Today I met the oncologist and we discussed her take on my treatment plan which was what my surgeon was recommending.  I will be starting chemotherapy next week which will be given once a week every two weeks for a set number of treatments.  Surgery will be postponed until after the treatments are completed.  The purpose of the chemotherapy prior to surgery is to reduce the size of the tumor to get a clean margin when surgery is done later.

I canceled or I should say, surgery is postponed until all this is done, so I am now onto a different direction at this time and it appears to be the best for my situation.  My doctors are all working as a team and they converse with one another in the best treatment choices in my case.  I will be meeting a radiation specialist too even though I may or may not have radiation.  Other tests such as laboratory draws and a couple of other diagnostic tests will be done as well prior to my treatments started, so I have quite a full and busy schedule ahead.

I am still maintaining my Pet Service and it is actually a great diversion for me and my mental therapy in this season. I am very glad to have a job that has animal clients that get me outdoors and walking and laughing. They all do funny and quirky things.

Pete and I went to an excellent panel discussion open the public at French Hospital which was sponsored by Hearst Cancer Resource Center. They let everyone ask questions of these top cancer specialists and they were all great questions and answers on the latest treatments and even complimentary or alternative treatments. It was very informative and educational. It made me all the more confident in the treatment choices that are presented to me because of the advanced methods and beliefs this team of doctors represented. They are all open to support complimentary treatments which go hand in hand with conventional treatments and support the whole person, mind, body, spirit, etc.

This resource center also has all kinds of free activities for cancer patients and cancer survivors such as support groups of course, but also fun classes like art, exercise classes and yoga and many other choices including some odd ones too. The ones I want to take are the art classes, and one which gives you help with cosmetics and such for when the hair disappears with chemotherapy.

I have to admit that I do have my up days and also some very down days. Some days I am captured by the anxiety, dread or depressed feelings and I have my melt downs. Most days I do really feel the peace that God gives me and I can feel the prayers that are lifting me up.  God does give me peace that surpasses all understanding.