Fast away 2010 passes

Today, was my last day at the studio, for awhile, and it is very strange to know that I am forced away. So many people there that I love so much, and look forward to seeing every day/week, and yet I am helpless to change the route I must now take. My love for all of those friends, Paul and of course my old dear ones is going to be my compass to keep me on the correct path. I know that the love, faith and compassion everyone is enveloping me in, is akin to the traveler's candle in the window and the glow will serve to guide me through.

Where are My Ruby Slippers??

The visit with the surgeon laid things out a bit more clearly and it is going to be a bit of a wild ride to pass through the next few weeks. We really do not know whether this will be "the cure" or just the beginning to some challenging decisions such as chemotherapy and/or radiation treatments. It all rests in the pathology results after my tumor is removed. Once the exact type of my particular sarcoma is discovered we will know how to move forward. At any rate, I will be screened every 3 mos with ct scans for the next two years. As Dr. Letson put it, we are going to get to know each other very well.

Tonight I realize how long this trip may be....suddenly, I feel a bit like Dorothy, searching for the Wizard wanting to just get home. It is going to take my heart, my brain and most of all my courage to navigate my way there. Note to self, I need to get a pair of those ruby slippers, hmmm.

Last Pre-op Visit

Today is the last time I come to Moffitt Cancer Center  and get to leave the same day......or at least until after my surgery. I had the ct scan done of my left leg (femur, knee and tibia) for the purpose of giving them measurements for the big parts change day on 1/5. Now waiting to see Dr. Letson (the surgeon) to go over details and ask questions. Funny how as it is all coming into focus I feel more clarity than blind fear and ready to load into the starting gate. Hope I can feel this resolute on the big day :)

I will enjoy sharing with my friends that follow this blog, as I well understand, it is not just a personal journey because we all have been touched by cancer on some level. Tears, fears, laughter and love should serve to make a good pavement to make my journey and a piece of it will belong to all of you.

December 20th 2010 - Journey Begins

On December 20th I received news that can only be described as life altering.

I was informed after many tests that I have Pleomorphic Sarcoma.

This is a rare form that attacks the bones and tissues of your body and eventually can

spread to your lungs and other organs.

The good news, mine has not spread so on January 5th I have surgery to remove the lower

part of my left femur. some of my thigh muscle and a total knee replacement....and the journey begins.

To backtrack the story, I have been dealing with ongoing problems in that leg ever since I broke my femur in an accident . Of course, I assumed it was all related to the break, but more was to come. Somewhere along the way my body started making this cancer and that brings us up to the present.