aLive @ Stage 4!

It's still dark outside when my alarm clock sounds at 4:00am.  It's earlier than I usually awaken, but in order to fit as many appointments in one day as possible, these days start early.  I try to fit as many appointments in one day as possible so as to use as little leave at work as I can.  Today I was lucky enough to have been able to schedule five appointments, which is unusual.  I am completely exhausted, but must get up and be ready to leave the house at 5:00.  I packed my bag last night (snacks, phone charger, knitting project, ipad for books, games, puzzles), so after a quick shower and make-up, I'm ready.  No coffee or jewelry until after the CT scans.  My watch, wedding rings, and medical id bracelet are tucked safely in my bag, along with the necklace and earring set I usually wear to my medical appointments.  Yes, there is a specific set that I wear to every appointment.  I call it my armor.  It's a Touchstone Crystal by Swav...

I have quite a few new readers of this blog, so I thought I would make an entry with a summary of my story to date. I was diagnosed at age 50 with Stage IV breast cancer.  Stage IV means that it has moved from the spot of origin to other organs.  Mine is in my left lung.  It's not lung cancer; it's breast cancer in my lung.  I had the misconception that I would have chemo, maybe radiation, maybe surgery, then get back to normal.  Boy, was I wrong.  I had seven rounds of chemo, the last one of which put me in the hospital for about four days.  That's when my oncologist and my surgeon made the decision that surgery was the best option at that point.  My first CT scan after surgery showed No Evidence of Active Disease.  This means that whatever they can see in my lung, they're not sure what it is.  It could be scar tissue, it could be cancer, it could be really anything.  So, I have CT scans once every three months to monitor.  ...