Day 32: One month and counting

So, yesterday marked the one month anniversary of me knowing about my cancer. I can't even believe how much has happened in the last month.  And...there is so much more to come.  The initial diagnosis and surgery are like the first two miles of a marathon.  They go by fast and you don't even remember them after you've completed the race.  I know have a long road ahead -- and the hardest miles are still yet to come -- but I know I can get to that 26th mile.  It's just so far out ahead, it's not worth thinking about it just yet.  I can only concentrate on the next few miles....which are fertility preservation and beginning my course of chemotherapy. 

Joe and I will definitely have to postpone our trip to Belgium and The Netherlands (he calls it our "Low Countries trip").  We were supposed to leave on December 29 and spend New Year's in Amsterdam.  Instead, I'll be trying my best to preserve my fertility options during that time.  We hope to push back that trip by one or two weeks so that we can still enjoy a European trip prior to me starting on chemotherapy.  I really want us to have that time together so we can have those memories to carry us through the rough patches ahead.  We will make it happen.

In other news, Joe and I ended up hosting a little Christmas party, despite my surgery.  I think it went well.  I clandestinely drank the non-alcoholic beer O'Doul's all night (not as bad as I thought it would be) since not all in attendance knew my health situation.  I have slowly starting to leak the news out to friends who were in attendance now that the party is over. 

It was a last social hurrah before starting chemo.  I'm really glad I did it.  Here are a couple of photos from that party (one of me and Joe, me and Marian, and me and Jenny & Tenaya).  I think people had a good time.

Finally, my post-surgery situation is okay.  I am mobile but the incision point closes to my armpit still hurts the most.  Joe & I went to a movie yesterday and did some holiday errands.  We will meet with the surgeon tomorrow for the post-operation meeting.  I already know the results (one positive lymph node; clean margins, etc), but we will likely get more details about survival rates at that meetings.  We pray for the best.

Peace and Love and Joy and Health