A s-tressssssss-ful morning

Good write fast 'cos doing this from work which isn't really allowed and gonna begin at the end, to allay fears.
I arrived at the oncology centre mid-morning today, with the report of my chest x-ray and abdominal and pelvic sonar done earlier this morning.
"Look here," I said to the nurse behind the reception desk. "It says I should have a transvaginal ultrasound or MRI. Can I have it today? (my one sister's genius idea)"
The nurse took the report - both written and graphic - to The Tango Man. He saw it pretty quickly, I must say, because he was busy. She came back, sat next to me (by that stage I was rigid with fear) and said: "Dr XXX is not concerned and says you musn't be concerned either".
So I'm ok, I guess. Oh, he did say I must see my gynae but I am, on March 5, Seeing The Tango Man on Monday. My blood test results were not through yet. But have to trust that if he thought it was cancer, he would surely have sent me for the recommended scan/MRI.
Dunno.
This is the hassle. Ultrasound of abdomen found a cyst, either on uterus or ovaries. Of irregular shape. Haemorrhaging inside.
This is what report said: " A space occupying lesion with heterogenous echotexture is identified not clearly separable from the uterine fundus and left adnexa measuring 4.4 x 3 x 2.6cm. This represents a new finding following the previous ultrasound examination and a gynaecological evaluation and/or further imaging with transvaginal ultrasound or MRI is recommended.
"No other focal abdominopelvic visceral lesion is detected."
My trachea, heart, aorta, lung, liver, gallbladder, pancreas, kidneys, spleen, bladder are all perfect - although the liver "measures at the upper limit of the normal range" and shows " steatosis". That means it's fatty. teh Tango Man had told me previously that is from the meds. And is fine.
Tamoxifen can cause endometrial cancer. Hence my panic. Hence my seeing the gynae every 6 months for a test re this.....
Glad Dance Umnrella is opening tonight and I am invited. Can't wait!  

this is a very important day for me

Had my final herceptin treatment today. And it wasn't too bad. Got a vein which worked after only one abortive attempt (veins are messed, always been bad and now post chemo which burns your veins it's even worse and, with the threat of lymphedema in my left hand, can only use my right hand).

Anyway.....had the day off work cos worked the late shift on Saturday so said I would come in early. So arrived at 12. Bought cakes - little ones - for the nurses and other staff at the oncology centre, but had thought of waiting for all my tests. But then decided it was worth celebrating every milestone. And finally reaching July 4 2010, the day of my 17th and last herceptin, the preventative treatment.

Now just have to pray that it worked, that, as The Yoga Man said today, "Let's hope it all becomes a distant memory".

On August 10, I am scheduled to have a chest and abdominal scan, a muga scan , which is done in nuclear medicine and tests the rate at which the heart emits and is being done to see if the herceptin has affected my heart. The other scans are to see if it has affected my lungs, and if it has affected my abdominal area, ie, if it has spread. And I need to have blood tests.

I am amazed to say that I thought I had not had an abdominal scan prior to starting treatment. Well, I had. The receptionist today showed me the results of my tests - everything was clear. I remember reading that but didn't register that it was the abdominal area. That was on January 21 2009.

Anyway, then on August 11 I see The Tango Man. At 14.45pm. Then, although I will have opened all the envelopes to read the results, I will find out if I am ok.

PS: The nurses said one client was so excited to have finished her herceptin treatment that she sang the national anthem. I guess it is a prayer, the anthem, God Bless Africa.