Lucky Me.... Always

The second blog I wrote when I found out I had cancer on May 16th was titled “Lucky Me”. Well, I’m happy to report, I’m still lucky! 

I was lucky to find the cancer early, lucky I had a colonoscopy at age 49 instead of 50 (especially since I had no symptoms to make me do this), lucky to be living in Salt Lake City UT where there is such excellent cancer research and care, lucky to have such fabulous supportive friends & family, lucky it’s 2012, just darn LUCKY! Today is no different, thankfully. Here’s why…...

Yesterday, I went in today for another 6 week follow up with my surgeon (my third post treatment) at 9:30 am.  It went so well I don’t go back for 3 months. Merry Christmas! She said the spot is soooo much improved from last time. I find it amazing she remembers that. Anyway…..lucky!

Then my dentist called me at around noon and said I won an iPad mini in a Facebook drawing they had online! Can you believe it?! Yay me! Again, lucky!

It keeps happening. I’m so lucky. My only regret is that I had to go to work on Thursday because I didn’t win a half a billion dollars on the Power Ball Lottery Wednesday night.  Lucky?  Ya.... probably.  I think most lottery winners either go crazy or lose all their money I'm told so basically.... lucky. 

Uneventful

After 3 long months, went to see the oncologist today.  She was on vacation and her normal PA was out on maternity leave.  Saw the other PA I've never met.  He was nice.  Didn't really have any thoughtful comments because I'm doing really well and my blood work is normal.  :-)  Said the colorectal surgeon is the best authority on what's going on with the spot in my butt.  I see her again on December 6.  I'm on a 6 week cycle with her.  I guess I go see the oncologist every 3 months for 2 years.  Then to 6 month or 1 year cycle after that.  I'm not sure what they are looking for in my blood but I guess it doesn't hurt (much) for them to keep checking it. Good news is, I look and feel healthy so that is what matters.

Exercise Does A Body Good?

I made it to 10 days in a row of Jillian's 30 Day Shred (20 minute cardio/strength training) Level 1, with 20 minutes (about a mile and half) on the treadmill right behind it for 5 of the 10 days.  Then I missed Tues., Wed., Thurs., Friday last week..... but I hit it again today.  I can't believe how out of shape I am and how sore it makes me.  There are days that I feel so old and tired.  But, I know it is helping me.  At least I think it is anyway.  The stiffness and pain in my pelvis is so weird.  To me it feels like I have run a marathon without any training.  That was one main reason I decided to get back in the swing of an exercise regime again.  I mean, if I have to have pain and stiffness, I want it to be from actual exercise.  :-)  I also contacted the Bikram Yoga studio I used to go to but I haven't been to class since Oct. 2011.  I think that will help with the flexibility.  Does anyone else do Bikram (hot yoga)?  Now I'm going to enjoy a snowy Saturday getting ready for friends to come over for dinner.  What should I make? Hmmm........

Looking forward to meeting with my oncologist on the 12th.  It's been 3 months since we last met.  I wonder what questions I need to ask.  Any ideas?  I finished treatment on 7/23.  Is it time for a PET/CT?  I've had a sore throat (really really sore) for 3 months and have been on two rounds of antibiotics which haven't helped?  Should I bring that up?  Also, have had two UTI's and had antibiotics for that.  I think I had another last week but it sort of went away.  Should I ask about that?  My skin tone still looks off and I have dark circles under my eyes which I never really had before.  People say I look great and like I never was sick (the only reason I was sick was from the treatment no the cancer).  Isn't that the weird thing about cancer?

My backyard at 7:30 AM
Weathergirl says 4 feet by tomorrow.  One can hope!