Wednesday, November 27, 2019
My seven-year-old, Mika, and I have been having quite the day. We started filming the last of her advent calendar videos for her YouTube channel and in the middle of one, the smoke alarm went off. It was so loud; I was sure it was the carbon monoxide detector. I took the carbon monoxide detector off the wall.
The beeping continued and I told Mika to take the carbon monoxide detector to the garage. As she went up the stairs, the beeping continued, and we realized it was the smoke detector. I was happy it was the smoke detector because there was obviously no fire, and now I did not need to call the fire department to check the carbon monoxide level in my home.
I had Mika climb on my lap to try to reach the reset button on the smoke detector; no luck. I had Mika climb on our two-foot stepladder to try to reach the reset button on the smoke detector; no luck. I had Mika climb on our four-foot stepladder to try to reach the reset button on the smoke detector; success! It probably took us five minutes to figure out how to get to the reset button.
We managed to finish Mika’s videos today with the smoke alarm only going off once more. We obviously need new batteries because it is alarming approximately every 15 minutes. Mika and I will deal with it until noon, when we leave for my weekly blood draw. I am feeling a bit sorry for the dogs. Our big dog is very distressed when the alarm sounds and it will keep beeping once Mika is no longer here to reset it.
Fortunately, Mika’s dad, Donald, is getting off work at noon for the holiday, so he can change the battery as soon as he gets home. I called him to give him the heads up, so he does not walk into a crazy house wondering what is going on.
I connected with the genetic counselor yesterday to get the results for my abnormal genes test. Turns out I was negative for all 86 gene abnormalities that are associated with a cancer risk. I am not surprised since I do not have a history of cancer in my family, however I am a little disappointed there are not any additional treatments available for me that may extend my life.
I did have one abnormal gene and the genetics counselor said most people come back with one. That particular gene mutation is not currently associated with any cancer risk or treatment so the information goes in the database and they will let me know if there ever is a connection found. I am not expecting any change in the few years I may have left, so I am finished with genetic options and left with my crazy chemotherapy schedule for the rest of my life.
I lucked out with my chemotherapy schedule because my rest week is this week and after my blood draw this afternoon, I do not need to think about cancer until Wednesday next week. We will spend Thanksgiving lunch with Donald’s family since he was raised in Colorado Springs and they are local. This will be the first family Thanksgiving I will attend for a few years because I was too sick (may I make it to 20 more) to go and Mika and Donald missed last year because Mika had a stomach virus.
My piece of advice to you is do what you can. I took the genetics test because I did not want to limit my options. If I had been home alone when the smoke detector went off, I would have either ignored (not likely) the blaring above my head or braved the cold, hopped a bus to downtown, and had a bowl of French onion soup. Soup sounds good to me.
Until next time,
Susanne
Please check out my GoFundMe page.
My seven-year-old, Mika, and I have been having quite the day. We started filming the last of her advent calendar videos for her YouTube channel and in the middle of one, the smoke alarm went off. It was so loud; I was sure it was the carbon monoxide detector. I took the carbon monoxide detector off the wall.
The beeping continued and I told Mika to take the carbon monoxide detector to the garage. As she went up the stairs, the beeping continued, and we realized it was the smoke detector. I was happy it was the smoke detector because there was obviously no fire, and now I did not need to call the fire department to check the carbon monoxide level in my home.
I had Mika climb on my lap to try to reach the reset button on the smoke detector; no luck. I had Mika climb on our two-foot stepladder to try to reach the reset button on the smoke detector; no luck. I had Mika climb on our four-foot stepladder to try to reach the reset button on the smoke detector; success! It probably took us five minutes to figure out how to get to the reset button.
We managed to finish Mika’s videos today with the smoke alarm only going off once more. We obviously need new batteries because it is alarming approximately every 15 minutes. Mika and I will deal with it until noon, when we leave for my weekly blood draw. I am feeling a bit sorry for the dogs. Our big dog is very distressed when the alarm sounds and it will keep beeping once Mika is no longer here to reset it.
Fortunately, Mika’s dad, Donald, is getting off work at noon for the holiday, so he can change the battery as soon as he gets home. I called him to give him the heads up, so he does not walk into a crazy house wondering what is going on.
I connected with the genetic counselor yesterday to get the results for my abnormal genes test. Turns out I was negative for all 86 gene abnormalities that are associated with a cancer risk. I am not surprised since I do not have a history of cancer in my family, however I am a little disappointed there are not any additional treatments available for me that may extend my life.
I did have one abnormal gene and the genetics counselor said most people come back with one. That particular gene mutation is not currently associated with any cancer risk or treatment so the information goes in the database and they will let me know if there ever is a connection found. I am not expecting any change in the few years I may have left, so I am finished with genetic options and left with my crazy chemotherapy schedule for the rest of my life.
I lucked out with my chemotherapy schedule because my rest week is this week and after my blood draw this afternoon, I do not need to think about cancer until Wednesday next week. We will spend Thanksgiving lunch with Donald’s family since he was raised in Colorado Springs and they are local. This will be the first family Thanksgiving I will attend for a few years because I was too sick (may I make it to 20 more) to go and Mika and Donald missed last year because Mika had a stomach virus.
My piece of advice to you is do what you can. I took the genetics test because I did not want to limit my options. If I had been home alone when the smoke detector went off, I would have either ignored (not likely) the blaring above my head or braved the cold, hopped a bus to downtown, and had a bowl of French onion soup. Soup sounds good to me.
Until next time,
Susanne
Please check out my GoFundMe page.