Accommodating to good news

We have spent the past 10 days accommodating to the good news Dr. Brandes gave us at our last visit (see the previous post by Val). Not unlike the first time we met him, he gave us news we were not expecting. It has been odd to experience how unsettling it was to hear that unexpected good news; it was different emotionally than springing into action in response to the shocking news he gave us back in August about the recurring cancer. Then we had something to do in response. This time, it was all emotion and no action.

In fact, I did not believe that Val could escape the final two sessions of chemo or the proposed five weeks of daily radiation. However, a call on Thursday to the office of Dr. Cook, the radiologist, gave Val the confirmation and reassurance she and I both needed.

The nurse (Barb) gave Val enough time to ask all the questions she had and then chased down Dr. Cook, who had consulted with Dr. Brandes on next steps for Val. They concurred Val's body has responded very well to the Taxotere drug, she does not need the last two sessions of chemo, and she will continue with the Herceptin. Once another scan is done in early February, the docs will determine how, or if, to proceed with radiation treatment.

Study: Before

This information lifted our spirits enormously and, while Val continues to suffer (and will continue to suffer into the new year) the side-effects of the Taxotere -- including mind-numbing fatigue, we feel able to get on with daily life.

[One of these days, I will write a column about how healthcare is all about effectively sharing information (I think we call this communication), and how too few doctors seem to have much skill in communicating compassionately. Nurses, in our experience, fill the gap.]

Frank came on Saturday morning and finished laying the cork floor in the yoga space and the study. He was gone before 1pm; then Val and I spent the afternoon sorting out the study, which felt great and resulted in a transformation of that work space we share. 

Study: After

It is bone chillingly cold here: minus 30 with a wind chill that makes it feel colder still. I pulled out my snowpants on Friday to walk to the bus, and yesterday walked to the local library for a stack of books that I had requested.

I seem to be getting back on track with reading; my mother, Anne, recommended a book about a WW II British secret agent who worked with the French Resistance. I couldn't find that one, but I got a bunch of others on that topic -- a favourite interest of mine.

Val and I are looking forward to a day of just hanging out - reading, playing with the cats who are bored out of their tiny minds because they can't go outside, and maybe even watching a matinee episode of Doc Martin.

Enjoy your Sunday. xo