First Solo Metro Experience

Things I've learned living in/about Greenlake:
1. There are as many dogs as people
2. Dogs don't mind wearing soiled poop bags on their back as long as they get to go outside
3. Dressing up is wearing Lululemon
4. One out of two drivers stop for pedestrians (a great ratio for the city)
5. People smile when you walk/jog by
6. Bus routes are convinent to get into the city, or anywhere else you need to go

So far, this neighborhood is perfect for me. I am officially in love.

Our house is a complete disaster zone, although better by the hour.

We live one block from a bus route and three blocks to another. This afternoon I am going to attack the metro to get to my doctor appointment on Capital Hill. I am nervous and excited to navigate the city alone. We'll see how it goes! It had been sunny and warm, but the clouds are rolling in. I might be walking in the rain. I guess it's now or never - maybe it's best I just jump in and get my feet wet :) It's going to be raining indefinitely for the next 10 months anyway. I kid, I kid - I'm sure there'll be a few rainless cloudy days too.

Little Bad Mole

About a month ago I had an appointment with a dermatologist to check all of my moles. Unfortunately, two moles were removed and one of them came back with precancerous cells. Although it's not a very big deal, the pathology showed that there is still some precancerous cells in the area around what was previously the mole. I was supposed to have a one hour procedure tomorrow to remove the rest of the dangerous area, but this morning I panicked.

You see, the area in question is on my breast. The doctor already removed a big chunk and she wants to go back in. I'm antsy, nervous, apprehensive, and all around sick about the thought of going back in. A woman's breast is a very private area, and is such a symbol of femininity. The first procedure took three weeks to heal, and now it's a big ole' lump of scar tissue.

I might not be able to avoid another procedure, but I cancelled the one for tomorrow which was supposed to take place in Wenatchee. Instead, I called Virgina Mason in Seattle which is a leading medical center for dermatology. I have an appointment for Friday to have an initial meeting, at which point I will have a referral for the surgery.

It's odd, I have been more upset about this silly little procedure than my brain tumor surgery. At least I now know that I will be in the hands of the best at Virginia Mason. I've learned a lot about medical things in the past year and a half, one of them being, go to the best whenever you can. It's your body, and anything less than the best is less than you deserve. Follow your gut and don't feel bad. It's your body and you are your best advocate.

I know that this goofy little mole thing that I'm cleaning up on my breast is absolutely NOTHING like breast cancer, but it makes me feel for all of the women that have (or have had) breast cancer. That is some scary, scary stuff and for me it has been incredibly violating. I have a whole new respect for breast cancer fighters, survivors, and victims. I admire you. Truly.