Tired and Grateful

 My brain is tired tonight. Let me tell you about today.

Bev drove me to Tulsa this morning to my appointment with Muse Intimates for a mastectomy bra fitting. There was much more to it than I had imagined—an hour and a half’s worth. The initial measurements were repeated for each bra and prosthetic she had me try. Let me make it clear: I was not picky; the professional bra fitter was. She was super nice and oh so patient, wanting to make sure I had exactly the right fit that was also comfortable. To my surprise, she told me that Medicare plus Medicare supplement (I have both) will cover six bras and one prosthetic for year one. She prefers to do four bras (plus prosthetic, of course) at the initial fitting, so that’s what I got. Within a year, I can go in for two more, and thereafter, Medicare pays for two bras every two years.

Because it was the store’s 17^th anniversary, I received a gift bag. The mesh bag for washing bras and the toiletry bag for traveling are nice. I do not want to divulge the other items, rated X, which were geared to young women with husbands or partners. Those I tossed.

We got back to Bartlesville two hours before my next appointment, so Bev and I enjoyed the yummy salad she had made along with wide-ranging conversation. She dropped me off for my 2:45 pm appointment at Bartlesville OCSRI (Oklahoma Cancer Specialists and Research Institute), where I had blood drawn and an educational visit with my ARNP, Mezha.

Because my surgeon, Dr. Flynn, had told me that recent research shows that there is no risk of having blood drawn from the arm on the same side as a lumpectomy or mastectomy, I gladly offered my right arm for the first time in eight years. You see, my left arm has lousy veins and usually requires multiple sticks before a suitable vein is found. The phlebotomist quickly located a vein and had the needle in before I knew it. I was so impressed!

Then came my appointment with Mezha, who is a delightful person. She shared LOTS of information with me and answered my questions clearly. Plus, I gladly received all of it in writing in a notebook that OCSRI gives patients. I guess I know what I will do during chemo tomorrow.

As lousy as it is facing chemo again (and I could lose my hair as soon as ten days from tomorrow), all the OCSRI staff make it less so because of their upbeat attitudes, kindness, and professionalism. After my appointment, I called Bev, and she got there within ten minutes. During that brief window of time, my chemo nurse for tomorrow came out to the front where I was waiting, introduced herself, and checked with me to make sure I took my steroid prescription today.

I think my brain is tired from change and new experiences, from appointments and new information, and from being away from home for eight hours today. I almost didn’t write, but then realized I would regret it later if I let this big day go by without writing.

I am grateful today to a friend who gave up her whole day to get me to my appointments; for the capable, friendly fitter at Muse; for bras to wear paid for by Medicare; and for the staff at OCSRI.  I am grateful that I have excellent medical care and support for my chemotherapy treatment. I am grateful for the free hats I picked up at Hopestone Cancer Support Center yesterday. I am grateful for the meals Hopestone provides weekly and for the meals my church supplies the occasional week when Hopestone does not. I am grateful for the weekly housekeeping from Elder Care. I am grateful for my family and friends who love me and pray for me. And, of course, I am grateful for my Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ.

On this night before chemotherapy begins, I am a bit anxious, knowing how hard the next few months will be from its side effects. I pray I will be able to sense the comfort of the Holy Spirit amid my days and nights, though I know by faith that God is seeing me through.