Sonoma

A) A place in California.

B) William’s online shop where you are certain to spend way too much on posh Kitchen equipment that’s oh so pretty.

C) A fluid filled pocket that can develop after surgery. The cause is unclear, but if treatment is required – it consists of simply sticking a hypodermic needle into the sonoma and sucking out the liquid. You know, the opposite of making an eclair. (Did I just ruin eclairs for anyone?) #evilglutenfreelaugh

*edited to add that the actual medical term is “seroma” but I didn’t even notice the difference until a friend pointed out my misspelling. Spelling is note me strung soot.

Nadir

A) losing your keys 10 minutes after you found them (after searching everywhere for two days).

B) the lowest point of a valley in contrast to the highest peak in the mountain range.

C) a medical term describing the period between chemo treatments where your immune system is at its lowest but you’ll still be hungry for the tamales at one of your favorite local restaurants.

Chemo

A) Elmo’s fuzzy cousin who is a not-very-pleasant shade of green.

B) The key ring marked “Mo” for the candy apple red 1956 Morgan in the garage. (Hey, I can dream.)

C) When you are contractually bound to put a pink ribbon on your car and purchase a bevy of pink clothing that opens up the front for easy port access. Don’t forget the pink shoes – and you get extra credit if the shoes are pink crocs!

Fever

A) The point at which everyone around you loses their minds and says that a fever of 100.7 means you absolutely must get to the ER to be around sick people post haste.

B) When you get roundly scolded by the oncology nurse for taking one Tylenol and going to bed… even though that’s not generally bad advice. Mask your face, but not your symptoms!

C) When your remarkable Austrian spends some quality time in the seventh level of phone hell trying to find a warm body in the Sentara loop who will actually connect him to the oncologist on call…

Chemo Rash

A) When a surprise zit convention is held on your face and neck and reminds you of your traumatic adolescent skin all over again.

B) See point A + prom

C) See point A + school photos

In conclusion, I saw Dr Surgeon today who thought there may be a sonoma from my lymph node surgery (it’s pretty inconclusive), but it does not require intervention at this time. Good!

I have entered the Nadir stage of this first round of chemo, my blood work looks great. I’m feeling a little achy and low energy, but pretty good considering they threw the medicinal kitchen sink at this starfish.

I had a tiny little fever over the weekend and refused to go to the ER. I have been roundly scolded and efforts were made to frighten me, but let me be clear. I am the expert in me. I knew I was ok. And, the bloodwork came back showing that all is well. So I am vindicated and will therefore be perfectly intolerable from here on out!

God bless my Austrian. Y’all say a prayer for him. We are so well matched. His stubbornness is only barely outclassed by my fierceness.

Be yourself, friend. Nobody else would know how.

Sending so much love your way!

Carmen

Here’s a comprehensive collection of breast cancer terminology (and there is A LOT) that you might find helpful: Breast Cancer Glossary.