Nov 19, 2014
Well I'm an idiot! I forgot to mention two other really important things discussed at my visit to BCSC. The first being that they have a specialised team that do breast canser follow up care. When I was asking Dr Taylor about the whole "no more oncologist" thing, and telling her how freaked out I was, she told me about this team. She said I could be followed if I chose, by this team of doctors and that they follow up on the whole person - not just the physical body. I could see a nutritionist (if I didn't already have my BFF taking care of me!!) as well as a psychologist for survivorship. There is also a course they offer that addresses survivorship issues but they only have a few spots so I put my name on the list but I won't know if I made it until they have dates settled. It's one Kelly wants to take as well. It would be amazing if we could take it together! I think the next one will start sometime in March.
The other thing discussed was my kids. Emmy & Ethan have been having a tough time since the surgery. Acting out. Ethan has even had a few nightmares. Those are definitely NOT fun. He wakes up screaming most of the time with tears flowing down his cheeks. I don't seem to be able to console him and it's heartbreaking to hold your child as they shake and cry. We have been trying to see if they are night terrors or nightmares but so far haven't been successful in figuring out which they are. Either way it sucks.
ALOT.
So I asked if BCSC had any child psychologists who could just evaluate them both to make sure they were doing OK and that me and Phil are addressing any issues the way we should be and any tips they might offer. Dr Taylor said they did but probably be into January for an appointment. Yikes. I put our name on the list.
So the specialised team I will be seeing for the next 5 years put my mind even more at ease. And knowing my kids would get looked at to make sure they were doing OK put my heart at ease.
The following Wednesday I got to finally meet with my Kinda Handsome surgeon. It was almost a month post Op and I felt relaxed and was looking forward to seeing him. Although this time I filled out my Thank You card ahead of time - expecting it to be my last visit.
I was pleasantly surprised.
First off-the first thing he asked was if I was told my results yet (pathology) from surgery. When he found out my oncologist had told me about the complete response the previous week, he was super disappointed.
"I wanted to be the one to tell you. It's not often I get to deliver such good news".
He looked overjoyed! Which let me have another round of inner happy dancing.
Then more good news:
"So is this the last time I'll see you?"
"Nope, you're stuck with me probably till long after you're sick of me. You'll follow up with me for the next few years".
I think he made my (next) year with those words!
He said we could meet again in about 3 months to see how the plastic surgeon wait list was going. Ya, he put me on the wait list to meet a plastic surgeon for reconstruction!
"Where in the city do you live? What hospital is most convenient?"
"Wherever the best plastic surgeon lives. If you tell me he or she is in Red Deer, we'll go there".
He laughed and said there were a few really great ones and "Would he ever send you to anyone but the best?".
Do you see why he's so endearing? Although he did help to save my life, so he could probably say or do just about anything and I'd still think he was awesome lol.
The other thing he told me was I was Ok to pick up Ethan. Like literally pick Ethan up! He had been asking since surgery when I could pick him up again (I wasn't allowed to lift more than 5lbs until I got the surgeon's OK) and my heart ached every time he asked someone else in my presence to pick him up cause he'd wrap his little arms around them and give them a big ol Ethan hug that I love. I don't know who missed it more - me or him. I was also given the green light to get back to Zumba, as I felt up to it...All systems go!
After a Thank You hug and more blushing (him) when I mentioned my blog and my "Kinda Handsome surgeon" he asked if I would be open to him passing on my contact info for future patients that he thought could benefit from being in touch with me. I think he meant my positive attitude etc so of course I told him no problem. My oncologist nurse actually had asked me the same thing - I was touched. When my nurse navigator Edith heard he asked me that she said "wow that's not something he usually does" so it made me feel a little like I must be handling things ok - even if the odd time I've cried when up there lol.
So we left his office and I was giddy.
He's going to follow me.
I'm not losing Team Guardian Angel. It's just changing.
I'm very good with that.
PS When I told Ethan that the doctor said I could pick him up his whole face lit up and he's asked me to pick him up at least once a day since. I in turn am grateful that I can pick him up and cherish each time he's in my arms giving me that fierce hug I have missed so much....
Well I'm an idiot! I forgot to mention two other really important things discussed at my visit to BCSC. The first being that they have a specialised team that do breast canser follow up care. When I was asking Dr Taylor about the whole "no more oncologist" thing, and telling her how freaked out I was, she told me about this team. She said I could be followed if I chose, by this team of doctors and that they follow up on the whole person - not just the physical body. I could see a nutritionist (if I didn't already have my BFF taking care of me!!) as well as a psychologist for survivorship. There is also a course they offer that addresses survivorship issues but they only have a few spots so I put my name on the list but I won't know if I made it until they have dates settled. It's one Kelly wants to take as well. It would be amazing if we could take it together! I think the next one will start sometime in March.
The other thing discussed was my kids. Emmy & Ethan have been having a tough time since the surgery. Acting out. Ethan has even had a few nightmares. Those are definitely NOT fun. He wakes up screaming most of the time with tears flowing down his cheeks. I don't seem to be able to console him and it's heartbreaking to hold your child as they shake and cry. We have been trying to see if they are night terrors or nightmares but so far haven't been successful in figuring out which they are. Either way it sucks.
ALOT.
So I asked if BCSC had any child psychologists who could just evaluate them both to make sure they were doing OK and that me and Phil are addressing any issues the way we should be and any tips they might offer. Dr Taylor said they did but probably be into January for an appointment. Yikes. I put our name on the list.
So the specialised team I will be seeing for the next 5 years put my mind even more at ease. And knowing my kids would get looked at to make sure they were doing OK put my heart at ease.
The following Wednesday I got to finally meet with my Kinda Handsome surgeon. It was almost a month post Op and I felt relaxed and was looking forward to seeing him. Although this time I filled out my Thank You card ahead of time - expecting it to be my last visit.
I was pleasantly surprised.
First off-the first thing he asked was if I was told my results yet (pathology) from surgery. When he found out my oncologist had told me about the complete response the previous week, he was super disappointed.
"I wanted to be the one to tell you. It's not often I get to deliver such good news".
He looked overjoyed! Which let me have another round of inner happy dancing.
Then more good news:
"So is this the last time I'll see you?"
"Nope, you're stuck with me probably till long after you're sick of me. You'll follow up with me for the next few years".
I think he made my (next) year with those words!
He said we could meet again in about 3 months to see how the plastic surgeon wait list was going. Ya, he put me on the wait list to meet a plastic surgeon for reconstruction!
"Where in the city do you live? What hospital is most convenient?"
"Wherever the best plastic surgeon lives. If you tell me he or she is in Red Deer, we'll go there".
He laughed and said there were a few really great ones and "Would he ever send you to anyone but the best?".
Do you see why he's so endearing? Although he did help to save my life, so he could probably say or do just about anything and I'd still think he was awesome lol.
The other thing he told me was I was Ok to pick up Ethan. Like literally pick Ethan up! He had been asking since surgery when I could pick him up again (I wasn't allowed to lift more than 5lbs until I got the surgeon's OK) and my heart ached every time he asked someone else in my presence to pick him up cause he'd wrap his little arms around them and give them a big ol Ethan hug that I love. I don't know who missed it more - me or him. I was also given the green light to get back to Zumba, as I felt up to it...All systems go!
After a Thank You hug and more blushing (him) when I mentioned my blog and my "Kinda Handsome surgeon" he asked if I would be open to him passing on my contact info for future patients that he thought could benefit from being in touch with me. I think he meant my positive attitude etc so of course I told him no problem. My oncologist nurse actually had asked me the same thing - I was touched. When my nurse navigator Edith heard he asked me that she said "wow that's not something he usually does" so it made me feel a little like I must be handling things ok - even if the odd time I've cried when up there lol.
So we left his office and I was giddy.
He's going to follow me.
I'm not losing Team Guardian Angel. It's just changing.
I'm very good with that.
PS When I told Ethan that the doctor said I could pick him up his whole face lit up and he's asked me to pick him up at least once a day since. I in turn am grateful that I can pick him up and cherish each time he's in my arms giving me that fierce hug I have missed so much....
Walking on Sunshine by Katrina and The Waves (YouTube)
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