8 = ??

Trying to think of this as a lucky number. Many cultures (esp Chinese and Japanese) do. Remember all those weddings taking place on Aug 8, 1988?

I have no plans to marry in the near future - or distant future, for that matter - but will still find August (the eighth portion of the yearly calendar) to be a life-altering month.

My next CT scan has been pushed up to August 21. The following day I will meet with my oncologist to discuss her planned course of action. I'm more optimistic about such matters than a couple of days ago (when it seemed more like I was "behind the eight ball", i.e. in a difficult situation) as I now know there continue to be treatment options available. In addition to previous mention of another round of radiation therapy, there are those chemo choices mentioned a few postings back.

Really do operate best when I have information that I can use to weigh available options. Lack of info results in an over-active imagination filling in any real or perceived blanks, usually with unrealistic responses that only fuel an increasing level of anxiety. Yup, knowledge truly is power. Once I have appropriate information from a reliable source, any given situation is better understood. I can then hand over the business of worrying to the professionals and get on with doing what I need to do to help move the process along.

So life will simply carry on as is until August 21. As for what happens after that? Well, only the Magic 8 Ball knows for sure.