I AM NOT JOB!

In the big scheme of things, the frustrations from the past couple of weeks have been piling up: 

1. A brush with jury duty.

2. A boil water advisory while the water department waits for test results

3. The Cubs’ World Series Trophy isn’t coming to Fort Wayne

4. An inconclusive cancer diagnosis

SERIOUSLY?  WTF?

So here is the latest update on my cancer schmantzer odyssey.

While I don’t plan to be a Debbie Downer, my attitude is not so much positive as it is resigned; cancer is the ultimate game of whack-a-mole. While a person is looking one way, something comes from another direction.  No matter what I expect, the outcome will most likely be something else.  The most frustrating part of this whole odyssey is that it seems to be a matter of hurry up and wait.  I am not in any pain, but I find that I am fidgety and cannot seem to sit still. I have no idea whether there is a condition called “cancer brain,” but if there isn’t,  there should be. Reading used to be a fun escape, but now my concentration level is borderline ADHD.  I prefer watching mindless TV and Netflix. Focusing my anger on images of moronic politicians on cable TV gives me momentary solace, but unfortunately, they are cancers that cannot be cured.

Yesterday I had an appointment to find out the results of Wednesday’s PET scan. The results from my PET scan were inconclusive, but they contained lots of big cancery words.  Luckily, a physician friend read my scans and gave me the Cliff’s Notes version, which helped me put everything into perspective. The bottom line is that my oncologists need to find the point of origin of the cancer before they can begin treatment.  My next step is to schedule an appointment for yet another endoscopy/colonoscopy to find the next pieces to this elusive puzzle.  

Back to the big scheme of things:

- So far I do not have jury duty.

-The water advisory will be resolved...if only the water situation in Flint could be resolved as quickly and easily. 

-The World Series Trophy is not coming this way, but I will see it in July when we take the Bush Boys to see the Cubs play.

 -Even though my diagnosis and treatment plan are not complete,  I am fortunate knowing that my oncology team is working to put the pieces together so that my treatment plan works for me.

For those who know me, I like to have a plan, and I like to have things done yesterday. I have places to go and things to do, and I seriously want to get busy kicking cancer’s ass.  

People keep asking me if cancer has changed my world view, and if anything, the lesson that I need to learn from Job is patience.   I am a bit of a slow learner in this area, but I am working on it.   

All in all, it’s just another brick in the wall.