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 17th 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.
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