Six more month free!

Today, Dec 2, 2011 is the longest I've gone since my first Sarcoma diagnosis in Jan of 2007 without seeing a doc or have a test of some sort. It had been six months, and I was used to every three since the beginning. But good news for me. My chest CT is clear and we will not do another until June 2012' along with an MRI on my leg, as a yearly precaution. I had some big concerns this time that turned out to be nothing. There was a lump above my right thigh, Doc O deemed nothing He believes much of my pain in my leg is "his fault" from all the vascular stuff he had to cut out to take out the tumor and vein reflux is just part of it. There are simple enough procedures to handle this. When the cardio vascular surgeon learned I'd had two thorochotomies he and a new found respect for me like I was a war hero I will deal with this vein thing in a few weeks. Another concern i had was this upper respiratory infection I am fighting and how that might present some "spots" on my lungs. My first thorochotomy turned out to be an infection and not sarcoma, and I am determined to never be cut like that again if I don't have to be.

It was all a great relief and we are both so pleased! Boy, will I sleep good tonight! Our Xmas trip to England is stil up in the air as Bob has jury duty and we don't know how long he will be tied up with that and I have lots of work to do before year end. Bob!a going to be a grandpa in mid Jan so he may need to schedule his trip then instead. We will know more next week.

We hope you enjoy your weekend I know I am cherishing every moment of mine! By the way, as a early holiday gift, Bob made the first two years of this blog as a hard back book so I guess I am published now. I am hoping either Angelina Jolee or Halle Berry plans me in the movie!

Take care, and have a wonderful holiday,
Love,
Geri

Super news!

I had CTs on chest, abdomin and pelvic area as well as leg MRI and all is good. In fact,I sort of got promoted. I don't have to have chest CT for 6 months (had been every 3) and others for another year (vs 6 months). Doc O felt I'd been clear a long enough and did not want me to have so much radiation from Cts. Also, he'd consulted with other docs at a conference and their frequency for cases like mine was all over the place, so he felt sure this would be ferquent and not put me at risk. He said if I started feeling insecure about it or felt something was not right to call and come in sooner. As long as he is comfortable with this, so am I! We did talk about the fact I've seen him every 90 days for 4 years, so if I start missing him I should drop by for a visit and bring a 6 pack of beer. Very upbeat and positive vist and great way to start a wonderful holiday weekend.

Next scans not till Dec so we can make vacation plans probably through year end with out fear of any changes or surprise treatments! It is very weird being this "free" but a weird I really want to get used to feeling!

Assuming no problems that pop up before, I probably won't blog again till mid December. All is good, and we are attempting to live a very normal, and boring life! Yea!

Good news!

I got another "lungs all clear" report from Doc O today. It took so long to see him again that he had already gotten the written report from Radiology confirming what he saw-- or what he did not see, so it is official. We will do it all over again on May 20, including leg MRI, abdomin and pelvic area this time. The only change is I no longer have to have contrast. It is yucky stuff to drink, but the worse part is what they shoot up Your veins. It sends this warm sensation throughout your body. I always feel like I wet my pants! Then you kinds of feel yucky for a couple of hours; it is not awful, but just a pain!

Speaking of 'pain" - Doc O and I did discuss my leg/hip discomfort. He pretty much just said "it was just going to hurt" - all the radiation, surgery, scar tissue, disconnected and reconnection etc. So it is what it is and is nothing that I should be scared of - just something I live with! I get massages every two weeks, take some non narcotic pain medicine, stretch a lot and get on with life. And now I am going to get dressed for my tennis lesson! There were so many times, I thought I'd never get to say that again! I am a lucky girl!

Scan date changed!

Just wanted to let you know my doctor's plans changed, so my appointment changed, and I am not having my CT scan (was scheduled for today) until next Wednesday late afternoon. I promise to update as soon as I can next Wednesday night. Thanks so much for keeping up with me!