all done with this phase

This is what a fully radiated arm looks like -- swollen and burned, but done!  Gave the techs gloves from Title 9; Ben said last night, "Why do they get presents, Mom?  They were just doing their job." But some jobs are hard (how can it not be depressing -- Debbie Rothley, Halley Nagiah -- to spend all your time every day with cancer patients).  And they were very sweet.  They want me to come back and show them my arm post surgery.

Took Val for a walk in the glorious fall sunshine when I was done.  Then I came home and sat at my desk and apologized to all the folks who sent me emails about the spam that went out from my account this morning at 3 am.  I did wonder whether some smart ass spammer chose me because s/he was cruising Facebook looking for birthdays.  What a present!  I did get beautiful flowers from my brother and sister-in-law, plus cards (including the instant classic from B Dau, who always manages to find amazing cards), plus the softest robe ever -- Ben wants one out of the same fabric.  And, yesterday, this mystery jar of mustard from Napa Valley, where both of the Uncles Michaels have been in the last couple weeks, although each denies having sent it.  And body butter from our 'always there' across-the-street neighbor, Laura Ghayur, who really is always available to help out w/ dog and child and who brings

Later in the afternoon, Bill and I went to school conferences.  We saw five of his six teachers over the course of a couple hours that Marilyn Cohen (of Ladies Night) once called teacher "speed dating."  Of those, five think he's great -- notwithstanding that he's woefully behind in his homework.  Only one -- ironically the youngest and newest to teaching -- remains someone to whom he needs to prove himself.  And even that guy told us a story about Ben making a social decision that would be beyond most 9th graders' capabilities.  Now we just need to get Ben back to a happier and psyched place, where he both gets his homework done and looks forward to going to class.  Not a small task, we know, but this afternoon was somewhat reassuring.

After conferences, we picked Ben up at climbing and went to Zolo's for dinner.  We had a nice time as a family, which given how cross-wise we all got yesterday, was nice.  (Yesterday, Ben told me that everything I did was annoying, and I pointed out that was without my even trying to be annoying -- imagine what it would be like if I TRIED!)

Finally, there's been some amazing email traffic on the ACOR sarcoma blog.  First, Mimi (grandmother to everyone) posted a new article yesterday on reconstruction of soft-tissue sarcoma on the forearm.  If soft-tissue sarcoma is 1% of all cancers, soft-tissue sarcoma below the elbow is apparently 1% of all soft-tissue sarcomas.  Lucky me to have something so rare.  The article (out of Japan) was about the difficulties -- and successes -- in doing reconstructions on the forearm and hand, in part given how little flesh there is compared to how much structure (muscles, tendons, veins and bones).  Thus, the likelihood of ending up with real damage once the safe margin is taken.  The authors discuss using a lat or a muscle that runs along one's inner thigh (the gracilis) to do reconstruction.  Sort of unbelievable. 

Then, there was an exchange that started with Mimi posting and asking about experience or technology for dealing with "deep wounds."  There were a number of posts, and then someone piped up to say, she knows people spend a lot of time trying to avoid amputation, but she lost her leg two years ago and she's learned that she can do everything she needs to and even that she was used to doing, albeit in a different way now.  So she wonders why she fought so long to avoid the amputation.  And she's talked to lots of other amputees who feel the same way.  Safe to say that that post totally shut down the thread.  Funny in a sick sort of way.