Out of Luck

This time last year I felt pretty darn lucky. I’d tiptoed through my breast cancer treatment without awakening its two snarling monsters: chemotherapy and radiation. Now I find myself facing both head on. This coming Monday I’ll have surgery to install a port. Most likely, the following week, the first of 4 rounds of chemo. The decision to move forward with chemotherapy wasn’t easy. The genetic test was decisively vague. After much deliberation, the pros seemed to outweigh the cons (barely). Then again, as my oncologist freely admits, no one knows if chemo will help or not. Basically, it’s a crapshoot. The stakes couldn’t be higher. Maybe I’ll get lucky.

5 Responses

  1. Nan says:

    Catherine,
    I wish there was more certainty about the end result of having to go through chemo and radiation. I know that information would make the drudgery of it slightly more palatable. With or without that information, we will do what we can to support you and Mary as you collectively face down these beasts. If love potions mixed with toxic meds can do it… we are definitely among many who are providing the love. -Nan & fam

    Cheesy quote of the day – couldn’t help it… I like it! : )

    When you come to the edge of all the light you know, and are about to step off into the darkness of the unknown, faith is knowing one of two things will happen: there will be something solid to stand on, or you will be taught how to fly. — Barbara J. Winter

  2. Andrew says:

    Few words rhyme with tamoxifen,
    then again,
    few words could offer the comfort you deserve.
    So when you run out of reserves,
    When chemo’s got you down and
    Oh do you want to ream the universe
    and its perverse sense of justice,
    remember we, the non-oncologists, your bastions of friends
    with no statistics,
    no open-ended, only-you-can-answer questions,
    no mentions of tests, side effects, and the rest,
    are here standing as stanchions, here by you handing over
    our good thoughts, our faith that luck has lazed through its luncheon long enough and is ready to be with you again.

  3. Amy says:

    I’m thinking of you. Let me know if you need anything.

  4. Christie says:

    Sending you love and healthy wishes from Colorado.

    –Christie

  5. Ellen says:

    Thinking of you up here in the north country and sending good wishes and love to corner of Dodds and Rogers. Miss you—

    Ellen