Moving Forward

The past few weeks around here have been rather hectic ... emotionally and physically. The good news is that all of the change is starting to happen and "Hope" is returning to our home!

In a nutshell, I've decided to leave my current oncologist and make a move to a large cancer center here in St. Louis (as I've mentioned in an earlier blog.) My first appointment will be on Monday, and hopefully (see! there's that word again!) I'll have a new protocol to go after this annoying little cancer that won't let go of me. I've never been good with change, but this time it feels so right. I'm going to miss the nurses who took such good care of me ... not just the cancer part of me, but the whole me. I firmly believe that the nurses make the doctor. I just wish I could take them with me! I will update you sometime next week about my new treatments. For those of you who have been so gracious offering your help with the kids and driving me to and from appointments, thank you! I really may need to take you up on your offers as things change.

Now here's a gripe. I got, no, I paid for, a copy of part of my medical records today. My new docs wanted them. I was astonished that I actually had to pay a handling fee of $20.02 and a per page fee of .47 cents! All for my very own medical records! Anyway, what it did do was give me a chance to see reports that I've never been privy to in the past. Some of them completely shocked me as they had serious medical information about my type of cancer that was never shared with me. But what infuriated me was that my doctor noted that I was "morbidly obese". Now, don't get me wrong, I'm a good-sized girl. I haven't been teeny since I was in high school and had to wear a little bitty skirt as the drum major for the marching band. But, I'm NOT "morbidly" obese! My BMI doesn't fall into that category, nor does my excess weight. I'm 5'9 1/2" and weigh about 170. I typically wear a size 14, but recently have moved into a 12. Now, most women wouldn't share this information, but I just want to prove that I am not "morbidly obese." If I were larger than I am now (and before my illness I was 200+) I'd still be offended that he lists that as a medical issue, but never spoke to me about it. (Note, as I am sitting here griping about this I'm treating myself to a Hostess Cherry Fruit Pie ... 480 calories and 20g of fat ... oh well.) Reading this in the doctor's notes has simply solidified my adamance about changing care providers.

So, tomorrow I have surgery at MoBap. Dad's neighbor, Barb, has kindly offered to take me and hang out during the procedure, then bring me home. I don't anticipate feeling much like answering the phone or blogging/emailing when I get home, but I do promise to touch base soon. Thank you all for being an incredible support system ... some of you in person, and some online. Your prayers and love mean so much to me. I'll have to throw a party when I beat this cancer so I can properly thank you. Tonya will make the slushies, and I'll bring the Hostess pies! That's all we'll need!

Ready for change, and ready for a nice drug induced sleep tomorrow morning!
Kathy