Countdown to Chemo

Chemo starts tomorrow - only 6 rounds left!  I realize that I am holding up 2 fingers, but didn't want to offend anyone by holding up the 1 finger I really wanted to use.  Please feel free to choose which ever of my digits you picture me holding up as I prepare to kick breast cancer to the curb!

It has been a crazy 6 weeks around here.  On May 9, I found a lump on my breast, above the implant used for reconstruction from a double mastectomy 11 years ago.  As I said in my first post, WTF??  The really good news, however, is that we caught the cancer at Stage 1, which means early detection wins again!  They removed all the cancer during surgery, and the upcoming treatment is purely preventative.  Woo hoo!

Since May, life has been a medical whirlwind.  Beginning on May 13 (my 49th birthday, btw), I have had:

• 6 oncology appointments
• 3 surgical appointments
• 1 plastic surgery consultation
• 2 sonograms
• 1 biopsy
• 1 mastectomy (which makes 3 for me - go figure.  Never thought my original software was big enough for even 1 mastectomy, much less 3!)
• 1 bone scan using a radioactive tracer
• 2 CT Scans
• 2 CT Scans with contrast
• 2 (40 gallon, I believe) containers of barium
• ? bottles of wine
• Countless blood draws
• Genetic testing
• 1 echocardiogram (yes, I do have a heart in there)
• 1 short haircut

And, most importantly...

165 pieces of mail.  165!!  I couldn't get them all in one picture, so here's a small sampling.  These beautiful cards, notes and photographs began filling my mailbox the day after my diagnosis - I'm not even sure how that happened!  I'm not sure how this shower of love notes began, but I do have a few suspicions.  This mail has been so uplifting, and it makes me smile every single day.  I have laughed out loud and been touched by each and every one of them.  I look through them often when I feel a little overwhelmed by all the medical details because I know that every single person that has reached out to me is with me in spirit as I battle this beast.  Additionally, I've received 3 bottles of wine, one hand-painted sand dollar heart, 3 beautiful flower arrangements,   countless delicious dinners brought by friends, and 1 handmade quilt. 

Let me just say, THANK YOU, from the bottom of my heart.  I am so blessed to have you all in my life, and together, we've got this.