Thursday, October 15, 2009

Visit to Surgeon - October 14

October 14
I now have a date for surgery. It's going to be November 6. It's good to have a date. Now just have to work on not waking up so early each morning! I was given more information to read and there are very helpful trained people available to talk to if I need to ask more questions.
All in all, a useful day. It provided the next step in this journey.

Tuesday, October 13, 2009

October 13

Resting and waiting. Today I am at home and taking it easy after the busyness of yesterday at school. I've realised already that there's an awful lot of waiting involved in this journey.
Today is a waiting day. It's been nice to have the chance to rest a bit. Tomorrow is the day of the appointment that will lead to more information and an operation.

October 12

Monday 12th October
A busy but very worthwhile day at school. I said goodbye to my great class and to the very supportive staff. They are a wonderful bunch of people. I did a handover with two very capable teachers and packed up as much as I could.
I am very happy that the children will have a great time this term. My mind is still buzzing with thoughts of school and whether I have forgotten to pass on things to the new teachers.
That will pass, I am sure. Now it's time to rest, relax and think ahead.... but only a little ahead! One step at a time. Wednesday's appointment, with the surgeon, is the next step.

Sunday, October 11, 2009

October 11

Sunday 11 October
We are off to church soon.
I am relieved about handing over my class to two very capable teachers.
The school has been very supportive.
Over the weekend I have talked to some lovely friends and family, which has been great. I am very lucky.
I will teach on Monday and that will give me a chance to say goodbye to the children and the staff. That will be my last teaching day!
The future is unknown as yet . Wednesday should help with the next step.
My brain is very busy, thinking about everything!

Friday, October 9, 2009

Farewelling Ma, Pa and Deirdre

Freezing October weather, even for Canberra!


Thursday October 8

We farewelled Mum and Dad and Deirdre , as they left for Sydney about 9:15am. It was a farewell marked with confusion. It was amazing that we had a garbage truck trying to turn around in the culdesac as Mum and Dad were arriving and getting out of the car! You had to be there to really believe it! Somehow, only the garbage was collected and Mum and Dad have survived to tell the tale.



Only minutes after their departure, I got the call from the specialist to say I had an appointment for Wed 14 October at 12noon.

GP visit - October 7

Deirdre came with me to the GP. We discussed what would happen next and the doctor faxed the relevant papers to the specialist. Hard for me to choose a name off a page!
We returned home to await the call from the specialist. None came. That was an unsettling time. In the afternoon, we joined the rest of the family at Hawker. That evening we had a lovely dinner with everyone.

Results - October 6

Tuesday October 6 at 2:30pm
I found out that I had breast cancer. Wow! Big news. Both Rick's and my reaction seemed to be a bit of shock, but a sort of disbelief really. We were calm and they explained the results and what would happen next. I actually needed an operation! There was the realisation that life would change now!
I felt really positive though. I didn't mind the fact that I would need an operation. I wasn't keen on thinking about the possible follow-up treatment though!

Mum and Dad and Deirdre had arrived from Sydney about noon. It was lovely to have them here. They all got a shock when they they heard the news.

Waiting - October Long Weekend

Friday October 2 to Monday October 5
These days were pleasant. I was kept busy with good things to do and supportive people to be with. I had a biopsy wound to take care of, which also kept my mind off the waiting for results!
On Saturday night, I ate lots of curry with friends. Church on Sunday and lunch with Cameron.
We went to Floriade on Monday. The flowers were wonderful. Rick's choir sang, while Bev and I had fun trying to win the flower arranging competition! We got to take all the lovely fresh flowers home, but somehow I don't think either of us win! You can't be good at everything, can you?

Start of a new journey, October 2009

Thursday, October 1
The day started with me going to ACT Breast Screen to have follow- up tests after routine mammogram results, from September 18, came back a little questionable. I had been rung on Tuesday 29 Sept to tell me of the need to clarify the initial findings. This was my first real day of the school holidays!
I took plenty of stuff with me to do as the tests and waiting around would take 4 hours.
I got my Spelling lists done for the term, which was a good start.

The tests involved extra mammograms, ultrasound, examinations by a surgeon and a nurse and then a biopsy ( 3 samples). Everyone was so efficient and caring and the sandwiches were nice.

At the end of the 4 hours, I was told that the results of the biopsy would be available the following Tuesday. They suggested I keep myself occupied with fun things to do and being around supportive people, while I wait! This seemed a long time.

Monday, October 5, 2009

Fun at Floriade 2009


Bev and I had fun entering a flower arranging competition today. We are both sure that we will get the necessary votes to win! Friends need to log in and vote. Looking around, after completing my creation, I couldn't help but notice a few others that may just beat mine!