Back to baseline for a week

Ahhh….my head is a little bit back to baseline (in my case I always hesitate to use the term “normal”).

Surgery is scheduled for Thursday, May 5. I do hope that time slot is held sacred by both surgeons throughout the ensuing week.

I can now concentrate on enjoying the week-before-treatment-begins. Plan to de-clutter the house, a mental exercise that strangely relaxes me, and set up some coffee dates to satisfy my need for the brief social interludes so many of you are familiar with.

Yesterday was also the first of 12 weekly group therapy meetings now offered to those newly diagnosed with breast cancer.

When I worked with my health system to improve the process of breast cancer treatment over the past three years, my frosting-on-the-cake, final hope was that emotional therapy could be integrated into all the other cold-hard treatments and appointments. I felt it was glaringly missing last time I did this thing. I am quite proud that the therapy program is now in place. (I told the counselor I was back as a secret shopper, to check out the new and improved processes, but word had already gotten out.)

There are four cancer-girls in my group, ages mid-40s to mid-60s, along with a counselor from Behavorial Health. I must say, had I hand-picked the women I would move through this process with, I couldn’t have done a better job. I know I’m a sucker for emotional support from my peers, but it felt to me like a bit of an agape love fest. None of us was in a hurry to leave at the close of session.

Must be on my way. I plan to get back to classes at UW-Fox today, though I’ve missed a lot in the past few weeks. Life is back to routine for a week and I shall enjoy!

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