Time...It's on My Side. - Sex~Kitten.net

Did you ever notice how much people obsess over time. Everything has a time to it. You have to be at work at a certain time, your children, if you have them, have to be at school and activities at a certain time. The baby has to be fed at a certain time. Crap! It's time to clean the house. Time to pay the bills! It's time to start dinner! Bath time for the kiddies! Story time before bed! When you think about it, us women, as well as some men, just don't have time for anything else.

We don't have time to do our nails, or fix tht broken fence latch. We don't have time to actually 'play' with our kids or enjoy them, (I hear that's what grand-children are for) hell, we don't even have time for sex. And honestly, there ain't nothin' like sex. It just feels good. To be blunt, if I may, (and I will because I can) just what the hell is wrong with or making time for feeling good?!

In July of this year, I was diagnosed with invasive ductal carcinoma. Thats a mouthful, hey? For those not medical savvy, that's breast cancer. Talk about a freakin' hit of reality! I knew what it was, when after a routine mammogram, they whisked me away to have an ultrasound done on my right breast. Well, since I once had worked in the medical field, I new that with ultrasounds, black is good, but a white blob is bad. My blob was white, with these spokey things coming out of it.

I knew it was cancer before they even biopsied it. All I knew, is that I wanted this 'thing', whatever it was, to be out of MY body!

In know, because I've been there, the first thing that you think is, Fuck, I'm going to die. Yeah, yeah, I said a dirty word, get over it. Anyway, I can guarantee, the only word you will hear is CANCER.

You'll look over your shoulder, look back at your doctor and think; Are you talking to me?

Then comes the anger, you want to reach across that desk and rip the doc's heart out

Now the emotions kick in, watch out, here come the tears and the why me's.

The next thing you know, you are walking out of the doc's office, (I'm hoping you are not alone) leaning on the person who is with you..feeling as though your life is over.

Soon you are referred to an oncologist. That's a doc who treats cancer. Not just breast cancer, though there are some specialists. My doc is a specialist in breast cancer and it's treatment. And frankly, I think every woman (or man, yes, men too can get breast cancer) deserve to have the very best. If you don't feel comfortable with the one you were referred to, get another one. And keep going until you find the one that fits YOU! Your going through a very difficult and emotional time, the last thing you need is a doc you think is an asshole. Keep looking till you find the one thats right for you!

This doc will examine you and give you his thoughts on what he thinks is the best course of treatment for the type of cancer you have. Not all cancers are the same. (We'll get to all that in coming articles.) Usually (80%) of the time, he or she will recommend a lumpectomy with radiation, or the lumpectomy with chemo and radiation. Most times, those women having lymph nodes that are positive, will receive systemic (chemo) therapy. Systemic, meaning it goes through your entire body. Now off you are sent to yet see another doctor.

This one is the surgeon who will remove the lump and save as much breast as he can. He will schedule you to have surgery as soon a possible. However, there are other options, again, depending on the type, location and stage of your tumor. Both your oncologist and your surgeon will go over all of this with you.

And remember, educate yourself. Go to the library, or go on the internet. There are many sites out here offering good solid information. One of my favorites is BreastCancer.Org. They have informative articles that are not all medical terminolgy and you can understand them, message boards, even chat rooms.

Beleive me, educating yourself is the best thing you can do.

That way, you know your making the right decisions for yourself and your recovery. Also, ASK QUESTIONS. That's what your doc's are for. If they don't know the answer, most are pretty up front and honest about it, and I guarnatee, they will find you the answer. These are men and women highly trained in the treatment and recovery of cancer, and they are extremely sensitive to what you are going through. U se them, that's what your paying them for! And, it will ease your mind.

I know that this all seems to happen so fast. You have a gazillion things running through your head. My advice, follow your gut and listen to your heart. Do what YOU think is best. Not what anyone else tells you. YOU make the decisions. Not your mother, or father, your friends, significant other or spouse. YOU!, and you alone must do what is right for YOU! But with breast cancer, hell for any cancer, 'time' is of the essence. The quicker you can get that beast out of you, the quicker the doc's can put you on the road to recovery.

Next time I'll give you my insight on what surgery and recovery from that entails. For now, take a bit of 'time', 5 little minutes, go outside and take a deep breath. Or hug your kids. Give that knowing look to your spouse or significant other. You can surely take 5 little minutes for that, can't ya? Later taters..it's time for this survivor to go pamper the 'kitty' for a little while. ;-)