We are one week into our trip to England and Scotland to see Matt. My disloyal breast did manage to follow me here--mighty nervy of her--but she is remaining relatively quiet.
York was the perfect Disney-esque English town, with the amazing York Minster towing over winding streets that look like 1709, not 2009. Edinburgh, Scotland is a cosmopolitan hiptown with the most wonderful old castle sitting way up on a dormant volcano right in the middle of everything. We drove to Stirling Castle yesterday--Matt's "favorite castle"--and had a grand time wondering around the ramparts in the uncharacteristic sunshine we've enjoyed through most of the week.
The countryside is a springtime dream (except for all the nuclear power plants!)--fields of flowers, grazing sheep with their new babies, tall grass rippling in the breeze. Matt of course loves to torment Jenna by telling her repeatedly how he's reminded to have a tasty lamb dinner later in the evening!
Today, we press onward to the Scottish Highlands.
I am so very thankful for this distraction. Jeff the travel guru timed this one perfectly.
............................................................................
On another happy note, my father's house apparently has finally sold after one year on the market--I am much relieved because this is the money which will keep him in comfort in assisted living.
On a less-happy note for my dad, he will need plastic surgery next week to repair some trouble at the site of his prior brain surgery. A very scary and dangerous situation I'm afraid.
The Brants are having a bumpy spring. Think positive thoughts.....we're going to need them!
Saturday, May 30, 2009
Friday, May 22, 2009
People are great
May I just take a moment to say how very wonderful my fellow humans are........
I've had the best hugs, the sweetest--and funniest--phone calls and e-mails, beautiful cards, and a world of other heartfelt good wishes.
I think we all forget sometimes how these simple gestures really matter. I hope this experience helps me to be more aware of expressing my support or my concern.
Thank you, people.
I've had the best hugs, the sweetest--and funniest--phone calls and e-mails, beautiful cards, and a world of other heartfelt good wishes.
I think we all forget sometimes how these simple gestures really matter. I hope this experience helps me to be more aware of expressing my support or my concern.
Thank you, people.
Thursday, May 21, 2009
Decisions, decisions
Today was Hopkins consult day.
Long story short, it's the right place at the right time. I will be having a lumpectomy there bright and early on Monday, June 15th (report time 5:30 AM!? for a 9 AM surgery).
Everyone there was extremely informative and helpful, and of course the facility is huge and impressive. It was the detailed attention paid to ME and to my case that won the day. Amazingly, the pathology slides from my biopsy were shown and evaluated at the "daily departmental quality assurance conference" to the entire pathology staff! How's that for attention? They actually fine-tuned my diagnosis a bit from the path lab in NY.
Also, the delegate my sister works for in Annapolis has a daughter who is a pathologist at Hopkins. We've been trying to connect for a few days to see if she could help me in some way. Anyway, she saw my slides at the department meeting before she realized they belonged to her phone-tag buddy! She called me this afternoon as I was headed up the road, and she is most optimistic about my prognosis. She said, "If you have to have breast cancer, this is the kind to have."
So, that's the scoop. HOPKINS, here I come (after a lovely sidetrip to England and Scotland!).
Long story short, it's the right place at the right time. I will be having a lumpectomy there bright and early on Monday, June 15th (report time 5:30 AM!? for a 9 AM surgery).
Everyone there was extremely informative and helpful, and of course the facility is huge and impressive. It was the detailed attention paid to ME and to my case that won the day. Amazingly, the pathology slides from my biopsy were shown and evaluated at the "daily departmental quality assurance conference" to the entire pathology staff! How's that for attention? They actually fine-tuned my diagnosis a bit from the path lab in NY.
Also, the delegate my sister works for in Annapolis has a daughter who is a pathologist at Hopkins. We've been trying to connect for a few days to see if she could help me in some way. Anyway, she saw my slides at the department meeting before she realized they belonged to her phone-tag buddy! She called me this afternoon as I was headed up the road, and she is most optimistic about my prognosis. She said, "If you have to have breast cancer, this is the kind to have."
So, that's the scoop. HOPKINS, here I come (after a lovely sidetrip to England and Scotland!).
Tuesday, May 19, 2009
Happy Birthday, Sweet _ _!
My very dear sister Anne is celebrating a birthday tomorrow that ends with a zero..................
I'm looking forward to celebrating with many family members tomorrow evening in Baltimore. Then on Thursday, bright and early, Anne will take me to Hopkins.
I know the support of my family will be the glue that holds me together in the weeks and years ahead. So, a toast to my sister, a very important member of my "team." I know she'll return the favor and toast me on many birthdays to come.
I love you, Anne.
I'm looking forward to celebrating with many family members tomorrow evening in Baltimore. Then on Thursday, bright and early, Anne will take me to Hopkins.
I know the support of my family will be the glue that holds me together in the weeks and years ahead. So, a toast to my sister, a very important member of my "team." I know she'll return the favor and toast me on many birthdays to come.
I love you, Anne.
Monday, May 18, 2009
Manic Monday
Today I worked a full day and I'm exhausted. I guess my cut back in hours last week made me soft! I feel overwhelmed with details...cancer stuff, travel stuff, father stuff, blah...blah...blah. On a positive note, we have rehired a previous employee to help pick up the slack--she will be doing a lot of my stuff while I'm in and out. I'm relieved.
My Kindle came! It's so cute and easy to use. I love my prize. I've been a little cranky/sad today and it made me feel better.
I did my walk...impressive...two whole days in a row. Give me twenty years at this pace and I might be back in shape! Oh well--gotta start somewhere.
Tomorrow I will be sunnier.
My Kindle came! It's so cute and easy to use. I love my prize. I've been a little cranky/sad today and it made me feel better.
I did my walk...impressive...two whole days in a row. Give me twenty years at this pace and I might be back in shape! Oh well--gotta start somewhere.
Tomorrow I will be sunnier.
Sunday, May 17, 2009
It's that math again
My book says 80% of breast cancer occurs after age 50. The quote..."your risk of getting breast cancer before the age of 50 is very small."
Lucky me--I'm on the wrong side of yet another math equation.
Lucky me--I'm on the wrong side of yet another math equation.
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