What I shared on Facebook on Friday 07th May 2021 as my Cancer Journal Number 3.
These cancer journals were my ongoing strategy of keeping people up to date without having to share the same information again and again. I would write, and then I would get specific friends to act as beta readers, and that was helpful. Then I would post to Facebook, send the same message by email, What’s App, SMS, etc. It saved a lot of emotional energy for me, and that was becoming vital.
⭐ Cancer Journal ⭐
Friday 07th May 2021 (3)
After seeing the specialist (Robert) on Wednesday, he has sent me for more tests.
My handy “chauffeur” took me straight to my GP to get the blood work done after the appointment on Wednesday, and today I had a Contrast-Enhanced Mammogram (CEM).
A CEM is a 3D mammogram, similar to what I had at Maroondah Hospital on April 22nd 2021, but this time they injected me with contrast dye (through a quick infusion in my arm).
The dye is iodine, so now we know I am not allergic to iodine, and that I don’t have any quirky reactions to it. It’s the same dye they use for MRI and CT contrast scans.
CEM
In hindsight, I think part of the reason that the vascular dilation didn’t disturb me was that friends had warned me about it! I was wearing some Modi Bodi underwear to give me a sense of security.
Also, the woman doing the mammogram was amazing. I had used my medical statement, and she literally could talk me through the sensations to pretty much the second.
It causes a “vascular dilation”: basically, for me, I felt a burn in my throat and down my lungs, my hands warmed up, and my fingertips tingled. I also had a warm flush through my genital region – and yep, the closest thing I can compare it to was losing control of my bladder or perhaps an orgasm without any of the pleasure, if that makes sense? It’s basically the same physiological response, vascular dilation of the genitals. Anyway, the radiologist couldn’t tell me, so if anyone knows, feel free to confirm or deny, and show your workings, lol! (No, not like that, don’t send photos!!).
Next steps.
My next appointment is with the specialist on the 20th.
At this stage, we don’t have information on the HER2 receptors. We do know that my cancer tumours are both ER (estrogen) and PR (progesterone) positive.
This means there will be endocrine therapy, and there will be surgery. Chemotherapy and radiotherapy are on the table. These additional tests will help define the best options for treatment.
⭐ this is the third in my cancer journal posts. They are all titled Cancer Journal and have stars like the title of this post, should you wish to read them all.
⭐ there is a pinned post that outlines my diagnosis and my boundaries. If this is the first you have read of my cancer diagnosis, please ensure you read that pinned post at the top of my page before responding and that you honour my boundaries in your responses.
- Hekate Devotion: Summer Solstice/Litha
- December Solstice 2023 – Summer/Winter
- Thursday 02nd December 2021: Cancer Journal 18
- Homeric Hymn to Asklepios
- Prayer to Hygieia
- Dawn Prayer Series 2
- Dawn Prayer Series 1
- A Polytheist Examines Atheism
- Beyond That One Coin Replica and the Belvedere: The Diversity of Apollon’s Images and Symbols
- When Death Comes ~ Mary Oliver
- Patreon Poem/ Prayer/Song 83: For Sandalwood
- The Old Woman and the Wave: Sage-ing, Age-ing, Wage-ing Wander & Wonder by Margot Van Sluytman
- First Quarter Moon Honouring
Self checks
Ensure that you are vigilant around your self-examination. Train yourself to check your breasts/testicles routinely, and monitor your bowel habits and your urine output. These are our body’s early warning signs, and we don’t have a lot of awareness of them.