It starts

Today was the meeting with the oncologist. He was super nice. I got more information then I could even begin to absorb.

First, I will have a PET scan sometime in the next week. We want to make sure that no rogue cancer cells have hitchhiked onto an unsuspecting organ. I expect that to come back completely clear.

Second, I will have my first chemo on Nov 4th. It will be a Taxotere/Cytoxan mix. I start taking steroids the day before, because that will help with water retention and keep any allergic reaction to a minimum. I think I should obviously also lift weights that day, so I get the full benefit of bulking up. The infusions will be 4-6 hours each, depending. And I will get chemo once every 21 days for 6 treatments.

The chemo is done on the top floor of the Kaiser building. The infusion room is all glass walls, so the view is AMAZING. They have nice recliners, free wifi, a fridge for food and drink and you can bring a couple of people with you if you want. Good to know I'll be comfortable while being poisoned. The biggest thought in my mind during the tour of the room was that I was the youngest one there. I'm sure other people younger then me get cancer. Today must have been the AARP day.

They will provide me with a wig if I want it, but I doubt I'd wear one. A nice soft cap is more appealing to me. I'll be anti-nausea meds. And if I ever run a fever higher then 100.4 during chemo, I get an all expense paid vacation at St Joe's for I.V antibiotics. Chemo kills your white blood cells. A small infection can become very large very quickly. Forgive me if I ask everyone who comes in my house to wash hands and leave shoes at the door. And if I don't hug you while you are sniffly at all, just know it's because a cold to you would be something totally different to me.

I'm doing okay after the mastectomy. The drains are still in and I hate them. They hurt. And they are very hard to accessorize with. I'm hoping they come out next week. I can't lift my left arm very far yet, but my right side is healing up nicely. I have my post-op on the 19th.

And once again, my Uncle's cancer upstaged mine. The onco got all excited about the male breast cancer in my family. I doubt the men in my family are as excited about it. It sure makes everyone stand up and pay attention. We are special that way.