Caroline's Breast Cancer Blog

Solitude      Almost every year I take a week off from work to attend an educational genetics conference.  I go to get continuing education units to keep my board certification current and to spend a few days with old friends.  This year our conference was in Salt Lake City.  If you've never been to Utah, consider putting it on your bucket list.  The mountains are so beautiful and there are interesting sites to see...the Mormon Temple and Tabernacle, as well as, the Family History Library.        The mountains in the surrounding area have great ski resorts.  Earlier this season, Wynn and I went to Lake Tahoe hoping to get in a few days of downhill skiing, but when we got there, there was no snow.  None.  Nada.  Instead we hiked, worked out at a local rec center and took in a yoga class.  So...when I had the opportunity to get a couple days of skiing in before my conference, I Vicki couldn't pa...

     This morning I had an appointment for CT scans of my chest, abdomen and pelvis.   Unexpectedly, I slept pretty well last night.  In the past, the night before my CT scans is usually sleepless.  I suppose I didn't chase sleep because I've been feeling more confident about my cancer status lately.   A patient's perspective...I'm going in...      Unlike my previous CT scans, which were ordered with IV contrast only, this time my oncologist added oral contract.  CT scans with IV contrast illuminate vessels and organs, within the abdominal cavity and pelvis region, with greater detail.  Since I have a PowerPort implanted in my chest, I don't need to do anything special prior to getting scanned because the contrast dye is injected directly into my port by the CT tech.  IV contrast is a fairly benign event, except that when it goes in, there's a distinct warming sensation that travels through my body.  Th...

             I've posted this photo before.  This sapling is growing out of an old stump and is my metaphor for the continuation of life.   I see a delicate young sapling with it's roots safely protected by the wood and deep roots of an old tree.  As corny as it is...I think the symbolism is beautiful.       This past week, our niece, Jayme, and her husband, Andy, had their first baby.   Meet Asher Reid!   Isn't he BEAUTIFUL!            Well done, Jayme and Andy!  Mazel tov to Asher's grandparents, Bob, Eudice, Dick and Nancy.  Hearty congratulations to uncles and aunts, Larry, Leslie, Harold, Caitlin, Jenny and Jon.