March Reading Review

4 books read in March...

Otherwise Engaged by Suzanne Finnamore

Rating: 8 *'s

Since I am "otherwise engaged" now, it seemed like the perfect time to read this book. I could relate completely with the main character as she goes through the ups and downs of planning her wedding.

Gone by Lisa Gardner

Rating: 9 *'s

I was so afraid how this book was going to end and happily it didn't! I hope this author continues to write about Rainie and Quincy as this couple really shows what it takes to make it in a world full of violence and heartbreak.

Vanish by Tess Gerritsen

Rating: 9 *'s

Wow! This book blew me away from the beginning and I still feel breathless by the ending. Excellent story that kept me guessing through the whole book.

Tess Gerritsen is a genius!

Every Which Way But Dead by Kim Harrison

Rating: 9 *'s

Another fantastic installment of Rachel Morgan and the gang! Would have loved to seen more of Jenks so I'm hoping there will be more of him in the next one. Kisten is a fascinating character and I hope he continues on through the series.

The Breast Quest #6

Finally some news...I went to the surgeon on Wednesday.

Her name is Valerie Sheridan; very nice and personable.

The long and short of it is there are two lumps in the left breast. One at 10:00 and one at 2:00. Dr. Sheridan is almost 100% positive that the lump at 10:00 is a cyst and isn't concerned. She is concerned about the lump at 2:00 because in the ultrasound photos, it's not shadowing, which would indicate it's a cyst (cysts are filled with fluid and when the ultrasound rays reflect off the fluid, it creates a shadow).

Because it's not shadowing, she wants to go to the next step and try aspiration to see if it is cyst and since they are going to aspirate one, they will aspirate both of them while they are in there.

As some cysts can be cancerous, once they are aspirated, the fluid will be sent for a biopsy. She is sending me back to the imaging center that I had the second mammogram and ultrasound done to have the aspiration with ultrasound. Not sure why my physician couldn't have done that instead of going through a surgeon first; seems very roundabout and drawn out this way. But it's irrelevant as now we are making some forward progress.

Now, I am waiting for the pre-certification from the insurance to come through authorizing the aspiration procedure and then the imaging center will call me to schedule the procedure. Hopefully, the wait won't be long. Tomorrow looks good for me

Stay tuned for the next installment of "The Breast Quest" where our sassy and spunky heroine manages to single-handedly save the world from the dark forces of evil with both of her breasts intact.

The Breast Quest #5

I sucessfully found another surgeon who can see me this Wednesday! On Thursday, I was talking to a friend who went through her own personal health scare at Christmas time and she gave me the name and number of the surgeon she went to.

I called the surgeon's office on Friday, expecting that they wouldn't be open as so many medical practices have shortened business hours on Friday. They answered on the second ring, DID NOT put me on hold and at first offered to see me on Monday!

Completely and utterly shocked, I scheduled a Wednesday slot to allow me time to pick up the films from the imaging center and contact my doctor's office to arrange to have the reports faxed over. I have to pinch myself to ensure this isn't all a dream.

I'm not going to cancel the other appointment just in case I need an additional opinion, however.

I'm not sure what to think about physicians who are booked so far out...does that mean they are really good, therefore everyone wants them? That hardly seems fair as my friend thought her surgeon was absolutely wonderful and she can see me in a matter of days rather than weeks!

Are doctors really that busy that they have to be booked out like that? If they are that busy, will they take the appropriate amount of time for me and not miss anything?

I just can't be expected to wait that long without trying to find out what's going on. Routine medical check-ups, I don't mind waiting to get in, but this is definitely not routine, and it's a surgeon, not a general practice doctor. I just don't understand.

Thank God for my friend, Lizz and for the surgeon who can see me on Wednesday. Now I can get this ball rolling!

The Breast Quest #4

Our sassy and spunky heroine completed her covert re-con mission and was able to infiltrate the inner sanctum of the breast surgeon. After an intense interrogation session, she was able to acquire the date she will return, classified documents in hand.

The plot thickens on April 27.

(Can you hear the James Bond music in the background?)

Update...after some serious thought...our heroine is considering infiltrating other inner sanctums to see if she can get an earlier deployment date...

Stay tuned...

The Breast Quest #3

OK, here we go...

My doctor's office called today. The long and short of it is this...

I have a lump in my left breast (really?)

Biopsy or aspiration is recommended by the radiologist (stop me if you've heard this before)

My doctor can do neither (there's a surprise...duh)

Get thy happy ass to a breast surgeon so sayeth the doctor...

So, now our sassy, spunky heroine has been armed with a list of 4 breast surgeons. Her quest to find one accepting new patients as well as a partiality to redheads has begun (cue the Mission Impossible theme song).

Stay tuned for the further adventures of Sherri and The Breast Quest...

The Breast Quest #2

A few days have gone by since the rug was ripped out from under me at my mammogram.

I've done a lot of thinking. I've done a lot of crying. I've come to a lot of shocking realizations and unexpected surprises. I would like to think it's given me a little perspective about the person I've been and the person I hope to become.
People aren't very comfortable talking about cancer, so it doesn't surprise me that hearing I have a lump in my left breast causes a lot of people to stiffen and slightly lean back. Trust me, folks, this isn't contagious leprosy. We are all equally susceptible to going through this. And nothing has been determined other than it's a lump.

What shocks me is that the people I am closest to outside my blood family don't seem to give a shit. They say they are there for me, but actions speak louder than words. There have been no words of comfort and certainly no hug of compassion. Frankly, telling me "try not to worry" is about the most condescending thing I've heard. I'm scared out of my fucking mind! You would be too, in my shoes so don't hand me any patronizing bullshit. But, you know what, THAT'S OK! Showing my fear confirms my humanity and my capability to FEEL. More than I can say for a lot of people...

The people who claim they love me and care about me (again, family excluded) obviously have more important things to do than ask me how I'm holding up or taking the time to ask if I need to talk about it. Well, I do need to talk about it and since the so called friends and loved ones that I thought I could count on to provide moral support, a shoulder, an ear, a hand to hold can't be bothered, then this blog will have to suffice. That's OK, too. Nothing like a health scare to give a person perspective about who really does give a shit about you. I definitely won't be so giving of myself in the future. Adding this to an already full plate has tapped me out.

Don't mind me....I'm just a little angry and upset at being let down yet again. I will get through that as well.

Unexpected surprises...the people I least expected to offer their hand in friendship, love and support have been people I work with. Several people at work have offered to go with me to the doctor for the next procedure so I won't have to go alone. That means more to me than words can express and I will be forever grateful for the compassion these awesome people have shown me.

I don't expect everyone I know to rally to my side. I can certainly do without false pretenses so the acquaitances who say nothing at all is fine. At least they are honest.

It's the people you thought you could trust to be there who really aren't that hurts.
To the people who have offered a genuine hand of support and compassion, I thank you. To the people who claim they love me but can't be bothered, I have nothing left to offer. I need to surround myself with optimistic and uplifting people instead of people who bring me down so I won't be interacting with negativity.

Whatever happens is meant to happen, good or bad, and I will deal with it as it comes with everything I've got, keeping my sense of humor intact and maintaining a positive outlook. I would be lying, however, if I didn't say that the waiting is the worst. The unknown is very scary. The procedures they have to treat these things scare me more than what the potential outcome could be! Why is that anyway? Why should the cure/treatment be worse? Definitely something wrong with that picture...

As I deal with the emotions related to the news, I'm sure I will do quite a bit of rambling about this, that and the other, so please bear with me as I try to sort it out.

Please...God, all I ask is that I don't have to give up my caffeine...

The Breast Quest #1

I went for my first mammogram back in January and had to go back today for a follow-up because they found shadowing.

Today's mammogram (more painful than the first, for some strange reason) resulted in an ultrasound which revealed a lump in my left breast.

In order to avoid unnecessary surgery, the first step in this process is to determine if it's a cyst.

To do that, they will try to aspirate it by inserting a needle into the lump and drawing out the fluid. If it's a cyst, it will collapse and that will be that.

If it's solid, then they will have to schedule surgery to remove it and biopsy it.

Ugh.

Stay tuned...

February Reading Review

February turned out to be a productive month in the reading department with 5 books read. Wish I could say the same for the housework department.

A Man In A Kilt by Sandy Blair - 9 *'s
I kind of lost interest in historical romances a while back but this one called out to me and I'm so glad I listened! I thoroughly enjoyed this story. Beth and Duncan are characters you truly cheer for and genuinely like. I hated to see it end. The author does an excellent job of making Scotland come alive and having just come back from Scotland, it made me miss it all the more.




The 5th Horseman by James Patterson - 8 *'s
Another very suspenseful and action packed episode of the Women's Murder Club! This story finds the reader trying to shuffle through the various clues to figure out who is doing what. There are multiple villains and crimes. It was fun trying to sort it out. Patterson in his usual way keeps the reader on the edge of their seat before providing an explosive ending that I didn't see coming.





I Think I Love You by Stephanie Bond - 7 *'s
Enjoyed the complex relationship Regina, Justine and Mica share. I could relate to Regina the most probably because she loves Nancy Drew books.







Plum Lovin' by Janet Evanovich - 8 *'s
Fast paced entertaining story. Not enough Ranger scenes but still enjoyed the plot and the wacky as usual characters.








A New Lu by Laura Castoro - 9 *'s
Very entertaining and uplifting story. I had a lot of admiration for Lu's character as she not only faces a pregnancy at 50 but also coming to terms with being single again and how her family (grown children) and friends and new love interest handle this major event.