I am Titanium

Today was my last day of chemo and radiation! Yey! I learned a lot in XRT and I will be going back to learn about breast cases to educate the patients in my department but that's a whole other story. I feel like I need address why I decided to stay in Abilene for care. I opened a can of worms this morning on facebook that I don't even have the energy to talk about. Here is my list, in no particular order:

1. I have worked at Hendrick Medical Center for 10 years. I have made several friendships and more importantly connections. I got to hand pick my cancer team. How many people can say that? I love the doctors, nurses, and ancillary staff that I have worked with and I wouldn't trade them for the world. Plus, because of my connections I had a plan of action within 5 days, and started treatment in alittle over a week.
2. I am a nurse navigator for a breast cancer clinic. What does that mean? I guide patients through the cancer process. I am with them for their biopsy and I am there for them when they get their diagnosis. How hypocritical would it have been of me to ask patients to stay in Abilene then leave for care somewhere else? I wouldn't do that to them.
3. All doctors went to med school! Just because they work in Abilene doesn't mean they couldn't cut it at a bigger hospital, they came here because this is home to them.
4. I was able to work during treatment. I was able to live a normal life. I could take my kids to school. I could come home and make dinner (some nights). I was able to be in MY bed instead of a hotel room bed or hospital bed. Also, if I didn't fee like working I would come home and lie around naked, can't do that somewhere else and feel comfortable.
5. Back to the navigator thing, patients that DO leave Abilene, I see how long it takes them to start their care, and it's not days like I had, it's WEEKS. Today when I was in XRT, Dr. Singh said her and 2 of the girls went for a site visit to a bigger hospital in the metroplex and their turn around time (time from patient needing something done til the time it gets done) was a week! At Hendrick its hours to days (depending on what needs to be done).

So, I know y'all want the best for me, and trust me, I know as well as my cancer team knows that MD Anderson is the mecca of cancer, but I am in wonderful hands here. If I needed something this weekend I could call any of my physicians on their cell phones! Alright y'all, I'll get off my high horse! LOL. Talk to y'all later.