The Journey Continues

There is a reason why fantasy writers have series of books. It's because the Hero's Journey just keeps on going and going. Today I met with the gyno-oncologist. One of the known factors about the BRCA1 gene is the carrier has an increased probability (35 to 40 per cent greater than the average woman) of developing ovarian cancer. After having an examination and discussing the possible risks, including the early onset of menopause, we have decided to pursue prophylactic surgery to remove the ovaries and uterus.

The biggest issue at hand is, unlike breast cancer, there is no proven screening technology available for ovarian cancer. Too often women who develop this disease discover it too late. Rather than constantly worrying about it and wondering, I've decided to hedge my bets and have it all removed...let's face it, I'm not using it anyway.

My doctor wants to wait until all the radiation is complete and my body has a chance to recover, so it will be late in the year or even early in 2010 before I have surgery. The surgery itself takes two to three hours, with one night in hospital and three to four weeks for complete recovery.

Meanwhile, my co-worker Socrates, is just getting home from a eight-day hospitalization (complete with five blood transfusions) because his body and immune system were too weak to fight a common cold. He's doing better now, but it does go to show the myriad complications and pitfalls a cancer patient faces.

I received a couple of cards yesterday. One was from friends of Rob's family, Irma and Vernie, and my Aunt Pat sent along greetings and included a little angel (whom she asked to watch over me and minimize my hot flashes...hope it works).