First Post; Talking through Day 1

     I'm actually starting this thing! Yaaaay progress! Figuring out exactly where to start is a bit more difficult though. I guess I can start with how we are already up to appointment #6 (quick note: I don't count blood work in the appt count). If you want to be picky we technically are up to #7 because finance should not be shoved under registration but that's a rant for another day. Here we go, my first major post of the cancer blog. Like it, love it, or leave it, it's your choice.
     Day 1 was the Monday that started my Final Exams Week but I'd be damned if my mama was gonna go through this without me there for support. Family Disclaimer: Stop freaking out, I did great on all my finals hence the really good final grades after the really crapola semester in life. I can still do what I need to do guys, I've been doing this for years now, yeesh! Back to the intro post of the blog, okay... What I call Day 1 is what I consider to be the absolute non-negotiable start of the kick cancer's @$$ journey, the day we actually met our Oncologist. You know it's a serious cancer appointment when the hospital you visit has the word cancer in it's title. So far I think MD Anderson Cancer Center is a fantastic institution, we will see if that changes as time goes on. Okay, anyway, Day 1 had 3 of our so far 6 appointments: consultations with the oncologist, the surgeon, and the social worker (all of which are really nice people). We got to the hospital at 8:40 the morning of Day 1 (appt #1 was not until 10am, registration sucks) and did not leave the hospital until after 5:15. It was a long mentally, physically, and emotionally draining day.
     The first appointment was with the oncologist from whom we found out Mama would have to go through chemo before surgery, that was really tough news for her. We had all been thinking positive and hoping worse case scenario she would only have chemo AFTER surgery. Nope! Big giant bubble burst right there, thanks cancer! Mama tried so hard to be strong and hold it together but she couldn't stop the tears. It broke my heart and I cried with her a little bit but she needed a rock to lean on and guess who drew the metaphorical subconscious short-straw on that one...me. My emotional brain got clicked off and my business brain clicked on. Straight to the point medical discussions, read the body language of the room, address everyone's concerns, insert positive thoughts, keep everyone as light-hearted as possible, and plant a smile. Southern small town business etiquette at it's finest. I asked the necessary questions, took notes, made sure everyone was clear on what was being discussed and what the game plan was, and got the necessary paperwork. The surgeon just basically confirmed what the oncologist said but with more detail into the surgical aspect of the treatment. The social worker just made sure we had all the information for the support groups and help that was available to us. They are very thorough on making sure you have all the information possible to understand what exactly it is you are going through. It was A LOT of information to receive and try to digest in one day.
     So much information that I decided all the folder's and notebooks needed their own backpack and binder to help keep them organized, together, and in the proper order. Don't judge me, everyone has their own coping mechanisms for stress overload mine just happens to be cleaning and organizing. My room is definitely not a good example of that, it got hit by the "I can't find my freaking wallet" anxiety hurricane this morning. My wallet was in the front pocket of said information organizing backpack, just so you know. Yeah, I'm coping really well with this diagnosis...
     We were then sent for a full body CT (appt #4) and a ECG (appt #5) downtown at the M.D Anderson main campus the Wednesday and Friday of that week. My exams were only on Tuesday and Thursday. (Family Disclaimer: I promise you my schooling is a priority but so is being there for my mother, some of ya'll may just have to get over that.) Fighting downtown Houston traffic there and back was not at all fun and reminded me why I can't be an Uber driver. I may have a mild case of road rage or just be irritably allergic to houstonian driving techniques...the world may never know. We get the results from both appt #4 & #5 back tomorrow when we meet with the oncologist again. Appt #6 was a genetic consultation and blood work which will be discussed in the next post. It was mind blowing.
     Now you are up to date! I completed my first coping with cancer blog post *does little happy dance*. Next post coming your way soon. Keep your eyes peeled for the link and share it if you want. Bye, guys!