Well, as you can tell by the fact that I have not posted anything since Dec. 5, it has been a very busy month! This work thing is getting in the way of my blogging! However, I must admit that I am enjoying my new job and co-workers and getting a paycheck again is pretty cool too! I really wonder how I got everything done in years past though. I am only working part-time and I still find that I am on the go all the time. It's all good though because I can't imagine what I would do to keep busy otherwise. You can only clean closets for so long!
I completed my 21st radiation treatment this morning, and only have 12 more to go. As of yet, I have not experienced any real discomfort, and am hopeful that as I move into weeks 5 and 6 the side effects will be minimal. The docs say that I may get a bit of a sunburn in the last weeks, and that fatigue may also be an issue, but then again, who isn't tired half of the time? Either way, I am very happy to be nearing the end of what has been a fairly long treatment process.
When I complete the radiation stage of my treatment, I will have to decide whether or not I will agree to anti-hormone therepy, ie Tamoxafin or an Aromatas Inhibitor. As you may recall, my cancer is fed by the production of estrogen, and even though I removed my ovaries, the adrenal glands still produce a small amount of estrogen and the anti-hormone therepy will essentially stop that production.
Having consulted with 2 Medical Oncologists I am still uncertain as to whether or not I believe the benefits outweigh the risks. The problem is that each time I think I have made a decision, I then talk to the doctors and I get scared. This is the same reason I agreed to chemo and I now believe that it was the wrong decision. So as you can see, I have quite the dilemma in front of me. The good news is that I still have time to decide and am continuing to research my options. In the mean time I have been working with my brother David to determine what vitamin and natural supplements can best support my overall health. And so, the saga continues.
As I said earlier, it has been a busy month. The weekends have been full of christmas partys and baking. A couple of weeks ago, I got together with my friend Dani, and we baked cut out cookies with her grand-daughters, Meaghen, Olivia and Ana. It was wonderful and special day, as all of the girls are so sweet and fun to be around. It just doesn't feel like christmas unless you can share it with kids, and spending time with Dani and the girls made me feel just like I did when I used to bake with my Mom years ago. If Dani and the girls will invite me back, I just may have myself a new christmas tradition.
Other than the baking, it has been one christmas party after another. It's been such a busy year and the holidays have afforded us the opportunity to see many of the folks that we have missed through out the year. I really enjoyed visiting with everyone, and was again reminded of how very fortunate Tony and I are to have so many good friends in our lives.
As I look back at 2008, I hope that it can be said that I faced my particular challenges with a certain amount of grace and courage, but I am not foolish enough to think that I could have done so without the help and support given by my wonderful friends and family. Because of all of you, it has been a year filled with many blessings and the making of countless unforgettable memories.
And so, as I look to 2009, I do so knowing that although I still have some challenges in front of me, each and every one of you is by my side, holding my hand, laughing with me and sharing with me an unforgettable journey, and for that I shall be eternally grateful!
My wish for 2009 is that each and every one of you is blessed by the same good fortune as I have been and that it is happy, healthy, full of love and and the blessings that only family and good friends can provide. It's gonna be a good year!
Happy New Year!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
With love,
Shannon
