Happy being independent! ;] So I seem to have this calendar theme going. “One week to the day”, “One month ago today”. Heh.

No, seriously. Happy 4th of July!! I hope this year proves to be a splendid one for all. I say “splendid” because to me, grand fireworks over your head are a sight and sound to behold. Nothing compares to that one experience you have only once a year.

So yes, one month ago today – June 4, 2009 – I was diagnosed with BING! IDC breast cancer (see other posts for more details). So much has happened in a month. I can barely keep up with it myself.

My mom was here 16 days. During that time of recovery (still am), we enjoyed the Denver Botanical Gardens and took a drive to the top of Mt. Evans (Denver’s closest 14,000 ft mountain), and strolled through rose gardens at Wash Park. During this time I am discovering that I have an appreciation for the simplest of things – take roses, for instance. They are immaculately beautiful, pristine, and unique in their own right. No two are alike. Each color brings their own scent. I appreciate these delicate differences. In my life right now, and for the 1st time in a long time I am actually stopping and smelling the roses – literally!

Mom at the Botanical Gardens. I’m diggin’ on the upside down flowers… in a tree no less.

So last week I met with a new Oncologist whom specializes in breast cancer. He was my “2nd opinion”. For various reasons I have decided to receive my upcoming treatments from him and his facility. Nothing against my original one. He too is a good man, a genius and I appreciated his promptness with my situation. The original one was a Dr. I visited in the past for my Hodgkin’s check up (although I was deemed “cured” by the medical community in 2002). That said, it seems more fitting to me to be treated in a facility that’s directly breast-cancer focused. I will be amongst “sistah’s”. Das right!

However my next appointment with new said dude isn’t until July 15th. Until then I am in a holding pattern – unaware of when my chemo will begin or exactly what treatment. There was a mention of “TC only” when visiting with the 1st Doctor (Taxotere/Cyclophosphamide). He actually called the new one and they discussed my case on the phone while I was in the office. Turns out the “A” in the “TAC” treatment (another option) would cause possible heart trouble – specifically Adriamycin. And thirdly, the clinical trial option I was presented would also cause the same risk with Avastin. Hence = “TC only”.

Why such a fuss about my heart? Apparently with my mantle radiation 17 years ago, my heart MIGHT’VE been affected. But there has been no evidence of such. In fact the EKG I just had a few weeks ago came out with flying colors! Flying colors on the graph too. But both Dr’s mentioned that they didn’t want to take that risk.

So will I go with “TC only”? I won’t know until the 15th. The time between now and then will give me means to research what the heck that is and honestly, I haven’t had time for that. And when I DO have time I like to rest. Or write on this thing. LOL.

Last night, however, I stood in for a few songs with my beloved, favorite local blues-rock band Tempa & The Tantrums at the Boulder Outlook. There’s something to be said for feeling normal again:

Thank you guys for your love and support and lets keep on rockin’! I will be in touch.

Happy 4th to YOU!

Word,
Elana