Here is my Chemo sabe update. I last updated you in July, 2009. I'd finished my second mastectomy and chemo for breast cancer. I'd had expanders installed in my chest which felt like two tupperware containers. I was in the process of being inflated to my desired chest projection. I did have my six and my nine month tumor marker checks. They were both positive, AAHH, I mean negative! Negative being the good outcome; no sign of metastasis. The tumor markers are 85% effective at detecting a spread of this god-awful disease.


John and I did go in to the Oncologist on November 13th---Friday the 13th!!! To get the results of my blood work. What were we thinking?? The doctor was running late, so we split a decadent chocolate donut with coconut coating. There were a few good things about chemotherapy. . . I got fresh, bakery made donuts every other week--guilt free! Donut poison is way less than chemo drug poison; and WAY MORE FUN! So, we are sitting there, scared shipless about the test results when a woman in a white coat walks in and introduces herself as Susan Somethingorother. Usual civilities ensue, then she takes a deep breath and says, "How do you feel about alternative medicine?" I instantly get that cold flush, head to toe panicked feeling. But, politely inquire as to what kind of 'alternative medicines' she's inquiring about. As she's discussing the power of prayer, acupuncture, homeopathic regimes, biofeedback. . . our minds are trying to process, the BIG 'that's IT.' The markers are positive (meaning negative), my type of cancer doesn't have effective treatments, there is nothing else they can medically do!!! (I also thought, there goes Florida!). John interrupts our conversation and with an appropriately agitated voice says, "WHY DO YOU ASK??" Our white coated, Dr-looking Susan says, "Oh, we are conducting a survey on how well the hospital staff has informed you about alternative and complementary treatments for illnesses." SERIOUSLY??????? Did you NOT realize we are waiting for a quarterly life or death sentence?? You NEED to come in and say you are conducting a survey OR that your test results are all good, and. . .

The doctor did come in and first thing out of his mouth was, 'Your test results were all good.' Bless his heart. He had a recent, very serious, false cancer alarm with his 11 year old son. The cancer doctor got to live on the receiving side for a while and really learned a few things about how you need to speak to your cancer patients. No polite small talk for several minutes before giving test results in a cancer situation!! Really bad idea.


So, I asked about cancer survival time markers. They don't measure survival rates from the end of chemo (which I assumed) but, from the day the tumor was removed from your body. Therefore, we are all celebrating my being cancer free for one year as of Oct. 17, 2009. I love measuring in years, rather than months. Much more impressive-sounding.


I had another surgery Nov 3, 2009. Dr. Migliori removed the expanders in my chest and installed my permanent implants. It was a same day surgery at the Piper Breast Center. The day was managed very well. My only moment of concern was when the surgeon came in (I was the first surgery of the day at 7:30--6 AM arrival) and started to draw with a marker on my body. That confused me. So, you take out the expanders in my breastal area and don't know where the silicone implants are supposed to go??? You need to draw on my person so you don't install them, where???? on my hips? Anyway, he says, "I didn't check my notes, but, I think we ordered 550 and 575 CC models to implant." I vehemently say whilst shaking my head, "No, No No! This size or smaller (while pointing to my tupperware). No bigger!" He harrumphs and says he'll check what they ordered. The majority of my brain trusted this truly wonderful surgeon and man, but, a small portion began to get nervous. What if I woke up with the Dolly Parton torpedoes I joked about ordering while John was in Asia for my 'pick your particular breast' session with the doctor. Did you know that even when you've decided that the 'expansion' is the size you want to be, you THEN have to decide what shape this 450 CC's should be??? Do you want 'droop?' Yes, women my age sometimes desire age appropriate senile breasts! Ewe!


Fortunately, when I met my surgeon in the operating room he HAD checked his notes, they HAD ordered the correct boobs and he did know where they should go. He was great. As they prepared me, I told the team that their job, during my surgery, was to find an alternative word for my husband's favorite; bifurcate. It's an awful sounding word AND he loves it and uses it . . . a lot! The prep team was doing their thing, my surgeon was on the computer. I asked if he was checking emails, he said, NO, I'm looking up the word bifurcate! The tough part, he said, was the equal parts delineation. I responded, bifurcate my breasts, please. I'd like them to be even, for once. Then I shut up and let them do their job. Actually, I think the anaesthesiologist turned up my sleepy juice.

Recovery was uneventful. No riding, lifting, etc for three weeks. John was a superstar. Got up, fed horses before going to work and did same in the evening. He even counted hooves to make sure everyone was alive and still four legged. Student's were, as always, supportive, accommodating and adaptive. I couldn't set jumps with my arms, I tried to set them with my legs, but, my groin and hips started to screech at me. They worked it out (my students, not my hips and groin) and combined lessons, set for each other, or sacrificed and took dressage lessons (you need them!!!!!). Thank you, so much.

So the cancer thing is done for three months. I'll now focus on the Ocala Gala! I am packing up and heading south two days after Thanksgiving. I'll be overnighting in Bloomington, IL the first night and Shelbyville, TN the second. Go to horsemotels.com and check out Well Green Farm in IL and Clearview Horse Farm in TN. Wellgreen Farm will have a 2 br 2 bath apartment with a kitchen and living room ready for Moose and I and two bedded stalls for the horses. Clearview is a new show facility, they even host weddings. The have a choice of themed rooms, indoor and outdoor arena, acreage, swimming pool, bedded stalls for the ponies and breakfast for me! Each facility comes well recommended and is affordable.

I will try to update my blog on the way down.


Happy Thanksgiving everyone!

Jodi

Wow! I just accomplished the most incredible thing. I used modern day technology without the aid of a teenager. I created my own Blog. Of course, I had to find out what one was first. I read the tutorial and then with my heart beating out of my chest I, alone, created a blog. I 'm not sure what I thought might happen, but, I was afraid it would open up every porn site imaginable and put me on the child protection services radar. Well, no officers at my door yet, so let's move on.

I have created a blog site for my former Chemosabes to read, if desired, while I am on my Ocala Adventure. For those of you who have not heard I am (soonly) taking two of my horses and my new standard poodle puppy, Moose, to Ocala, Florida for three months. Why, you ask? BECAUSE IT'S COLD IN MINNESOTA! THAT'S WHY! Oh, I have so many more reasons, not better reasons, just more.

I have missed one and one half show seasons battling breast cancer. Winter is Ocala's show season, so I will be showing Tiz in dressage and maybe eventing. I need to work on the next level in the USDF Dressage Judge's Program. I was fortunate enough to continue with the USDF "L" Judge's program during my treatments and passed the final exam in August 'with Distinction.' I think the bald head and tube hanging out of my chest earned some sympathy points from the examiners! This 'distinction' part means I am now allowed to do the whole grueling thing over again and test for my 'r' judge's license. I will then be able to judge recognized dressage shows up to 2nd level.

Other goals for my stay are to test for my USEA (Eventing association) Instructor Certification Program and my USDF (Dressage association) Instructor Certification Program, redo my CPR training, get my required scores at 4th level, formalize my Chemosabe letters for use in cancer centers, design a Trista Farm Summer Camp for adult riders, write my children's "Mom, Tell me One More Story" books, retype my fathers WWII letters before the mimeograph (yes, I meant mimeograph) ink disappears, explore areas of FL for a potential winter/retirement spot for John and I, oh, AND work on my tan! Does that sound like enough?

Yeah, well, I'll start with the tan just to rub it in! I've got to go pack. More later!