Day 273: Gone but not forgotten - or maybe

When I was awake in the night on Tuesday (thanks to a hot flush that seemed to last nearly an hour), I realised that I need to get a compression sleeve for my upcoming long haul flight. How's that for a reminder of the steps taken to remove the cancer? I talked to Claire (Breastcare nurse) about it and she told me I need a proper fitting so she gave me contact details for the nurses who do it. When I rang on Wednesday, they had just had a cancellation, so I'm in to see Theresa next Tuesday to get fitted.  Man am I glad I remembered that.

As I'm contemplating getting my right breast removed as well as having an oopherectomy (removal of ovaries), I asked Claire how I would proceed. She said to come see her when I get back from holidays and she'll walk me through the pros and cons. I can then take my decision to Dr. Andrew, who is not keen on discussing prophylactic mastectomies unless the patient understands the risks. I'm not certain as to what I want so a discussion with Claire will be useful.

I rang today and made my one year mammogram and ultrasound appointment for 9th September, the exact anniversary of my diagnosis. I figured it would be a fitting way to spend part of the day. I also rang Dr. Andrew's office to book in my follow on discussion regarding my expander and the other surgical stuff. His receptionist told me that he is booked out until December and he didn't have time for new patients. She found me an appoitment when I told her that he had removed my breast and put the expander in (!). Unbelievable.

Remie told me tonight, out of the blue and in a light-hearted way, that she would "fall to bits" if I were to die (I can't at all remember what prompted it, but I don't think we were discussing anything related). I told her I wasn't planning on going anytime soon and I thought she was better suited to being whole. She lost a tooth today so was very excited. Happily I remembered so the contents of her tooth box have been swapped.

Alex and I watched a special report on in-home palliative care. The story was of a local woman who lost her battle with mulpile Myleoma and wanted to die at home. She seemed to be an amazing woman who surrounded herself with family and friends and chose how she wanted to go.  Beautiful.