I went for my second appointment today for the edema in my leg. It’s not that bad but if I don’t deal with it the fluid will harden and that won’t be pleasant. I’m going to MD Anderson in Orlando for the treatment. Texas suggested I go there because there is a therapist who specializes in oncology lymphedema.

 

Subconsciously Avoiding Reality

 

On my first visit, I realized that I had been putting it off. If I think about why the simplest answer that comes to mind is that I just am tired of dealing with my medical issues. The plan is to do some lymphatic massage and redirect the fluid.

 

The therapist took measurements of my leg and the right thigh is two inches larger than the left. I asked her if I could have lymphedema in my butt :). I’m sure it’s possible but not the culprit in my case.

 

In addition to the massage, I need to wear compression socks/hose and see if that helps. That makes me sound like I’m 85 years old.

 

When I was there today they hooked me up to a “pump” which is basically a bodysuit type of thing that they zip you into and then it fills with air. My right leg and stomach were in the suit and the air gently massaged my body.  It actually felt good. I’ll go there weekly for a while. I don’t see a need to go weekly for too long. The plan may be to get a pump at home.

 

My Friend Looked Great

 

When I was done I went to visit with a friend who had a double mastectomy and reconstruction at the same hospital.   When I was at the reception desk to ask what room she was in I had a strange feeling. I’m not the patient! That’s a first in a while. When I got to my friend’s room she looked great, which makes me laugh because it was always funny to me when people told me I looked great during cancer. I wrote about it early in my journey.

We visited for a while but she was tired and working through a headache from some of the medicine they had given her. Her attitude was so upbeat and the calmness she had was comforting to see. Yet again, cancer chose the wrong woman.

 

Always Have Hope

 

When I was leaving I accidentally got off the elevator on the second floor instead of the first. When I turned to see if I could find stairs I found the chapel. Obviously, my stop wasn’t accidental. I stopped to pray for two women in my life that I have gotten closer to because of cancer.

 

The chapel is beautiful. It has 5 stained glass windows, each of a garden with birds and flowers. One has the word “hope” at the bottom, the next “love”, the next “faith”, the next “healing” and the largest window on a separate wall has the word “peace” at the bottom.

 

As I prayed for my friend on the 9^th floor of the hospital I looked at the words on the windows. Hope – she has hope, without a doubt. Love, absolutely, she is loved by so many. As we were chatting she talked about many of her “best friends” who were there the previous day supporting her. Faith. No question she has faith. She told me she went to church this past Sunday and I have seen her there on many occasions. Healing. She will heal. Her hope, faith, and love will help her to heal.

 

She Taught Me About Hope And Now Peace

 

My other friend is a woman I met in Houston during my last visit. I wrote about her in a recent blog. She is a woman I have become closer to via email since we met. There is a connection with her that is difficult to put in words but it is strong. The window with the word “peace” was the focus of my prayer for her. She told me last week that she has made the decision to call in Hospice. She no longer will be getting treatment to battle her cancer. My prayer is that she has peace during this part of her journey. I prayed for her peace.