11 Months

Yesterday marked 11 months since I received my diagnosis.  It's been good, it's been bad.  Right now I'm experiencing pain in my right pelvic area and occasional vaginal spasms.  I've heard somewhere that if there is a recurrence, that's where it shows.  The thought of that simply petrifies me to no end.  It seems like just when I'm getting my life back on track, something negative has to happen to me.  But I'm trying to think positive, though.  Maybe it's nothing more than a side effect.  Going to Oklahoma City on August 1 to figure out what's going on.  Can hardly wait.

*kathy*

Tattoo Idea

I am not much for tattoos (I am deathly terrified of needles).  But I am seriously considering getting this, if I work up the nerve.  Only thing I would add at the bottom would be 8/24/2012.  You know, the date of diagnosis.  ;-)

*kathy*

Dwelling on the negative...or not

I have learned to adapt so much since being diagnosed with cancer last August.  I could be negative, and dwell on the fact that I started getting sick exactly one year ago.  But I'm not going to do that.  No way, no sir!  Instead, I'm going to focus on the fact that today I have been cancer-free for exactly 10 months.  Heck yeah!  I got this!!  ;-)

*kathy*

Important Cancer Journey Dates

Okay, so I've probably talked about this before, but it bears repeating.  There are dates in my cancer journey that are significant to me.  Some people might think I'm making too much of this, but cancer IS kind of a big deal.  So here goes.

July 20, 2012:  the very first day I started getting sick from my last cycle, in a hotel bathroom in San Antonio.  Egh, that day was hot!

August 14, 2012:  feeling so light-headed from the amount of blood loss that I had to leave work and go to the ER.

August 16, 2012:  undergoing testing that was mostly uncomfortable, but worth it in the end.

August 24, 2012:  getting a call from Dr. Winfrey's office, telling me that I had uterine cancer.  The longest and most painful six and a half minutes of my life.

September 10, 2012:  meeting my wonderful oncologist Dr. Moxley for the first time.  She's amazing.

September 19, 2012:  hysterectomy at OU Medical Center.  Five life-altering hours under the knife.

October 4, 2012:  Dr. Moxley tells me I am at Stage 1a, Grade 2, and that no other treatment would be necessary.  I cried so many tears of joy that day, I can't even describe it.

So now you know.  :-)

*kathy*

Vacation

I don't have any plans to go anywhere this year, but the prospect of ever going on another vacation frightens me.  Why? Well, last vacation I went on (July 2012), I started having major, major problems with my menstrual cycle.  It ended up resulting in my cancer diagnosis.  I know, I know, I'm not gonna get diagnosed with cancer every time I go on vacation.  But sometimes I can't help but think about that vacation from last year.  Funny how life does that to you.  But the good thing is that I'm getting better with each passing day.  :-)

*kathy*

Almost there...

Can't believe it's been almost a year already since I was diagnosed with cancer.  Seems like just yesterday I heard those absolutely horrible three little words:  "you have cancer".  Those are words no one wants to hear.  Every once in a while, when I think back to that terrible Friday, and I remember that conversation, I'll start to cry and become emotional.  It doesn't happen as often as it used to, thank goodness, but it still does, and it's always unexpected.  Maybe in time it'll be easier to cope with. But for now, whenever I think about the fact that I was given a cancer diagnosis, I become emotional.  And that's okay with me.  To me, it means that I've survived.

*kathy*

Thankful

On this important holiday in America, I must say that I'm thankful for the fact I've got freedom to choose where I want to go for cancer treatment.  Back in August during my initial diagnosis, I was given the option of choosing between Oklahoma City and Dallas.  So glad I chose OKC.  Such top-notch care I have received at OU, one of the best facilities for cancer treatment in the States.  And to think, there are women in other countries that don't have the same luxuries I do.  So I definitely don't take this country for granted.

*kathy*