THE BUCKET LIST

AS MOST WOMEN on this day before Thanksgiving, I'm checking my list for the last minute grocery items needed for the big day tomorrow.  I've also been focusing on, what I call, my "bucket list" before chemo starts Monday.  It doesn't involve skydiving or anything else on that level, more like getting a real Christmas tree purchased and decorated, cleaning the house, getting the frig cleaned out, updating my cell phone.  I also want to download some audible books for chemo when I don't feel like reading.   I know...I'm a real exciting person, right?  No, actually I have spent the last couple of weeks while I'm feeling the best yet, trying to enjoy and do the things I probably won't feel like doing in another week.  I can't say I've accomplished all of them, but have enjoyed my family and look forward to that  especially tomorrow on Thanksgiving.  We are hosting my sister's family and her inlaws, my mother-in-law, and a single friend from our church.  I'll know its really Thanksgiving when the smell of celery and onion fill the house and the Macy's Day parade plays on TV while I cook, followed by the Dog Show which is a tradition to watch in our house.  Everyone will bring more food than we can possible eat! EAT, EAT, EAT...FOR MONDAY NIGHT, I PUKE!

YESTERDAY Kenny and I headed to Tampa early for another reconstruction appt. with my plastic surgeon, then onto a follow-up appt. with my general surgeon to recheck everything.  He's been a true blessing to us, takes a lot of time with us, not getting in a hurry.  He's actually a surgical oncologist and Kenny and I enjoy asking him about the latest research project he is working on in cancer surgery and treatment.  He's always willing to share this fascinating information with us.  His latest study is focusing on isolating breast cancer patients who, because of their genome, would benefit most from chemo BEFORE surgery and possibly in place of surgery, and those who wouldn't.  That is a very simplistic explanation, but its nice to hear that cancer research is continuing to improve in hopes of giving women like myself more options, more tools, in making the hard life-saving decisions that have to be made.

MY SURGEON did concur that I was experiencing slight lymphedema in my right arm which I'd hoped I would avoid.  Its been slightly swollen and sore and the condition will come and go when I'm up and active and when flying due to the altitude.  He wrote me a script for an arm compression-type sleeve which I can wear when needed.  This particular kind (Lymphediva.com) comes in every possible wild design you could wish for.  I guess some women choose to make it a fashion statement.  I'm not sure that I want to advertise to the world with my leopard design sleeve, "HEY LOOK AT ME, I HAVE LYMPHEDEMA!"

Regardless...so much to be THANKFUL for, I dont' know where to begin.