obligatory weaving content
I'm a planner and I really get very uncomfortable when I can't get answers, don't know what might happen - or might not. A friend says I must be up to Plan M by now....
This is all to say that the uncertainty of my future was reaching extremely uncomfortable levels - not knowing if I should even attempt to book teaching events, if I would have to suddenly cancel all my commitments.
So one of the burning questions - indeed, the burning question I had for the oncologist today was - when can I expect to need to set aside 6-8 months of my life again to concentrate on treatment?
He was very honest and said that conservatively I can expect an 18 month remission from the last Rituximab (the end of May, 2013), that once it comes back - because it is indolent (i.e. slow growing) - that treatment would likely begin 2 to 3 years once 'relapse' has occurred.
So, conservatively, I can expect to have the next 4 years fairly 'free' from worry in terms of booking teaching events.
This is a huge load off my mind. I make a fairly large percentage of my income from teaching and not knowing what to expect was leaving me feeling like I ought not book anything. Knowing something of what lies ahead, I feel confident that I can make those bookings and follow through on them.
But that isn't all. I returned home from my appointment at the clinic to an email confirming a date for the Next Big Project. It is far enough away that I can make it through the current show season, do my teaching commitments in the months ahead and still have time to do all the preparations that need to be done in order to be ready.
I haz a happy.
9 comments:
Oh that is really good news. This seems to be the climate that many people I know are living in - much anxiety and lots of unknowns. Is it just what happens at our age? Phew for you!
Oh that is really good news. This seems to be the climate that many people I know are living in - much anxiety and lots of unknowns. Is it just what happens at our age? Phew for you!
Laura, I am pleased to hear your news. Take a deep breath, center yourself and continue on.
Happy for you, Laura!!
Good deal. It's so helpful to have even a semblance of order in our lives. For me, it usually turns out to be an illusion, but that's in hindsight, and besides, isn't it all an illusion?
I think I got to plan W.26 when I built my house in Reno. It's good to be flexible, but, like you, when going to a show, I want all my ducks in a row ahead of time. A friend was kidding me about that as I'm pretty disorganized (I prefer to use "flexible") in the rest of my life!
Good to hear about your oncology report. And can't wait to hear what the Next Big Project is!
I lurk and look at your beautiful weavings, and am happy you have this window of freedom and sad for all you have to copy with. Seeing your work, knowing your work ethic from what you write, and that with everything else going, you still write, educating us and sharing your time, is very touching. Thanks, and good times!
I meant "cope," not "copy." Duh.
YAY!!! I love it when people get good news from the doctor.
Congrats on the Next Big Project, too!
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