Book Excerpts
Waiting
I have mentioned to several friends that waiting is the hardest part of Breast Cancer so far. Waiting for the mammogram. Waiting for the biopsy. Waiting for the pathology report. Waiting for the treatment plan. And now, waiting for surgery. I chose to look at this two...
The Paperwork
Having surgery requires a lot of paperwork. What happened to electronic medical records? I keep answering the same questions over and over. Maybe it is a test to see if I get the answers right. To test this theory, I change my weight a few ponds every time someone...
Coping Prayer
From my friend Julie.
“What Can I Do?”
I am surrounded by positive and proactive people. The first thing that most of you ask is, "What can I do to help?" This questions exhausted me at first, but with the help of a couple of friends, I have come up with a reply. First and foremost, you can make sure...
The Surgeon
On the way to the appointment with the surgeon, Gene asks me if I have decided on what treatment plan I would prefer. He explains that if I am uncertain or uncomfortable at any point, we can walk out of there without setting a surgery date. I go over my thoughts...
Team Kathy
I'm forming a team for people who want to walk beside me and laugh along the way. I'm calling it Team Kathy. Since I'm the self-appointed captain, I want to make sure I have the right people on my team. I want: People with positive attitudes. People who can laugh...
The Oncologist
There is something surreal about driving up to the Cancer Center. I don't feel sick. Could this all be a big mistake? Why don't they have an address on the building? It looks rather nice. I admire the lobby and artwork as we enter. They have free valet parking...
The Pathology Report
Waiting is awful. It is like being suspended in a place where your feet don't touch the ground and you can't quite reach the ceiling. You can still move your arms and legs, but you don't get anywhere. I had my biopsies on a Friday so you can just double the 24-48...
The Witching Hour
I'm not sleeping well. Somewhere between 2 a.m. and 4 a.m. I wake up and can't get back to sleep. My brain starts spinning and a million thoughts go through my head. What can I control? What can't I control? What can I do to get organized (this coming from...
The Biopsy
You have to have a sense of humor when you walk into a room and there is a table with a big hole in the very center and they tell you that you have to climb a ladder and put your right breast in the hole. I looked down and said, "But my breast isn't in the center of...