The nodes are clear!

Good news! My mother learned that her lymph nodes are clear of cancer. That's significant because cancer can spread through the body either through the bloodstream or through the lymph nodes. In breast cancer, the breast cancer cells can move into the sentinel lymph nodes and then to other parts of the body. When cancer spreads from one part of the body to another, it is called metastasis. In the TNM system, TNM stands for Tumor, Nodes, and Metastases. Each of these is categorized separately and classified with a number to give the total stage. T Classifies the extent of the primary tumor, and is normally given as T0 through T4. T0 represents a tumor that has not even started to invade the local tissues. This is called "In Situ". T4 on the other hand represents a large primary tumor that has probably invaded other organs by direct extension, and which is usually inoperable. N classifies the amount of regional lymph node involvement. It is important to understand that only the lymph nodes draining the area of the primary tumor are considered in this classification. Involvement of distant lymph nodes is considered to be metastatic disease. The definition of just which lymph nodes are regional depends on the type of cancer. N0 means no lymph node involvement while N4 means extensive involvement. In general more extensive involvement means some combination of more nodes involved, greater enlargement of the involved nodes, and more distant (But still regional) node involvement. M is either M0 if there are no metastases or M1 if there are metastases. I believe that my mother is a T0N0M0, which hopefully means that no chemotherapy is needed. She'll know the answer to that question next week. Yet again, it's hurry up and wait! All of this anxiety is making my weird dreams continue!

The last dream had me and my friend Sharon attending a concert. I asked her to lock my purse in her car so I didn't have to take it into the concert. Well, she didn't lock the car and my purse was stolen along with the money that was in it. I was so angry with her but she didn't seem at all concerned. That just made me even madder! I was stomping around cussing but still no reaction from her! Damn friends! To dream that you lost your purse, denotes loss of power and control of possessions. It also suggests that you may have lost touch with your real identity. To see a parked car in your dream, suggests that you need to turn your efforts and energies elsewhere. You may be needlessly spending your energy in a fruitless endeavor. Alternatively, a parked car may symbolize your need to stop and enjoy life. To dream that you lose money, signifies temporary unhappiness in the home and a few setbacks in your affairs. You may be feeling weak, vulnerable, and out of control in your waking life. But to dream that you are at a concert, represents harmony and cooperation in a situation or relationship in your waking life. You are experiencing an uplift in your spirits. To see your childhood friend in your dream, signifies regression into your past where you had no responsibilities and things were much simpler and carefree. You may be wanting to escape the the pressures and stresses of adulthood. Consider the relationship you had with this friend and the lessons that were learned. So, what is this dream telling me? To stop and reevaluate? I am definitely not feeling weak, vulnerable or out-of-control-quite the opposite in fact! I am planning a trip to visit Sharon and Karen soon so perhaps that's the longing for a simpler time? But I'm feeling great and feel like I have returned to a simpler time because of roller derby!