a lurker saying hello

hello,

i have been reading at this discussion board for a few weeks, and i want to thank everyone here. when i had a question i just searched the threads and it has been reassuring to know that other people have already weathered or are weathering similar things.

i have endometrial cancer, a grade 3 tumor. it is considered unstaged because they weren't able to sample the lymph nodes during my surgery. there had been a little bit of spread into the fallopian tubes. so, they are treating it as though it might be a higher stage. so, chemo for now. and i have a consultation coming up with the radiological oncologist.

i had a hysterectomy in june with the davinci machine. so, my recovery was uncomfortable but not quite as tough as other people's. i am a large person so i was worried about how the surgery would go and how i would recover. but i am mostly comfortable nowadays so i'm grateful for that. i'm also grateful that my uterine problems are gone. i had become anemic and had to have two transfusions because of so much hemmoraghing over the previous months. i'm so glad that part of my life is over with.

i had my first chemotherapy treatment a few weeks ago, my second will be this week. i felt kind of yucky the 2 to 4 days after my first treatment but mostly okay since then. the only thing right now is that my scalp has been very tender for a few days, and today every time i touch my hair some of it comes out. i am thinking around the end of this week i'll see the hair stylist who gave me my pixie cut. do people recommend buzzing the hair, or shaving, or clipping? i know it's going to be a little sad and weird. and i'm kind of nervous about looking like uncle fester for 6 months! : ) friends and family have been giving me some cut hats, scarves etc so i'll see what feels comfortable.

i've been seeing an acupuncturist too recommended by some friends who works with a lot of people in treatment. i don't really know how it works but i figure it cannot hurt. she is also a very calming person who reminds me to take it easy.

i've been back to work for two weeks now, and i'm going to try to work as long as i feel comfortable. washington state doesn't have any short term disability so it's just my leave time (about one and a half days a month), and then donated leave from coworkers. luckily i have a mostly desk job and have also gotten permission to do some work from home if i just don't feel up to coming in. i usually travel quite a bit for work but they took me off of the schedule for the fall and are giving me some other projects to do.

one feeling i've had through all of this is so much gratefulness. i have two young adult daughters who i always thought were great, but it's like their thoughtfulness has just shone through this. and other family and friends who have reached out. and then places like this where people are willing to share. you have helped me so much without even knowing i was here. i'm sure your words do that for a lot of people.

warm thoughts.....teresa