Mid Week update

Met with my gynological/oncological surgeon today. Haven't had a recheck with her in a year now! She's outside the Kaiser system and I was referred to her because of my unique situation and she's the top in her field. She knows my history from the beginning, and since my Kaiser oncologist retired in March and my OHSU oncologist moved to Canada, it's important for me to be able to check in with someone that has been there from the onset. She's a great patient advocate and very proactive and is known by other patients and medical staff as "The Bulldog". But I love that about her. She pulls no punches and says it like it is and is very up front and frank with you. She always makes me feel grounded. I really value her opinion.

Anyways, my followup went well. She did a pap and internal and she said everything felt smooth and normal. She said I look great and that she's not worried about the slight increase in my CA125. I mentioned my concern about weight gain and she said it was important. That it's a protective barrier. That I need those reserves to draw from if I get sick. So that made me feel a little better about myself. She also agreed with everything my new oncologist has done and her approach. She also set my mind at ease about my Cobra insurance running out and staying with Kaiser afterwards. That I'm getting really expensive treatment for not a lot. It could be so much worse. And that I'm still here, which says alot. That they must be doing something right. She also agrees with staying on a chemo regimine if it means keeping the cancer at bay and buying more time. It's just so old and I'm so tired of it, but I can't agrue with that ya know? I've tried so many different things and I've gotta go with what works.

Since I was at the hospital anyways, I went to my Making Today Count Women With Metastatic Cancer Support Group for the firs time in a long time. After several beloved women died, I couldn't bring myself to go. It was good to see some familiar faces and to check in with everyone. It's a hard thing to do. To go to those meetings. To see some of the women deteriorating before your eyes. To hear some of them have 6-12 months to live. It sure puts a lot of things in perspective and it makes me feel very grateful for my situation. It could always be so much worse. I'm thankful I can do all that I do and feel pretty good doing it, considering. I really am fortunate. Considering. Ya know? I don't look like a cancer patient. I have my hair. I'm nice and round. :) I can walk unassisted. Gotta admit, I've got it good compared to a lot of them. Gotta remember that!

Ok, to move on to soccer update....

Spencer's 8th grade Catlin Gabel team beat Trinity Lutheran on Tuesday 6-0 and so they advance in the playoffs and play Thurs. @ Riverdale Elem/Middle School at 415pm. If they win then (tough matchup!) they will play in the championship game on Monday. Go Blue!!!!

Spencer has a league game tonight with his U14 Modoc's soccer team. And then he has 2 games on Saturday and Kaelin has a game too.

I'm excited about plans in the works for a high school and college friends reunion in the works! Probably a Kentwood group in mid December in Washington and then a UCLA group in San Francisco in late January! :) Email me if you're interested in joining in! I joked to a friend that I felt like it was my "Farewell Tour." He set me straight. I should know better than to say those things out loud! ;)

Glorious day here in the Pacific NW! 70 degrees. Clear. Sunny. Beautiful fall colors. Perfect!!!!

Hope you all have a glorious week! Enjoy the beauty of fall!!!!

xoxox
Shauna