Tattoos and finesse

Tattoos

This past Sunday morning, I cut back the rose bush in my back yard and transplanted it closer to the fence. Well, it was a bit warm out and I got sweaty. When I went inside to shower, I noticed a couple of the X's on my ribs began to slide and peel. Several thoughts raced through my head, "If these are off just a bit, then the radiation will go in the wrong place," and "I do not want to do the mapping again! There was entirely too much time of being still." After I showered and gathered my thoughts, I made a note to remind myself to let the tech know some of the markers had shifted.


The next morning, the first thing I did was tell Megan about the event the morning before. Laying there on the table, she gave me some great news. All is well. Whew! That was a close call. Treatment on Monday went well and I was on my way.


This morning after my treatment, I met with my doctor. (Typical event on Tuesdays) I asked her what can be done to prevent the stickers from falling off of me if I want to jog, run or just do yard work and happen to get sweaty. She smiled and said that the solution was to get tattoos. What? I was shocked. She chuckled a bit and told me that it would be little dots on me and they would look like small moles. In my mind I said, "Well, heck yes, sign me up!" But to her I said, "Oh, well that sounds simple. Do I have to wait to give you a decision next week." No, I could tell Megan and she can do it after my appointment tomorrow morning. As I left the appointment, all I could think about was how great the solution is to this issue. I know I will not be running every day, but at least I can shower normally and not have to be so careful. Plus, what are a few dots...I can live with them.

Finesse

I have friends in all corners of the world and tucked away in super-cool places around town. One friend of mine that usually travels a lot was one that I wanted to share my news with face-to-face, but I think I may have blown it today. I told her over email that I have cancer and included the address to my blog. How insensitive of me breaking the news like this - via email and closing the message with "I have to run to a meeting. Talk to you later." However, I may have sent you a text and followed up with a phone call or you may have been on the receiving end of an email. I can deliver a presentation to a room full of strangers but when it comes to sharing news like this with people I call family or friend, I have no finesse. I know she is a great friend because we are quickly meeting over lunch in a couple of days. Where have all my manners and grace gone? Well, if you find them, please send them home, where they belong.

Item # 47: Be kinder than you have to be and treat others like you would like to be treated.

I love your guts!