For those of
you that have been following my story, you will remember that my leukemia (CML)
diagnosis resulted during a routine checkup, following ovarian tumors that I
had seven years ago. I continue to have regular checkups every six months and
as of today, I am a bit overdue!
I briefly
saw my doctor, the one that diagnosed me, when I was in the hospital in
February. I have not seen him since. I am hoping that today’s visit will be
uneventful and that no new issues will appear. Oddly enough, I have never been
concerned when going to these appointments; I truly believe, that even though I
had borderline ovarian tumors, and there is a chance that they will return (in
a different location, of course) that they were removed and that is that. They
are gone and will never return. I have never been concerned or worried. I
thought that I “did” my big ticket item and that I was done. Ha! Jokes on me!!
The irony of being diagnosed with leukemia during one of these visits is still
boggling my mind.
Fast
Forward: I saw my doctor
yesterday and fortunately it was uneventful. Everything in “that” department
looks A-OK. He told me that he is still astounded that I have leukemia and that
in all of his years practicing medicine; he has never diagnosed a patient with
a second cancer. He is a gynecological oncologist, so he sees and treats cancer
patients every day. I almost think that he feels worse about my diagnosis than
I do! He was just so shocked and empathetic; and the girls in his office, the
same one that I have been seeing for years, just kept saying how blindsided and
sorry they are; and how they just can’t stop talking about it. I’m not sure if
that is a good thing or not. I believe that to them, I represent the reality
that no one is invincible. We are all vulnerable and even the healthiest people
can and do, get cancer. I am living proof of that.
When my
ovarian tumors were discovered, also routinely, everyone thought that they
would just turn out to be benign cysts. I was young(er), strong, healthy, ate
well, exercised and did all of the “right” things. We were all quite surprised at
just how sick I was. Fast forward seven years and I show up, for all intense and
purposes, I looked, and was, healthy;
a bit pale, but otherwise healthy. One blood test later and BAM; I am in the
hospital with leukemia. So, I believe that to the girls in the office, as well
as others, I represent the unexpected reality that your life can dramatically
change at any given moment. No one is bulletproof.
Anyway, life
goes on and I am happy to report that other than this stupid cancer; all is
well in my world.