Still Here :)

Thanks peeps, for continuing to visit my little horror story even though I really don’t update much anymore. I found it helpful to write about what was happening and I learned a ton in the process, but then the time came to move on.

So I did. Life slowly went back to normal, and this horrible mess has become nothing but a bump in the road, just like I had been hoping it would when things were still all weird and totally unpredictable. A significant bump for sure, but it didn’t take over my life, at least not in the long run. And for that I am grateful.

I continue to have regular check-ups with my neurosurgeon and feel like a seasoned professional in dealing with his bitch secretary. She continues to mess up the setting of the appointments and schedules me for random MRIs, but it doesn’t freak me out anymore. I know that when I get to see the doctor, he’s more interested in talking shop with the Fellows he is teaching than answering my questions. I’m good with that now, too.

He gave me my life back and he’s there in case I need him again, something that becomes less and less likely as time goes on, though he’s keeping an eye on things just in case. Intervals between appointments are increasing – 15 months last time, 18 months now. After that, likely every 2 years, and eventually maybe only every 5 years. It’s a long-term thing, but I’m no longer freaked out because of it. Last time I went to see him just a couple of days ago, I didn’t even get sweaty palms anymore and finally saw the humour in his not so patient-centred behavior. The only thing that hasn’t changed is the big wave of relief and the ensuing natural high that washes over me and lasts for days when he tells me, again, that “there is no evidence of recurrence!” and gives me one of his rare smiles.

Life is good.

You’re probably here because you’ve just been given the same or a similar diagnosis or are somewhere in the midst of the craziness surrounding diagnosis, treatment and recovery. Or maybe you’re here because you know someone who is.

Good luck, I hope it works out for you!