It is almost unimaginable that next month will be the anniversary of the routine mammogram that discovered a lump. The first two months of 2019, I felt off, not my normal self. I was lethargic, out of sorts, tired all the time, weak, and napping often. Several times people asked me to join them in various activities and I just didn't have the energy. I wasn't even able to focus. I didn't care. I slept lots.
Fast forward to today. Comparing how I feel now to how I felt then, is like night and day. My energy levels are back to normal, I feel healthier, I feel stronger, and I want to get out and do things. Note I said get out and do things, not stay home and do house work! Although there are things at home I like to do. I am a nester. I like my nest, I like to be home, I like to be surrounded by familiar things.
I also love my friends. I enjoy traveling, if only to arrive at the destination to visit my friends. I recently did exactly that and even now I am thinking I need to make plans for a visit to see more friends. Also a family member is in week 3 of 4 radiation treatments, traveling 3 hours each direction, five days a week to receive treatment. A trip to visit is probably a wise decision.
One of my friends is coming soon to help me do a birthday do-over since last year my birthday fell smack in the middle of medical appointments and procedures. I might forever be one year younger than my actual age! It sounds good to me!
One thing I would say in discussing the quality of cancer treatment, is the closer you are to a major city, a major cancer treatment facility, so specialists who treat various cancers day in and day out, the better your chances of survival are. Being treated by a doctor who also treats ingrown toe nails, who is a general practitioner, while being an amazing doctor, may not have the latest knowledge, equipment, and support staff available. I always thought retiring to the countryside, fresh air, the beach, fields of crops, wavy hillsides, mountain views would be ideal. But retiring to a community that does not have a dedicated cancer hospital, top notch medical specialists, the best facilities close at hand, will make your senior years very challenging.
It was fortuitous that I moved back to a major city almost 4 years before my diagnosis. I think that this likely contributed to my successful outcome. I firmly believe I am cured, for to believe otherwise is self defeating. I am a survivor.
Fast forward to today. Comparing how I feel now to how I felt then, is like night and day. My energy levels are back to normal, I feel healthier, I feel stronger, and I want to get out and do things. Note I said get out and do things, not stay home and do house work! Although there are things at home I like to do. I am a nester. I like my nest, I like to be home, I like to be surrounded by familiar things.
I also love my friends. I enjoy traveling, if only to arrive at the destination to visit my friends. I recently did exactly that and even now I am thinking I need to make plans for a visit to see more friends. Also a family member is in week 3 of 4 radiation treatments, traveling 3 hours each direction, five days a week to receive treatment. A trip to visit is probably a wise decision.
One of my friends is coming soon to help me do a birthday do-over since last year my birthday fell smack in the middle of medical appointments and procedures. I might forever be one year younger than my actual age! It sounds good to me!
One thing I would say in discussing the quality of cancer treatment, is the closer you are to a major city, a major cancer treatment facility, so specialists who treat various cancers day in and day out, the better your chances of survival are. Being treated by a doctor who also treats ingrown toe nails, who is a general practitioner, while being an amazing doctor, may not have the latest knowledge, equipment, and support staff available. I always thought retiring to the countryside, fresh air, the beach, fields of crops, wavy hillsides, mountain views would be ideal. But retiring to a community that does not have a dedicated cancer hospital, top notch medical specialists, the best facilities close at hand, will make your senior years very challenging.
It was fortuitous that I moved back to a major city almost 4 years before my diagnosis. I think that this likely contributed to my successful outcome. I firmly believe I am cured, for to believe otherwise is self defeating. I am a survivor.
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