Anyway, the first couple of weeks were fine; a little nausea here and there, but that was it. Not the case for week three. Not sure what happened, but the nausea took hold on Sunday last, a couple of days after the infusion, and I was miserable! Normally I have a cast iron stomach, and that has led me to scoff in the past at people with nausea. “How bad could it be?” I foolishly thought. The answer is pretty damn bad.

I couldn’t get comfortable couldn’t sleep, couldn’t eat, couldn’t not eat, never threw up but had frequent elimination through another orifice. Really, it was just miserable. I tried to tough it out, but finally called to get stronger meds, but a mix up between the doc’s office and the pharmacy left me stranded an extra night without the meds, so it was Tuesday before I had any relief. By that time I was just exhausted. Pregnant moms, don’t know how you do it! Lord, I would have been a basket case. Ha!

Anyway, went to work for a while Wednesday but just was too tired to function. Worked all day Thursday, though, and by Friday was hale and ready to go forth with treatment #4, which went swimmingly.

Also spend the week dealing with ever-increasing hair loss. I knew it was coming, but when it hits it’s still not pleasant. Anyway, I bit the bullet yesterday and had a little hair-cutting party. My friend Karen borrowed a set of clippers and my friend Colleen came over to “do the deed” and relieve me of most of my hair. She did a great job, and Karen gave wonderful moral support. It’s a good thing we did it, too; last night’s bath saw another significant hair loss, and without the trim that would have been a much bigger mess!

Took a little walk this morning and did my Saturday morning cleaning, fueled by the remains of the steroid from treatment yesterday. Now it’s time to nap and rest it out. Taking the meds and praying the nausea stays at bay this week. All in all, everything is going well and I continue to be both lucky and blessed throughout this process.

Enjoy the pics! I look forward to having real hair again sometime next year 🙂

Two weeks post-op and all is well! Preparing for surgery was easy: don’t eat after midnight and shower with some antiseptic body wash, which was no big deal. Checked into the hospital at 8 a.m., as requested, but it was closer to 2:30 p.m. before I actually left the room to head to the operating room. My friend, Kathy, bless her heart, hung with me all day and was there when they brought me back so she could report to Mom and others that all went well.

Surgery was “textbook” according to my brilliant surgeon, Dr. Ley. They removed the lump itself, which was a little larger than we thought going in, and took six nodes to test. I opted to go with Intraoperative Radiation Therapy, so they zapped my boobie while I was in there, too. That zapping of the boobie was possible because I fit the appropriate criteria, and it saves me four to six weeks of daily radiation therapy down the line. I was THRILLED to have that option! Once the zapping was complete, they stitched me up, made the “adjustment” to the right boobie so it would match the left, then put in the port for chemotherapy. Lots of cutting and stitching and stuff, but it’s done now and on to recovery!

First checkup was great, nodes were all NEGATIVE, which was the best news, and I was cleared to drive. Came home and frankly, I overdid a little that first couple of days, so I laid around over the weekend. Went back to Jackson for a second checkup earlier this week, and got another thumbs up and don’t have to return to him for another four moths. Yay! A HUGE thank you to Kathy, who let me stay and provided food and sustenance for the first week after surgery and the subsequent checkup, and was such an enormous help. I could not have done this without you!

Next stop was an information and education session with the Cancer Center here on the Coast, where my oncologist, Dr. Washington, and her team will handle the treatment. Everyone so far — both in Jackson and here on the Coast — has been professional, helpful, and a pleasure to deal with. That’s certainly made what is a disconcerting experience (to say the least) much easier to navigate.

Next up is chemotherapy, of course. I have another appointment next week, and we’ll set a start date then and move forward with treatment. Ready to get this going and get it done!

I realize that I’ve been extremely lucky and blessed throughout this process. So many people — family, friends, and others — have been so helpful and thoughtful. It’s humbling when you’ve lived alone your entire adult life to realize that people really do think of you and worry about you. I’ve gotten a personalized cancer care package from Pam, lovely flowers from my cousin and her husband, a bundle of books from another cousin, and so many visits, cards and messages and calls. You’ve all touched my heart!

Of course, the biggest adjustment has been the change to the boobies. I was one of those girls who was visited early by the Boob Fairy. I think had a training bra for about a month or so between third and fourth grade, then was in a full C or D cup by the sixth grade. They came in so fast, I had pre-teen stretch marks and they’ve always been a big part of me, pardon the pun.

My first inclination was to just have the lumpectomy. In my mind, with the lump being so small they would just take a little more than they did in the biopsy and all would be well. When it was made clear to me that what they had to take was much more, I went ahead and took the the “matching set” option, and I’m so glad that I did. The mismatch of what I had before and what I have now would have been, well, pretty ridiculous!

So, I had a moment with my old boobies the morning before the surgery. I thanked them for their service, and told the parts that were leaving that I would miss them. The part that has remained has been reshaped, lifted, and put into a smaller package. I’m still getting used to them, of course; the stitches need to heal and all that good stuff. I’m surprised at how they continue to hurt; didn’t expect the pain to last this long. Oh, it’s not rolling around on the floor praying for relief pain, just a constant ache and a need to sit laid back, at an angle, to keep gravity from doing it’s thing on the stitches. One of the few times I really wish I had a recliner! HA!

The worst part is I have to sleep on my back, and that is not my preferred sleeping position. Lifelong solid side sleeper, here, and I miss it! But that will return, in time. And let’s face it: if the worst side effect from cancer surgery is temporary sleeping discomfort, I am indeed blessed.

Heading back to work Tuesday, and we’ll see how that goes. Once chemo starts I plan to take off on Friday each week and have treatment that day with the weekend to recover before I head back to work. I know chemotherapy affects every person differently, and I’m hopeful my body handles the treatment well. While I fully expect to lose my hair, I’d rather not lose my lunch a lot. Yuk!

Prayers and continued good wishes are much appreciated. I really am at peace with all of this. Within the first couple of days after the diagnosis, I was saying my prayers and was granted peace. This is all going to be okay, and I really am not fretting or worrying about it. Oh, the summer will not be what I had hoped or planned as we came out of the pandemic, but there’s always next year.

Thanks to the surgery and the treatments and most importantly the prayers of so many for God’s grace, I have another year to look forward to, and that is pretty awesome.

Surgery is tomorrow. It’s been a whirlwind these last few weeks, getting things together, talking to doctors and nurses and random hospital employees to get things set up. I think I’ve said “I have cancer” about a million times, and still not sure it’s totally sunk in. The things is… I feel fine! Really, I do. It’s so hard to wrap my mind around the idea that I have to put myself through losing my hair and months of chemo because of a tiny tumor the size of a pencil eraser. But, as the song says, Whoops! There it is!

Speaking of the hair, I did a thing earlier this week. Cut all my hair off! Yep, if chemo is going to make it all fall out, I would rather just have wisps falling out than shoulder length locks. Well, it’s not like I had luxurious locks; let’s be real. But I’ve had some variation of the same hairstyle for many, many years and I’ve become attached. No more! Pictures are below. Big shout out to one of my office peeps, Colleen, who went with me to make sure I didn’t have a panic attack and stood menacingly behind the stylist while she cut to make sure she did a good job. And flashed thumbs up signs at me throughout to keep me from sobbing hysterically. Ha! In the end, the stylist did a great job on the cut and I’m getting used to short hair. And in the end, it’s just hair, right? It’s a renewable resource and it will grow back.

This morning was spent in a cleaning frenzy to make sure the apartment is going to be care free when I get back. Put some mushroom tarts in the freezer for later, and just some discs of dough I can fill with goat cheese or something similar. Watered all the plants, and I’m praying my little herb garden hangs in there. Picked up plenty of books at the school Library before I left work Wednesday, so hoping that’s all the bases covered.

Not sure what kind of drugs they’ll send me home with tomorrow, but as soon as I come down off them enough to write an complete sentence I’ll check in on Facebook. Very happy that I’m going to be able — if all goes according to plan — to get the radiation portion of my treatment out of the way during surgery tomorrow. We’re doing IORT (look it up, if you want; very interesting) along with the lumpectomy and getting the port installed for chemo. We’re also going to go ahead and do a little breast reduction, just so the “girls” will match post-lumpectomy. Really don’t want to walk around, listing to one side, with mismatched boobies. Ha! So I got that going for me: I may have cancer, but I’ll be 60 years old with 40 year old boobs 🙂

I am blessed to be able to spend my first week of convalesce with my dear friend, Kathy. You know you have a real friend when she gives you her guest room for a week and you won’t even be able to cook or be particularly pleasant company. Please pray for her; I live alone for a reason. Ha!

So, gentle reader, please keep me in your prayers tomorrow, if you are so inclined. I trust my doctors and all my health care team, but I trust God a whole lot more.

In order below: Before, during, and after the big cut!