Day 284

365 days ago at 8:30am October 11, 2010 I walked into the ER. The sore on my head had started bleeding in the early morning and I couldn’t make it stop. I had no idea that 5 days later I’d wake up in another hospital in the ICU. By the time I woke up I’d had brain surgery and plastic surgery. I had a breathing tube helping me breathe. The following day (Saturday) I learned that I had basal cancer.
Since then I’ve spent 13 days in the hospital and 5 days in a rehab facility finishing up a course of IV antibiotics.
In March I had a second skin graft surgery, http://www.pagliotti.com/newsoapbox/?p=1718.
In May I started my 32 radiation treatments, http://www.pagliotti.com/newsoapbox/?p=2038
In June I completed my 32 radiation treatments, http://www.pagliotti.com/newsoapbox/?p=2295 and http://www.pagliotti.com/newsoapbox/?p=2315
In August I found out that a follow up MRI showed “something” residual, http://www.pagliotti.com/newsoapbox/?p=2705
and in between all this I told you about my family, http://www.pagliotti.com/newsoapbox/?p=687
I told you about my nurses, http://www.pagliotti.com/newsoapbox/?p=675
and
I told you about my friends, http://www.pagliotti.com/newsoapbox/?p=2966
By the Numbers …
It’s been …
- 1 year since I walked into the ER
- 364 days since my first surgery (brain)
- 363 days since my second surgery (plastic)
- 351 days since I left the hospital for rehab
- 347 days since Ieft rehab to come home
- 284 days since the 365 Days of Carol Anne project started
- 264 days since since I got the all clear from the neurosurgeon that the blood clot in my brain was in fact gone
- 215 days since my biopsy came back negative and I learned that the cancer had not spread
- 205 days since my second skin graft
- 107 days since my last radiation treatment
- 68 days since I found out the cancer may not be gone (Fact: It could be gone, they just don’t know)
- 17 days until I see my oncologist again to find out the results of this round of MRIs (fun fact: I came home from on October 27, 2010. I’m hoping this coincidence is an indication of good outcome)

This is the stack of cards and letters I've received since October 11, 2010. They've been a joy and a comfort to me. I've kept them on the table next to my chair since I got home from the hospital. Some even decorated my multiple hospital and rehab rooms. I think today I'll finally put them away.
(click on the photo to go to my Flickr page to see every card I received, inside and out)
To those of you who’ve been there all the way, thank you. For all those who’ve offered love and support and kindness, thank you. For everyone out there who reads every day, thank you. I love you all. I hope next year’s blogs will be filled with discussions about pop culture and politics. Thank you for being part of my life. I love you all.
With much love & great affection,
~ Carol Anne