Greetings everyone:
As we are closing in on the end of 2012 in Toronto, just thought I’d send a quick update.
The Good:
My cyst that I had removed at the end of November was benign. Phew. And double phew. Although I didn’t think it would be anything, the best thing I could have done was to get it removed and tested. Peace of mind. And a new scar…….
The Bad:
My right arm has started to swell a little more. It has been a little more sensitive as of late. The problem with having the constant risk of lymphodema is that no matter how careful one is, it could happen. Furthermore, it can affect you months or years after surgery and treatment. I’m taking extra care now and wearing my compression sleeve more often to try and control it.
The Ugly:
I’ve had a couple of scares of serious swelling. I woke up on December 22nd and thought, “well, the world didn’t end……according to the Mayan calendar on December 21st and I wake up the next day with my arm and hand swollen up….REALLY?!”. My hand was so swollen that I couldn’t even make a fist and a ring that I wear as a gauge didn’t even go past my first knuckle on my finger. To top it all off, December 22nd was a ‘chemo treatment day’ so I was a feeling a little sensitive. Fortunately over the course of the day, the swelling went down and I managed to get a lymphatic drainage massage which helped. Unfortunately, I’ve had a couple of flare ups since. I guess it’s just part of the overall process…….*le sigh.
Overall, this experience has highlighted the importance of living our dreams while we can. I have had a few friends lose loved ones recently. Health can fail quickly and the ears and eyes can let us down. But we have to strive to move forward. Taking a lesson and learning from the insight into the future and be ready and willing to partake in it as much as we are able to. The future is full of challenge and with 2013 around the corner (actually in 5 minutes in Toronto), I feel very optimistic about things in general. I know that we are all so thankful to have seen another year and I wish everyone good fortune and great health.
Last words for 2012: thank you from the bottom of my heart to all of you, my friends and family who have carried me through the last year.
HAPPY NEW YEAR!!
Love and hugs,
Winnie xoxo