The Calm Before the Storm

I've been quiet for a few weeks, as I took a break from having cancer. Not literally of course, but it felt good to go back to a somewhat normal life. Bobby, Stella and I spent a week in Cape Charles VA where we relaxed at my happy place - the Eastern Shore of the Chesapeake Bay. The only problem with such a great week was the huge dose of reality that hit me when we returned.

This week has been tough mentally. I have had Dr. appointments every day, to prepare for Season 2 and 3 of my cancer mini series. Next week is my surgery, and 4 weeks later I will begin radiation for 4 weeks, every day.

This week feels like it did back in April, when everything was happening so fast. But this time, I have already been at this for almost five months, and I am tired. Yes - physically tired because my hemoglobin is so low, but feeling mentally tired that although the worst (chemo) is over, I still have a long road ahead of me. I am writing this from the Cancer Center in Kennett, while having my every-3-week infusion (til May) of Herceptin and Perjeta. It is not nearly as bad as my previous treatments without the Taxotere, but it is a vivid reminder that I am still in a battle.

So I am going to focus on the fun times last week in my happy place, and leave the next steps to my amazing team of Docs. Please keep me and my surgeons in your prayers on Thursday 8/25. Hopefully they find no cancer left, and I get the coveted "PCR" outcome: Pathologic Complete Response.