i am so lucky

Sjoe. Got a call from the oncology centre. Why are you coming tomorrow, they asked? 'Cos I have an appointment, 'cos it's my three-monthly check-up and 'cos I had blood tests last week and you, I said to the nurse, surely cannot give me the results.
Why don't you speak to the oncologist and let me know then, I say, you can even tell me tomorrow.
No, I have to take responsibility. That is what he expects. Then he tells me - hope she wasn't lying - that he had just walked past and nodded in agreement. She said my bloods were fine and although my appointment last month was unscheduled - I had had a scare when I found this strange bit of hardness below my left boob which turned out to be nothing, even under an ultrasound scan - it counted as an appointment and now I did not need to come now.
Also, my bloods were fine, she said. Come in February. So we set up and appointment and I am going in, probably tomorrow, to get info re all the tests I need to have before the next appointment: more bloods, a muga and a mammogram.
So I feel blessed but also a little anxious. But then I did have a scan last time, which was last month. And she said she had kept my call for last thing of the day because she knew I would protest. I have to admit I tried to phone back about five minutes later to check that the date we had chosen was ok - did that give me enough time to have a mammogram and a muga? And even now as I sit here writing, I am thinking: isn't February too late, shouldn't I be seeing him in January to make it three-monthly?
Oy ya yoi. Nervous wreck, I am.But so thrilled, am taking a friend out for supper tonight.
And another bit of good news is that saw The Lymph Lady today and my arm was perfect. If only it could settle down, then I could see her less frequently as it really is costing a fortune. But for peace of mind I do need to see her weekly. Costs a lot - get a lot back from medical aid but still need the money to pay upfront each time - but I don't enjoy the anxiety plus it isn't good for me.
I am gonna be fine, gonna be fine, gonna be fine, I am sure.

my scalp is still tender

As I no longer own a brush or comb (nothing to do with the cancer and losing my hair, it's just that I had short, cropped hair for hairs and such items were superfluous), I am seldom in touch with my scalp. That is, I wash it every day with a mild shampoo - the same one I washed my balding hair and stubble when it fell out from the chemo - but do not tug at my hair.
So it was interesting to go to the hairdresser yesterday and notice that my scalp is still super tender. When Carlos just pulled a little on it to put on the highlight mixture, I shrieked. The same when he scrunched my hair with his hand to hold it under the diffuser.
Mmm.. interesting, considering that it is now about 18 months since I finished chemo and have a headful of very healthy looking hair, even if I say so myself. It's bouncy and lekker.

here we go round the mulberry bush, the mulberry bush, the mul...

Oy. Went to see The Lymph Lady today and ....

How many of my postings begin like that. It is becoming tedious, even to me. But yes, I went to see The Lymph Lady today and my arm is up in three places: 2mm at the wrist, 3mm above the elbow and 6mm at the top. All those measurements I have had before. But obviously it's not ideal. Not ideal at all.
She said my arm goes up and down 'cos my weight goes up and down. Am almost 1kg up - so it didn't help to eat the two blocks of blueberry lindt now, first time I have encountered that flavour - but also acknowledged that even skinny people get lymphedema, "the disease" she called it.
So, post blueberry lindt, it's back on a strict strict diet, and gonna pray that my arm gets better.
Flying tomorrow. Just two hours. She said I don't have to wear the compression sleeve but should take it with me to Cape Town, in case. I walked in today saying I wasn't happy with my arm..... I tend to know but often do panic unneccessarily.
Oh, had blood tests today. Nerve-wracking. Have always had a problem with thin veins. Now, post-chemo, it's a bloody nightmare. Plus cannot take blood on my left arm 'cos of the lymphedema risk.
The poor nurse tried twice in the crook of my elbow, then in my hand. I have cotton-wool stuck with plaster all over. Now just have to pray that all goes well with the tests. Seeing the oncologist next week for my three-monthly appointment.
Oh, and had my hair cut. Still kinda growing it but nipped it at the neck and thinned it out and had more highlights put in. Post-chemo, when it grew out, it had a grey tinge. Now that is gone and no grey hairs at all.