I haven't been posting anything much lately. I've been too busy going to doctors and undergoing scans and blood draws, so now here is a condensed update.

Just a few words starting at the beginning. Since December 2, 2013�The memorable midnight call from my GP: Go to the ER, NOW! I had 2 CT Scans; chest and abdomen. Admitted to the hospital for one day then released to go home.

My GP then ordered many visits to the lab, more scans: diagnosis-blood clot in the left lung, necessitating numerous appointments at the Infusion Center, for abdominal injections of Lovenox.. I am prescribed Coumadin, which caused a kidney bleed. GP refers me to a Kidney Specialist. No real problem, just taken off of Coumadin. GP recommends a Hemo specialist, who prescribes a blood thinner. Next, GP says there is a reason for this, and we WILL find it. She recommends a mammogram. (I had stopped having mammos several tears ago, thinking they were no longer necessary at my age.) So I had a routine mammo, followed by a mammo Ultrasound, which showed a mass. GP refers me to a surgeon. I meet with the surgeon, who does a more definitive Ultrasound scan which indicates there is a lump. A second even more precise Ultrasound scan indicates it is cancer. Surgeon suggests a Lumpectomy. GP and I agree, and on July 31, that is done; it is very, very small. The current treatment for this is a PILL, not radiation/chemo. Note: pill (Anastrozole) is only if you are post-menopausal. It is causing some side effects, mainly trouble sleeping, and being very tired. I have an appointment this coming Monday and will talk to the doctor about that. My GP is the best physician I have ever had, and her 33 years in practice has given her the knowledge, determination and the desire to use it for her patients.

Finding that I have cancer has been a complete shock/surprise and I would never have dreamed of having such a problem, after all these years. The lesson I would like to pass on to others is to never ignore any, however small, indication of something new that might be happening with your body. In my case I should not have stopped having mammos, and I should not have ignored the slight swelling in my left leg, a while back.

All in all, I am doing great and even my on-going spinal problems have eased up. AND! My DD and I have come to another agreement . . . I am using the walker, except inside the house, where holding on to chairs, etc. is practical and safe, and a lot simpler than dragging it around the kitchen. I do leave it beside my bed at night, and use it in early mornings. The agreement is if I promise to use the walker for outside walks, which for me is 1/3 mile around the block, she will cancel the Alert Button!! I agreed and she did!

Another big YIPPEE!!

Sue