this dog may be a surrogate child until we either have child (obviously weighing pros and cons) after a specified amount of time set by our doctor (she believes that my situation won’t mean no children) or adopt a child. Obviously we need to get through surgery first, then treatment, then wait a specified amount of time and then decide, with our doctor, what our options are and what is best for us and our dog.
I have been told many of my female friends that they have done a self breast exam. This is a good thing.
For those wanting to know how to perform a self-breast exam, click here.
So one of my favorite distractions bc (before cancer) was to play Scramble on Facebook. I usually play Kim or Ann. And when talking to Gerard after my diagnosis, he said if I ever need anything to let him know even if it is 2am and I want to play Scramble, he will let me win.
So I challenged Kim to a game and I also challenged Gerard and Kim to a game. So Kim decides to play an amazing board and gets a new high score of 257 (I was ahead of her prior to that board with a 214). WTF? I emailed her, “KIM I HAVE CANCER YOU HAVE TO LET ME WIN!” To which she replied, “NEVER!!!!!!!!!!!!” Me: “Wow you are hard core. And so mean.” Kim: “Tough love, Liz, tough love.”
Wow – no love for me there.
And Gerard who said he would do whatever I needed hasn’t even started the game. He is too busy playing Mafia Wars then to help me out.
Unbelievable.
[Update: After talking to Gerard in person this weekend, he has played some games. He also bought me carrot cake cupcakes.]
I was out with BFD (Best Friend Debbie) who was in town for MATH CAMP. Seriously, she was at a math camp for teachers. We had fun catching up and talking about things and clapping.
We were out at the Burren (just drinking since B got food poisoning from there) and we heard the best team name “Jon Minus Nine”. Very clever.
I realized that I may be an 8 or 9 year old at heart as she gave me a math problem and I could barely hold a conversation while doing it. So as a rare treat I will present themath problem that BFD was given in class. Please note that BFD got them all correct. I had some hints.
Using only the following operators: +, -, (), √, ÷, x
2 2 2 = 6
3 3 3 = 6
4 4 4 = 6
5 5 5 = 6
6 6 6 = 6
7 7 7 = 6
8 8 8 = 6
9 9 9 = 6
If anyone else has word or math problems that can distract me - send them my way. Not too difficult seeing as the 8s in this problem gave me trouble.
As of right now we have a tentative date for August 7. Interestingly enough I have one friend due August 5 and another due August 6. But none of them are getting twins – just me!
We will confirm the date at our apointment with Dr. Guo on July 7.
I don’t get the big deal about scheduling the appointment, I know at Seattle Grace the surgeries are on a big white board and the chief just comes by and erases surgeries to make room for others. I know that Dr. Yang was able to just add herself to surgeries with Burke – why can’t the Brigham/Faulkner just add me to the board?
Dr. Lifei Guo: My plastic surgeon with a very impressive resume
So prior to us beginning the journey of tests and doctors appointments, our favorite niece Kristen and her boytoy Jonathan decided to visit us up here in Boston. Yay! We love having visitors!! Unfortunately for them, the trip was coinciding with our results appointment.
I sent an awkward email about it and stressed (via bold and large font) that we still really wanted them to come up. And in the end, I think it was the best thing for us. Having them here forced us to go out, have fun, and live life. And sometimes we need to be pushed into these things and realize that this is our new reality and we have to figure out how to live in world in which I have cancer. It sucks but what are you going to do?
We had made plans to meet up with them downtown on Friday night and we couldn’t break the plans. SO off we went and had a good time. I know that myself, Brendan and Kristen had too much of a good time on Friday night. I was just diagnosed with cancer – I don’t know what their excuse was…oh for Kristen it may have been the shot I got her. Seriously, at the end of the night do not send me to the bar okay?
We also went to Fenway and saw the Braves get beaten by the Red Sox. That was fun because the crowd was really into “Sweet Caroline” which is always fun for a first time visitor to Fenway.
All in all I am glad they came and provided us with some support the first few days of the news. Thanks for visiting and come again!
Please take a moment and answer the poll below. We will take the top 8 responses and have a follow up poll to assess who is the best doctor. The poll will stay open through the weekend and we will have round 2 next week.
Bonus points if you can find the reference for all of the “doctors” listed in the poll.
The plastic surgeon’s schedule dictates the surgery date. We did meet with Dr. Carter today and she is very nice. We felt very comfortable with her as she answered all of the questions related to the surgery and then some. After she went through the surgery and confirmed my double masectomy decision (no push back like Ann got so far) I had to sign a consent form. She pointed out that I am saying it is okay for a blood transfusion even though the need is very small. Brendan uses this opportunity to say he is O – and the universal donor. I said I am O + and can’t receive his blood. We then debate this for about 2 minutes and then look to Dr. Carter to tell us who is right. She hesitated for a moment and I thought to myself “Oh my God. She doesn’t know and she is an idiot.” Dr. Carter then slowly told us Brendan was right. I think she was hesitant to get in the middle of our discussion. WHATEVER!
Prior to Dr. Carter entering the room, B and I had a debate about whether a 10 millimeters was equal to 1 centimeter. I said 1 millieter is one thousandth of a meter and 1 centimeter is one onehundredth of a meter. He thought 1 millimeter was one one-millionth of meter. I was right on that one.
Seriously if there was a fly on the wall, it would think we were crazy.