Sorry I didn't update immediately upon return. I had so much to catch up with in work and school after a week in St. Lucia (not to mention in medical appointments).
First thing is first...St. Lucia was amazing!!! The weather was pretty rainy the first two days and my family (went with my husband, parents, brother, and brother's hopefully soon to be fiance) and I were a little disappointed at first. The staff at the Sandals Grande St. Lucian, however, informed us we'd be greatful for some cloud cover when the sun finally came out, and boy were they right. The remainder of the week was partially cloudy, with the sun peeking out (or blaring out) for about a half hour to hour sporatically. In the cloud and some rain, temperature was comfortable, but when the sun came out, the humidity level would immediately rise and the shade of your skin would be noticeably darker within 5-10 minutes. Sun screen oh sunscreen. We ziplined, relaxed, swam, took a driving and boat tour around the island, sat in sulfur springs at the drive in volcano, and bathed in mineral baths at a waterfall. Not to mention, Sandals is all inclusive so we had amazing mixed and blended drinks all day...along with great local and resort food! This was a wonderful experience and a great relief. Oh, and the music was hilarious!
And then back to reality. I work as a paralegal in a civil litigation law firm in Irvine, California. I definitely can tell my boss misses me when I'm on vacation. I've had quite a bit of catching up at my desk and I'm only now starting to get comfortable again in my work load....only to have to take a week off for work starting next Tuesday.
I met with my surgeon a couple of days ago. The plan is basically surgery to remove the entire mass including the cystic portion, shave down a bit of the bone (since there is only 7mm clearance between the mass and my bone), and then sew me up with a nice large war wound scar to have as a conversation starter for bikini season. After surgery and some recovery, I will then start 6 weeks of localized radiation therapy to my leg.
No one told me before that radiation therapy is 5 days a week. Geez! So not only at least a week off from work after surgery, but also medical appointments every day...so I need to figure out changing my work schedule around. I guess I'm just grateful that I don't have to have any chemo. The surgeon pretty much shot that topic down (of course having to state the disclaimer that there's always a slight possibility that during surgery something may be discovered).
So I had to cancel my Friday appointment to have my wisdom teeth removed, since obviously leg surgery takes priority and my doc was concerned about the possiblity of infection from the oral surgery delaying the leg surgery. Hope my incoming wisdoms don't destroy the years of work and expense that went into my smile smile (sorry mom and dad!).
Then I was ordered a chest CT...since SS is most likely to metastisize into the lungs, and I've probably had my issue 5-6 years plus, the doc wanted to take a closer look as a pre-surgery precaution. All clear! Other than my residual thymus gland which will need a follow-up scan sometime in the future to make sure it's shrinking as apparently the thymus gland is supposed to do with age.
So that's the update...surgery on Tuesday, a week or so recovery, and then 6 weeks of radiation. Kind of strange how none of that really bothers me....
The things I'm sad about (in no particular order):
-putting my boss is a tough position (I enjoy my job and people I work with)
-having to put off school for a semester (I'm working on my Master's Degree in Paralegal Studies and had a great plan of completion)
-having to push back the baby timeline (my hubby and I had a plan to start around now - gonna have to wait!)
-the uncertainty of my girl's nights dancing abilities post-surgery (despite my doc saying I should be fine)
-and having to lock the dog in the backyard kennel for at least a week and having to shun my kitty from the bedroom during surgical recovery (my dog is extremely physical and my sweet perfect kitty sleeps on my legs every night!)
I guess the medical part doesn't bother me too too much because I find it interesting and fascinating (I'm one of those weirdos who watching as the needle is inserted for an IV or to withdraw blood...did I mention I watching my entire core needle biopsy via ultrasound?).
Oh! One other note...Anyone else notice how some people get very awkward talking to you after they find out about your big "C"? Not your good friends or family, and not the people you've outwardly discussed it with, but the ones who find out from those people you've disclosed to. It's so sad that they act as if they are going to offend you by saying the wrong thing or looking at you weird. I think it's just the lack of information. I keep asking my besties and family, "so who have you told?" I like to know who knows so that if I sense awkwardness I can outright start the conversation and discuss it with them. I remember when I used to feel awkward finding out such information and not knowing what to say...it's very interesting to be on the other side.