Blood work and Barolo

Because I am in a clinical trial, I am getting much more testing than I would otherwise, and that’s good. Yesterday I had a CT scan and today I had an EKG and bloodwork. After the testing I had my first appointment with my gynecological oncologist since my surgery. I knew he would have my CT scan results and I was a bit nervous. What is there was new cancer growth? What if things didn’t look right? My fears were not realized. The scan was fine and my meeting with Dr. T was great. His confidence and optimism was infectious. I pulled out my list of questions and we went through everything. Jerry, my husband had some questions as well, and both of us left feeling far more confident of what lies ahead. Still being in pre-chemo week, we thought it would be fun to go to one of our favorite neighborhood restaurants, Rachel, for half-price wine night. We had a really nice Barolo. Italian wine loves food, and we ate simple flatbreads loaded with vegetables and comforting, gooey cheese. Gary, the owner, came and joined us for a bit. We poured him a glass of the Barolo, that got better as it got more air and as we got a little tipsy. The wine and dinner was lovely, but the highlight was talking to a friend of a friend who was treated for ovarian cancer 13 years ago with no recurrence. That information alone made my heart soar. But Anne had so much more information and inspiration to impart. Acupuncture sounds like a must, and bringing a comfortable shawl or scarf during chemo is perhaps more important than it might sound here. But perhaps most important, was talking to someone who has had ovarian cancer. I know absolutely no one who has been through it. I can’t express how important talking to her was. it made me feel less alone. She also encouraged me to encourage Jerry to seek out help for caregivers. We are both going through this and it has turned our life upside down. But, as trite and cliched as it sounds, our strength, determination and optimism will get us through.

Comments

  1. oatmeal girlFebruary 3, 2018 at 9:22 AM

    I'm so glad you found someone who'd had ovarian cancer. I did NOT know or meet anyone else whom I knew to have had melanoma, and it made me feel very isolated. Plus back then (1989), people were still talking about The Big C. I actually found myself wishing I had breast cancer, so I could be part of the club. One reason I like to be open about my assorted conditions is in the hope that I can be supportive for someone else.

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  2. Helen SzablyaFebruary 3, 2018 at 1:44 PM

    Definitely talking to people who have been through it is helpful! I continue to be referred by Mercy Medical to those who are contemplating undergoing the HIPEC surgery (some of whom have ovarian cancer) to talk to them about it -- answer questions and allay fears as much as possible.

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