Trip to the Dermatologist

I got up and almost did a little dance, but thought better of it, because I'd be the one to fall down and break something. It has been an amazing few days and we're still absorbing all of it. It's funny but it's still business as usual at MDAnderson. We were at doctor's appointments all day today.

I didn't know this before I started treatment, but after you undergo chemotherapy, there is a very increased likelihood that you will develop a secondary cancer later in life. I discovered that the secondary cancer for breast cancer is leukemia and we've met quite a few women in the clinic that have been afflicted.

It's really not fair that these women have suffered so much already and now they have to deal with this. Since I started treatment I've developed quite a few new freckles and moles and when I talked to Dr. Thomas about it, she set me up with the dermatologist. It seems that my secondary cancer might be skin cancer. The dermatologist thoroughly checked me over and the verdict was good. I was checked over by two dermatologists and a med student and everyone concurred that all was well and that I could expect a few more moles and freckles. Aparently, this happens alot in your thirties as a result of all the sun exposure you got as a kid. Kids, wear sunblock. I'm not kidding. Those weird creases you see in some people's necks--sun damage.

The second appointment also came up with a benign prognosis. It never felt so good to be average. I love to hear no problem these days.

Chris and I are beside ourselves with everything that's going on. Chris used to spend all day on the phone tracking down people who could help and coordinating things at home. Now we have free time and don't know what to do. I can't lie, it feels good to have nothing to do.

I have decided that I need to start excercising and have convinced Chris to take me walking. We do laps in the parking lot to help me build up my stamina. We couldn't go walking yesterday, because it rained all day. So, we decided to make up for it by walking the skybridge at MDA. We managed to do three-quarters of a mile before I got spaghetti legs and had to give in. My alterior motive is that I have to keep my weight down. Since I've started taking certain medications, including steroids, my weight has been all over the place. I have to stay under 68 kilograms. I'm just barely making it these days. I've started modifying my diet and have added the walking. It's hard when you're not as active as you used to be. I promise to become one of those annoying healthy people after this is all over. I just need to make it to the other side.

We have leukemia clinic tomorrow and then I think we're free for the weekend. The post will probably be late tomorrow. I'm sorry about that. But, on the upside, I'm getting my transplant! :)