Quickie Update
Well hello and suffice it to say that I haven't written in a while. Will be doing a trip to Memphis, Tennessee for work in a couple days. When I return, I am gonna get back on this cancer thing. I am supposed to have a second opinion regarding the chemotherapy with the leading breast cancer oncology expert at the University of San Antonio - Health Science Center. That hasn't happened yet, but I imagine she is a busy lady.
The puzzle before me is still somewhat of a jumbled mess and I don't even think I've got the borders done yet. Maybe that meeting will help me but I will be bringing an even longer list of questions to that consultation. I'm sure I will annoy the heck out of that doctor before I am done.
And it is probably time to check into some financial resources. I don't know how all that works and I have to see a clear and logical way to do whatever I choose to do, whether that would be clinical trials or whatever. It may involve something like a 5- to 6-month stay in Houston at M.D. Anderson and a leave of absence from work; but I will need to find about $10,000 to do that. And I have to be healthy enough (timing is everything) to travel with my daughter to Europe in July. That trip is mostly paid for with no way to recoup financially. She worked hard for six years to get her degree and I will not break a promise to her. Of course, should things get really serious for any reason, I will have to re-evaluate and hope that United Airlines will agree to make some changes for extreme circumstances. But while this is just an "insurance policy" decision and I have the choice, NO WAY.
But even with this hanging over my head, I want to let everyone know I am feeling pretty good physically and most days, mentally and emotionally strong. I appreciate the feedback I have gotten and interestingly enough, the yays and nays for chemo were about evenly split. Some of you said keep living and enjoying my life and play the odds (they're in my favor), while others suggested I should give myself the best odds by going at this as hard as possible to be on the safe side and maybe give myself the best statistical chance for the best outcome. Other friends said they wanted more info and to do their own research.
I appreciate your input and will consider everything ... that I can promise.
The puzzle before me is still somewhat of a jumbled mess and I don't even think I've got the borders done yet. Maybe that meeting will help me but I will be bringing an even longer list of questions to that consultation. I'm sure I will annoy the heck out of that doctor before I am done.
And it is probably time to check into some financial resources. I don't know how all that works and I have to see a clear and logical way to do whatever I choose to do, whether that would be clinical trials or whatever. It may involve something like a 5- to 6-month stay in Houston at M.D. Anderson and a leave of absence from work; but I will need to find about $10,000 to do that. And I have to be healthy enough (timing is everything) to travel with my daughter to Europe in July. That trip is mostly paid for with no way to recoup financially. She worked hard for six years to get her degree and I will not break a promise to her. Of course, should things get really serious for any reason, I will have to re-evaluate and hope that United Airlines will agree to make some changes for extreme circumstances. But while this is just an "insurance policy" decision and I have the choice, NO WAY.
But even with this hanging over my head, I want to let everyone know I am feeling pretty good physically and most days, mentally and emotionally strong. I appreciate the feedback I have gotten and interestingly enough, the yays and nays for chemo were about evenly split. Some of you said keep living and enjoying my life and play the odds (they're in my favor), while others suggested I should give myself the best odds by going at this as hard as possible to be on the safe side and maybe give myself the best statistical chance for the best outcome. Other friends said they wanted more info and to do their own research.
I appreciate your input and will consider everything ... that I can promise.
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