Monday, January 16, 2012

STEP ONE - RAGE


"We can rebuild them. We have the technology. They can be stronger, faster... more fire resistant." 
Encouragement courtesy of my dear friend, Jesse Fowler



As a heads up, I will begin each catstir post with a picture of a cat.  I understand if you don't want to read it. I don't want to read it.

For those of you that are ridiculously late to the party, catstir is my code word for that other "C" word. The C word that rhymes with pancer, or fancer, or wancer. If I type the "C" word, google gobbles it up and bombards me with empty promising of cures and expert advice.

This new adventure of mine starts with a post called Chaos. You can follow along from there.  Today's story begins here...


STEP ONE - RAGE

It's really cold out today. The waterfall outside my window is beginning to freeze.  Soon it will be one giant icicle. I don't feel the cold the way I used to. It's still bitter, but it does not cause me to shake.

I took a long look in the mirror today and realized I am no longer focused on my facial flaws. My crows feet, brow furrows, laugh lines, broken capillaries and brown spots, have vanished.

My left knee doesn't ache the way it used to and I now think my curling toes, the same toes I once thought were too hideous to expose in sandals or flip-flops, are adorable.  To me, they look like monkey toes and they will make climbing much easier.

Now that I have my pathology reports in my hand, I know that my catstir is high grade and aggressive - terms that fit my personality.

I now have appointments at Sloan Kettering (the catstir experts) and at Greenwich Hospital (my local area hospital). My first appointment is on the 23rd and then again on the 26th. This is the waiting week.

The day before my diagnosis my husbands was informed that his last day at work would be January 27th. I couldn't tell you that before. I tried but I couldn't type the words.

Our insurance is through his company.

My husbands was employed by Etrade. I don't find that cantankerous kid cute anymore and I'm going to actively campaign to get Etrade on the Occupy Wallstreet blacklist.



I'm trying really hard not to take my stress out on other people - strangers you encounter on a normal day. I did however, lose my temper when my zipper got stuck in the lining of my jacket for the third time in one day.

I pulled my coat up, over my head, flung it to the ground, stomped on it and screamed, "Don't fuck with me zipper!!!"

Unfortunately, I was in the vegetable department of the grocery store when the incident occurred and my frustration caused the produce man to miscalculate the placement of a perfectly ripe tomato, sending a steady stream of red crashing to the ground.

I am angry at my husband and I don't want to stay with him anymore. I need a plan but I don't have one just yet other than tossing water at him while he sleeps. I'm not ready to tell you why I'm angry at him. For now, lets assume that I am in a state of panic and not thinking rationally.  Even so, if you know of any single men who might be interested in dating a recently separated woman who was recently diagnosed with catstir, please let me know.

To raise money, I'm thinking of offering adult nursing (aka breast feeding) for a limited time only.  Do you think that's illegal?  And how much do you think I should charge?  Do I charge more for the breast that has the catstir?

I knew it was only a matter of time before people would say something that would upset me.

Things people have said to me in the last 5 days that have pissed me off:

1.  "Keep the faith"
Keep the faith?  REally?  I had faith that I would live a healthy life and faith fucked me in the ass!

2.  "I know a women who thrived on chemo"
Thrived on chemo?  REALLY?  Give me her name and number. I'd like to speak to her directly. And if I don't THRIVE on chemo does that make me less of a woman?

3.  "At least it's only in one breast"
At least it's only in one breast?  Really, REALLY??? Let's give you cancer in one lung, ovary, leg, arm.  Lets give you catstir in one fucking finger and see what you think about that!

4.  "Now you get to have your boobs redone!"
What the fuck!!! really???  REALLY??? Did you REALLY just say that to me!!!??? That one takes the prize.  I've got nothing to say to that. That is the sort of thing that makes me want to punch you in the balls.

I know that each of you did not mean to hurt me by saying those dumb-ass things and I appreciate your concern, but my job now is to educate the masses. Going forward, if you know someone who has breast catstir please do not say any of those things.

And if you're wondering...

Yes, I went for annual mammograms.
No, I didn't have a lump.
No, I have no family history of catstir.
NO, I don't smoke. Haven't had a cigarette in almost 20 years.
Yes, I use natural deodorant.
Yes, I exercise regularly, I am not considered overweight, I take vitamin D and fish oils, I maintain a healthy diet.

I do however drink chardonnay and wear an underwire bra.

Word to the wise ladies... chardonnay and underwire bra's cause CATSTIR!!!

And are you ready for this... are you sitting down?

Being a woman, especially an aging woman, puts you at risk for getting breast catstir.

So if you are an aging woman and you think you don't need to concern yourself with catstir, well... you are wrong.

All fights are fueled with rage and as you can see, I am preparing myself for a long hard fight.

In closing... if you are wondering how I am doing (and yes, it's okay to ask)...

The nights are the worst. The darkness makes it hard to focus on the moment. The unknown scares the crap out of me.


***

saying something dumb-ass is better than saying nothing at all.
this is the new and improved version of "love means never having to say you're sorry"

67 comments:

  1. Keep the rage going. Rage fuels a stronger fight than acceptance. Still, your post brought tears to my eyes. I hate that you're going through all of this.

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    1. well then, thats two of us that are crying. thanks for reading Susan - I will keep fighting, that I know for sure.

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  2. "The unknown scares the crap out of me."

    Truer words have never been written... it is the unknown.

    *huggles*

    I have nothing smart, wise, or humorous to say...

    I care...

    Why is eTrade letting your husband go? I'm so sorry all of this is cascading upon you...

    ~shoes~

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    1. because they suck giant moose balls - they "dissolved" his entire group. He knew it was coming when they stopped supplying cream and sugar for their coffee. He tried begging but apparently that doesn't work in corporate america.

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  3. Yeah. Sucks. My husband got his pay cut 75% last week. They are essentially waiting for him to quit. Life is just hard. I think you can extend health insurance through Cobra for 13 months, although it doesn't come free. Really really really just sucks Monkey, and I don't mean the nursing kind of sucks.

    Hmmm....I bet you could get $200 an hour from the right client. (I'm joking of course)

    Underwire bras? Really? Seems everything causes catstir. *sigh* I HATE CATSTIR I HATE CATSTIR I HATE CATSTIR. So there.

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    1. I just opened up my window and screamed it at the top of my lungs... "I HATECATSTIR AND IM NOT GOING TO TAKE IT ANYMORE" and this is only day 5!!!

      $200.00 ...really? thats excellent! $199.00 more than I expected. Cha Ching!!!!

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  4. Oh wow.
    The insurance thing... There's no good time to be without insurance, but...

    That would leave open a couple possibilities:
    1. COBRA, which, if you don't have a huge savings or stuff to sell off, is impracticable due to cost;
    2. finding a job with insurance while you're sick or marrying someone with dependent insurance;
    3. having your health fail badly enough to be found to be disabled under Social security/Medicare/Medicaid standards; or
    4. some awful variation on a bake sale.

    I know that does not help. I'm thinking out loud.

    Your story has become more interesting than anyone living it would want.

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    1. LOL Katy!!! "some awful variation on a bake sale" I can't stop laughing over that.

      I just changed my husbands facebooks status from married to single, by the way.

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    2. You changed HIS status?!?!?!

      LMBO!!!

      ~shoes~

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  5. I have nothing comforting to offer. My words will sound shallow, my empty hands have nothing to give. But my heart? It's with you. But I know that doesn't help.

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    1. you are so wrong Myrna!!! (((every thing you say comforts me))) just seeing your name comforts me.

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  6. I am sending you all my prayers...do keep writing from your gut like you do...It helps us to understand that "unknown"...

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    1. will do jaybird! will do! and sorry I had to pastie up. it was either that or mark my blog as "adult content"

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  7. Damn ETrade
    Damn Husband
    Damn Catstir
    and triple dog damn whatever it is that you husband did. rat bastard

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    1. Hi Green Monkey,
      I was just told I have DCIS…OMG…I so agree with the comments people make to you, like the ones you stated…..”oh you will have a free boob job now!!” That is just the best one….YEA RIGHT, ok……to have everything just carved out of you, possibly all of the tissue and nipples removed, and possibly a skin graph removing our skin on our stomach so we’re never able to wear a bikini again!!!” Yea….we are just so fricken lucky!! I feel the same as you. Wish people would stop telling me that they will pray for me, that bothers the hell out of me too. Like……hello, it’s there!! Praying isn’t going to make it go away!!! I also hate the fact of what we have to go through. I however do have an awesome husband to lean on which helps but not family. I did get such loving words from my brother telling me, “well we’re going to die of something one day….” That was just comforting! Your BFF’s leave you like you have a disease……and people that you hardly know are there for support!! Just strange and bothersome. I don’t want pitty…..I just wish I had gone in for a mammo last year, so maybe I would have caught it earlier than I did. I’m only 41……and I’m celebrating my 2 year anniversary today with my Husband. Going to be just a great night having just had my lumpectomy done last Friday. Waiting to see if the other cells they needed to test are invasive or not…at least they removed the catsir crap that for sure needs to be gone. I’m sorry if I’m posting this on the wrong part of your blog, but I too am in your shoes, and just pissed. If I have one thing for other ladies…..just be on top of having your mammos done….don’t skip a year!! Cuz this catsir shit just sucks. Whatever my outcome tomorrow, I’m probably going to have the mastectomy done, and just be done with this crap. It’s been the worst emotional ride I’ve been on that happened right before Christmas and I just want it over!! Take care of yourself Green Monkey, and I hope that you have an awesome friend to get you through this!!! (((((hugs)))))) ---Francksgirl

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    2. you got it Dazee!!! so appreciate you calling my husband "rat bastard" it brought a smile to my face!

      And Francksgirl....YES, YES, YES!!! comment anywhere you want. So glad to hear from everyone, especially those who are in the beginning, middle, or end of catstir and also those who don't want to get catstir. For those of you who do want catstir... you're not welcome here! I have not told my mother or two sisters about this ...or my brother. you can read between the lines on that one or you can read about it here somewhere but I can't remember where I wrote about it...anyway, lets just say ... we're not seeing eye to eye.

      It's funny, I can't talk about any of this (unless I'm drinking) but I can write about it. and if one of my friends tries to back away from me now that I am "sick" I'm going to force them to drink from my cancer ridden tit! (I might have to put that on a bumper sticker)

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    3. My day is February 3rd. Double mastectomy....that's my d day! I think that the hardest is to quit smoking right now. I have so much anxiety with everything hitting me at once.....Double mastectomy scheduled for Feb 3rd, and I can't smoke!!! Seriously.....??? Ugh......Xanax is helping, but not enough. Can't wait till it's just over!!! It's like..I Don't care that I will be in pain after surgery, I don't care that my breast can't be saved. I've got that....I understand that is out of my hands. I just want a damn cigarette! I just want this nightmare over!!! I haven't told my "birth" mom, or 2 of my brothers either....or my old man and his wife. We all don't talk.....which is a good thing, but like you, I can write about it. Too hard to talk about it!!! I just don't want it in my damn nodes. I just want the surgery done, so I can get on with my life!!

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  8. GM - You are bringing back all the feelings I had seven months ago...aside from the husband thing. I don't know what your problems are in your marriage but I thankfully rid myself of that over ten years ago. I do hope though, you are speaking from frustration with the catstir and nothing truly bad is going on.

    I cried at nights in bed alone before my BMX. I felt myself up, hoping that I could bottle that feeling forever in my memory. I wish I had appreciated my boobs more when I had them instead of constantly complain about how physically imperfect they were. If they were in a mans hand and he would murmur something sexual about them...I'd roll my eyes. He truly just wanted to get past those and onto more important territory... I thought back that if maybe I had put myself first instead of my kids to find love that I wouldn't be lying in my bed alone dealing with this. But then a rethought that thought and threw that right out the window. I don't regret putting my kids first for a second. TANGENT - you know I always hated how women would say to me...you spend too much time with your childrens activities, you should date and find a man. PET PEEVE!

    As for the stupid things people say...ugh, have heard all of those! And you just want to stuff a molotov cocktail in their mouths! My favorite is...it was caught early, you should be happy you're cured. Or the ever so favorite...you're lucky it's JUST DCIS. I'm lucky? Really? Get your ass on the operating table and have your chest literally carved out and nerves severed and wake up with drains coming out of you. Not to mention the joy of looking in the mirror and seeing how lucky you are having big scars and lumps across your chest every morning. I'm so lucky. I must say this mainly came from men. Enough to make you want to pull a Lorraina Bobbit on them. I'm sooooooooooooooooooo lucky!

    GM - Enjoy your blogs, your personality is so in line with mine! I feel like I know you.

    Michelle

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    1. oh Michelle, thanks for commenting here! Love what you wrote. and yes, we are twins, I'm sure of it! and I'm so glad I'm not the only person with catstir that is pissed. and don't get me started with the pink ribbons and cancer awareness bullshit. I'll save that for another post. I have a really good friend who's name is Pinky. I am going to have to change her name to Inky - thats how much I despise the pink ribbon stuff. Maybe its because I knew on some level that catstir was headed my way, but I don't think so. Anyway... Im sure this bad attitude Too Will Change! Monkey Love my cancer sister!

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  9. I'm so sorry that you're going through so much suffering. I'll be praying.

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    1. I don't know what its all about Connie, but I do know that I signed up for this so... there must be a big GOOD something in this somewhere. I have no idea where just yet but I will find it, I promise you that! :)

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  10. Well, you appear to have Step One down.

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    1. YES!!!! :) I predict step two might be scattered. I just drove away from the gas station with the hose still in. I haven't done that since my son died.

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  11. Dude,

    Just as well there is a plentiful supply of Chardonnay in the world. I do some of my best writing when "in the sauce" but I bow down to your grape-infused writing, my pasties wearing Green Monkey.

    Rage away.... this is the non-pink colored Comfort Zone!

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    1. YES...!!!!!!!! NO PINK ZONE HERE! CHEERS TO YOU "Good Mark" ~

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  12. AH I can just feel your anger... This is probably WAY random and WAY based on the wine I'm drinking in the middle of the afternoon, BUT! I am reading a book about midwifery (yes, it's as random as it sounds) and the author talks about how women deal with natural childbirth by screaming and singing and dancing and just moving around and doing whatever the hell they want to deal with the pain. I feel like that's what you're doing in this post-- It's your pain, it's your experience and you should scream and rage and do whatever the hell you want. So much better than being demure or politely overlooking all of our ignorant stupid remarks.

    As always, your honesty, though heartbreaking, is refreshing.

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    1. YES!!!!!!!!! PERFECT.... that is exactly what I'm doing! dancing and singing and screaming (damn, now I'm hearing...play that funky music white boy)

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  13. I agree with Susan; do NOT go gently. I may not have catstir, but I understand this very well: "The unknown scares the crap out of me."

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    1. okay.....so be it! Susan is spot on!!! and I'm so glad for the word "fuck"... it feels so good to scream it! Thank you for commenting and reading mshatch!

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  14. brave honest soul! Here's to YOU



    Aloha from Waikiki
    Comfort Spiral

    > < } } ( ° >

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    1. ahhhhhhh... a fresh breath of Cloudia! aloha my friend!

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  15. Aging woman. Hmmph. Well I never. Let's face it, life just plain sucks. Big moose cocks. (I really like that one....) Of all the dumb ass things anyone has said, none of them top, "Don't run over the monkey!!!"

    Rage on my dear monkey, my fist in the air in solidarity. FUCK CATSTIR!!!!! /and the zipper sticking thing. Hate that, even when I'm not already pissed.

    xoxooxoxoxoxox


    MG

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  16. P, Crappy draw. you deserve better cards. Heading to Nola tomorrow and will drink to all the best of outcomes. Last I saw there was still a shrine or two at the I-hop. Jsw

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    1. I know! but you know I'll turn this into something good.

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  17. I have a plan for this, for myself...to make don't know about it. I can't think of a dumber thing to say, I hope this is crappy enough.

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    1. Shannon, I think of you all day. I pray for you, for ease, for acceptance and patience, and fast recovery.

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    2. Thank you! I feel your arms wrapped around me!

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  18. Fuck is my favorite word! It's a chameleon of a word! Fits in every situation!

    GM - There is a whole thread dedicated to Pinktober, check it out! It was a great thread to read through during that god awful month. Women were posting pics of all the ridiculous money grabbing marketing schemes to get your money all in the name of 'BC awareness'!

    Off to bed. It was change my sheets day and I can't wait to get into those crisp clean sheets!

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    1. Oh I can't wait to check out Pinktober! I'm going to make a "NO PINK ZONE" picture for my blog. I might have to change my profile picture that pink cowboy hat is starting to get on my nerves!

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  19. Wow. Powerful post. I have a friend who went through catstir last year, and her field is communications, so she had a fascinating time analyzing what people said to her. It generally says more about them than it does about you. Keep sharing your process, Shannon. Let the tomatoes fall to the floor!

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    1. Katie, I love when you say powerful post. there better, at the very least, be a book in all this!

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  20. You've been in my thoughts and heart, though I haven't been on Blogger much lately.

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  21. Damnit, haven't you had enough crap thrown your way? I wish I had something more profound and comforting than 'it's not fair' to give you, but you know I'm thinking about you.

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    1. you are here... this gives me great comfort Sarah (((thank you)))))

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  22. I'm a twice breast catstir survivor of 25 years...and your story brought tears to my eyes. While there's tons of advice and a millions of catstir stories out there, this is your story and even I have no great words or wisdom that is going to make you feel better. I wish I did. I can tell you this, rage is a good emotion. Many with catstir put on a stiff upper lip, but that's just a cover to a boiling pot of emotions. If you ever need to vent, I will listen.

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    1. this is good news! 25 years?! did you get it when you were 12! so glad you're here.. reading and encouraging me!

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    2. did you write about it then? what scared you the most? I have so many questions!

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  23. Here for you baby, and spewing out cuss words like nobody's business. I've become pretty good at it and would gladly come to your house and join in the rage. Yeah.

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  24. FUCK CATSTIR UP THE ASS, SIDEWAYS! I'm here for you MOnkeypuss. and I agree--Fuck the pink ribbons--who's not aware for crap's sake??

    At the bottom of your blog page is the TV monkey show, and it's captioned: Believe in the Power of Monkeys.

    I believe in your MOnkey power. Fling Poo! Yeah Catstir, This Means YOU!!!

    xoxoxoxoooxxoxoxo
    DB

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    1. ahhhh yes, those monkeys are powerful! I BELIEVE!!!

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  25. I am two and one half years out from my diagnosis and I so remember the rage. That has lessened somewhat however the fear still rears it's ugly head with frequency; I do think I will always have the feeling of waiting for the other shoe to drop.

    But the incident you wrote about with the zipper made me laugh out loud. Keep writing, even if not from rage, I am so glad I found this blog.

    Sending good thoughts, Barbara

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    1. THANKS BARBARA!!! yes, you wait for the shoe... I get that.

      after my son died I realized people you love die and so I wait for the next person I love to die.

      its terrible... note to self: you need more therapy

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  26. Rage on. Hit something or someone if necessary. Maybe husband,if he can take it. As sad as it sounds, remember that rage, you might need it later. You're on your own path, therefore the right one.

    Remember...You can do this. Don't let it do you.

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    1. I bottled that rage and marked it clearly. i will swallow when needed! xo :)

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  27. Omigod, people said those things? That was bad enough, and then I read about your health insurance situation and that felt like a punch in the stomach. So I can almost imagine how you must feel. I hope COBRA will get you through your treatment, and a new job for hubby will take you both into a long and healthy future. Or until your book comes out and you find fame and fortune. Rage on.

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    1. worse.... people that love me said those things! not strangers! and you figured out my master plan! yes, yes.. book comes out, fame and fortune follows! problem solved!!! :))))))) xoxo

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  28. Okay. Blogger went nuts and I had no idea this was going on... So I am posting here to let you know that I am at a loss for words, and ironicly feel a bit better that I did not say any of those stupid things.

    (Really? One boob? Um, I'm sorry but my boobs are part of my essence and I'm thinking no MAN would want to lose "just one" nut.)

    I'll just send you (((HUGS))) -J

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  29. Boy I gotta snappy one for that last one. Men are jerks. I know, I'm a practicing man. (My wife will certify that jerk part). I give smart ass remarks to protect myself. I doubt if you feel much like laughing. I can't think of a single constructive thing to say that might not annoy or hurt you, so I'll just hang out keep an eye on the blog an pray. If I was there, I'd shut up and do some house work.

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    1. WHAT......???? MEN ARE JERKS??? are you sure? I feel so much like laughing and your quirky and I like that!

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  30. oh my..... you all have no idea how much you are helping. I am sadly married to a man who can not communicate emotions, so every word you give me surrounds my heart. I need it more than I need chemo or radiation.

    I had this big "WOW" moment tonight while talking to a friend. I will write about it tonight and tomorrow. It's starting to make sense to me. What this catstir message is all about...


    Love, MonkeyME

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  31. Love that you're calling it catstir. I'm supposed to have one of those invasive catstir diagnostic tests tomorrow, with the little sesame seed sized bit of metal that stays in your body, that is, of course, if the great blizzard allows it to happen.
    I don't want to say one of those awful things that people always say, so I hope my 'silence' speaks instead...

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    1. keep me posted sam ok? and there is a great site:
      breastcancer.org - all sorts of discussion groups there and good info! I'm holding your hand!

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  32. Then I won't say anything, just ((((HUG)))

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  33. Catstir...love the name...I have been on this journey for 19 months now..had my first comment which through me this past Christmas...friend of a freiind doing the old 'breast cancer-woman died' story...ok..if it is a friend and my BC triggered the story..bt this was more of a brag about someone you know who DIED of it...pretty much blew my mind at the supper table, turkey and all.
    I sent you hugs on breastcancer.org but thought more might be needed after reading your last post. so....HUGS coming your way

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  34. Hey GreenMonkey, Im sitting here on my bed waiting for my biopsy results. I had a stereotactic biopsy on Thursday and havent slept since. Reading your blogs makes me feel like i have a friend who understands what im going through. Keep writing,even when you dont feel like it, because its helping me and others get through this.
    1Osugrl

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Thank you for encouraging my JOY of writing. By reading and commenting you are feeding my soul, stroking my heart, and in the end...making me a better writer.

Thank You For Encouraging My Joy of Writing

Thank You For Encouraging My Joy of Writing
greenmonkeytales@live.com

Shannon E. Kennedy

***

Photo by Joan Harrison