Today the surgeon called me and gave me the news. The lymph node he removed did have melanoma cancer cells, and this is technically a stage 3 melanoma.
5 year survival rates for this type of cancer are as low as 65%, meaning that only 65% of people who hear those stage 3 words are still alive in another 5 years; this really means nothing as to their long term prognosis – survivors can and do have subsequent battles.
Okay, we’re looking at Spring 2029 as a goal for staying alive – the countdown is on.
I can’t say that I’m surprised; I did get prepared for the worst news. In a few ways I’m relieved that I won’t look like a whiny malingerer to my colleagues. And maybe my company will support work from home accommodations a little more graciously in the future, given that the pain I was having elsewhere in my body and the way that manifested was just a really good sign that I was indeed unwell in terms of my whole health.
Employers ought to trust their employees to know when something is up with their health. Helping them prioritize health is just half the battle of being a good employer.
I know my next steps treatment wise, I’m waiting on consultation with oncology in Kelowna, and I will be having a PET scan. I don’t know much about what this is yet, but will undoubtedly be going down a Google search rabbit hole shortly to figure out as much as I can on what this test will tell them and how it will inform my treatment.
I don’t know about going back to work. I’ll probably be well enough to go back to work shortly but only for a short time maybe depending on the treatment; in terms of my illness of my mental health is the bigger concern. It’s weird just waiting around without much to do or accomplish. I’ve already told everyone who would care about the cancer, and that took all of 5 minutes.
i guess it’s normal to need a few days to come up with a plan. I received an inheritance when my dad passed away. That is a long, fraught story where there are resentments because he left it directly to my brother and I instead of to our mother. I believe he wanted to hand us the keys to our adulthood. He also didn’t want her to have money to invest in the house on silly things like baseboards she always complained about – things that don’t increase the value of a home commensurate with the investment.
Anyway, seeing as my brother may now be the sole heir, it is time for me to change my frugal ways, and enjoy spending money on myself. I don’t want to put off getting the things that I want any longer. I want to curate my own personal style, not live in hand-me-downs. With my mother’s love for the thrift, this is easier said than done.
There’s so much I would like to spend it on, but mostly new clothes, finishing my apartment, vacations. There are a lot of places I have never been that I would like to go. There are a lot of experiences I would like to have that I’ve yet to experience. You are welcome to keep following me here, as I share the parts of my experience that imbue me with wisdom, knowledge, excitement, freedom, hope, and many wonderful things to come.
There are many wonderful things to come. 1826 days until 5 years, countdown starts today.
Imbued Experiences 
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