'ello everyone. My aunt Judy sent me an email link to another woman's blog who is also dealing with cancer and just finished her 2nd round of chemo. I was amazed by her sense of humor and honesty and if you're interested it it, you can find it here (check out the name of this link!): http://www.puttingonmybiggirlpanties.com/ I think I've said that to myself, particularly when facing the first time of going in for chemo - Time to pull on my big girl panties and get 'er done.
Today was my first appointment with the geneticist. They said a lot of big words all jumbled together. I wished Brian was at that appointment with me so he could dumb it down a lil' bit, but I think I caught the gist. My main two goals are: 1. Figure out whether I have a gene issue or an immunity issue that's caused two/three cancers already at a young age 2. Figure out whether I am able to take hormone replacements without causing significant increases in my chances or reoccurrence of cancer. I met with a genetics counselor and a genetics doctor. I'm not sure exactly what the genetics counselor role is but she seems to be the go-between for the most part.
We discussed first my family tree and any incidences of cancer that we knew and also my own history of papillary carcinoma (thyroid), endometrioid ovarian cancer (a specific more rare type of ovarian cancer), and the pre-cancerous cells found on my cervix. We automatically dismissed the cervix cancer since that is hugely attributed to factors outside of genetics. The next step was to see if we could draw any genetic relations between the thyroid and ovarian cancers. Though we only have information for one side (the maternal side) of my family, they think it is unlikely that I have the BRCA-1 or BRCA-2 gene, which links ovarian cancer with breast cancer and is common amongst women who have ovarian cancer. Their main reasons for dismissing this initially (we may follow up on it later on after trying one or two other things first) is due to the particular type of ovarian cancer I have, because there are no incidences of breast cancer in my family, and I have no other "side-effects" typically caused by this gene like large amounts of skin tags (they said hundreds in one area.) They then looked at whether there are any other genes that link my type of ovarian cancer and thyroid cancer and came up with the P-ten gene, also known as Cowden's. My next step is to go in early next week for some blood tests and then they'll let me know within 40 days whether I am positive for Cowden's. If it is negative, we will most likely attempt the BRCA-1 and BRCA-2 testing next.
The geneticist also would like me to continue searching for information related to my dad's side of the family. This has been a stumbling block for a number of years now. My biological father's name is Richard (Toby) Jones, but try doing a google search on that one - there's 1,700,000+ results for Vancouver, WA with that name. I have asked my aunts to follow up with their high school friends (my mom and dad attended high school together with my aunts and uncle, so had similar friends throughout the years) but so far, the main connection has remained elusive. I will continue to bug my aunt Joan (are you reading this Joan?!) about seeing if we can get connection through her ex-husband, Brent. Vancouver can't be that big, right? I had been trying to reestablish a relationship with my dad previous to all this cancer talk, but now it makes it even more important.
My foster-mom's mom (so foster-grandma) passed away last weekend, so I went to the memorial service yesterday. There was something really lovely (maybe I am meant to be a farmer!) about taking a handful of dirt into my hand and slowly pouring it into the grave to bury the ashes. I really liked the symbolism of how we all are a cycle of life and nature.
And in a completely different vein, I have to mention something that's been bugging me. I've had a big surgery and have been undergoing chemo. I'm not dying, I'm not really even "sick." I have had a lengthy recovery time, first for the surgery, second for my mental health and now third because of fear of catching germs and sickness from others. I have been catching little glimpses from people, mostly co-workers, who are wondering how I could possibly be out of work for so long and have such a nice tan. OK, I admit it would look much better if I were a nice pasty white-green color, something much more sickly and pale. But this experience and tan hasn't exactly been a walk in the park. I do feel much better and I do have a lot of strength and I do sometimes enjoy my time outside watching nature, playing with the animals, and doing some chores. I am enjoying life as much as I can, as we all should. Yeah, you should be jealous of my tan - it's the best one I've ever had. But trust me, you don't want a tan like this for the same price I've had to pay. My doctors have told me to stay out of the sun, particularly because of the burning effect of chemo - but damn! It's 90 degrees outside and I live on a farm. How exactly does one stay out of the sun in such circumstances?
We've updated my mohawk recently. I'll take some pics after styling and post them. I'm starting to lose my other hair too. I haven't had to shave my legs or pits in weeks. It's great. But now I'm losing my eyelashes and my eyebrows too. Damn, I should've flunked art in kindergarden - do they really think I can draw on a semi-arched eyebrow!? On the bright side, the mustache and beard effects of menopause are completely gone for the time-being! Damn, I'm a sexy beast. LOL
So what are my needs at the moment? I'm doing pretty good. I love the influx of scarves. I need to learn how to draw on some eyebrows and how to apply makeup to my "new head." I'm digging the gypsy bohemoth look of the tied back scarf and big hoop earrings. I need to redefine my sexiness. It's hard to find oneself attractive as a bald hairless slug of a being, but I think it's possible. I just need help figuring out how to make myself look the best I can. The trimming of my mohawk helped quite a bit.
Loves to you all and feedback welcome as always. XO
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I love that head wrap. Boy, is that stylish. It looks so good on you. It sure is cute.
ReplyDeleteI was out in the 100 degree sun today feeding Sammi balls at 5:00 p.m. so I really relate to the hot weather. I try to totally avoid the sun too. The kids play soccer in this stuff though so I guess I had better tough it out. Many people down here use umbrellas to shelter themselves from the sun. I tell them that in the PNW, they'd look dorky, but down here, it is pretty normal.
See you,
Miss Judy