Ob-La-Di, Ob-La-Da

It's hard to believe it's been eleven days since my surgery. I do think I needed the two weeks off to rest and heal, but it's been wonderful to have an excuse to take afternoon naps, sleep late in the mornings, visit with both of my daughters and spend hours reading and watching the first two and half seasons of Downton Abbey.

Erika will be here for one more full day and then fly back to her home and family in Des Moines Tuesday. Later that afternoon, I'll have my followup with my surgeon and then Wednesday, I'll return to work.

I feel like I'm done with the first phase of this breast cancer experience, which included diagnosis and surgery. In a few weeks I'll begin the second phase: radiation treatments. (Edit added 2 months later: little did I know when I posted this that Phase Two would be chemotherapy.)

Unfortunately that will involve having to deal with the insurance company for a new FMLA claim, this one, "intermittent" to ensure that my absences for radiation treatments will be "job protected." I'm hoping and praying that this one will go as smoothly as the last one should have.

We're facing the fact that our little lost cat may not come home and hoping that she hasn't suffered, wherever she is. She is micro-chipped, so we haven't given up all hope of getting her back. Every morning I get an email with the newest listings and photos of cats that have been brought into the city shelter.

I've learned since my surgery that it's not uncommon to feel very emotional upon awakening from general anesthesia. In my case, when I awoke, I  began crying about losing Sasha. I suppose recovery room nurses are used to that kind of thing and might not have found it strange when I told them I was fine, but was crying because my cat was lost. I still miss her, but truth be told, my husband and son probably miss her more, since she spent more time with them. And, of course, with another cat and the three dogs in the house, I haven't lacked for animal companionship.

 

Our other cat, Luna, is more closely bonded with me, although I think Erika might have replaced me as her favorite person in the world this week. She liked Erika and Kelly both, but since Kelly is allergic, she wasn't able to return Luna's affection. Luna liked Erika from the start, but then Erika pulled out her knitting and Luna was smitten. I think she's going to be pretty disappointed when Erika leaves.







I'm sure going to miss Erika too and we'll make the most of the rest of her time with us, but she'll be ready to get back to her husband and children. And I guess I'll be ready to get back to life as usual, at least until I start Phase Two.