Wednesday, February 10, 2010

Moving to 90 day recall

Great news on my chest, pelvic and abdomin CT today. All clear, and now I move to 90 days for the next scan vs 60. I went to Doc O for these since Dr. D'Amato is gone. He did not like me being on 60 day cycle anyway as he felt it may be too much radiation. With all the scans I have had I am surely glowing in the dark anyway, and it is not my shining personality. My next scans are May 14. I was scheduled for an MRI on my leg in June so now I can have them all at once. And I got them to move me to Fridays so it does not mess up my work travel week so much.

I am working at home this afternoon. I've tried setting appointments later in the day after my scans. but I get so anxious a couple of days before, not sleeping well, that I think I am better off working at home after. I am now drinking some barium thing the day before and morning of the scan and getting an IV contrast, and it makes me feel a little yucky anyway. I am soooo relieved. I was certain this time (I probably say this every time) there was going to be something wrong. My lungs still kind of hurt when I yawn so I just knew that was a problem. This is the one time I just love being wrong!

My sister-in-law Jackie, Bob's sister, starts chemo in England tomorrow so please keep her in your thoughts and prayers for an easy and successful journey. Fortunately, this is a preventative measure for her, but chemo of any sort is no picnic. She will not loose her hair so that is great news. We talked to her today, and like always, she is in great spirits and staying positive.

All is well with us otherwise. Bob has just about finished remodeling our guest bath (except putting up the new door ) and so now I am ready to move him on to other projects. He can always tell when I am "thinking", and I know that must just scare him to death about the work it might create for him!

Hopefully there will be nothing new to report until next scans May 14 . Lots of people keep trying to get me to go onto Facebook, but I would not do that unless I gave up the blog and moved it there. I just don't think enough of you use Facebook - and quite honestly, my life is not interesting enough to post much on FB anyway - thank heavens. I love it when things are dull around here!

Thanks for checking in on me!

Tuesday, January 5, 2010

Starting the new year

We had a wonderful trip to England at Christmas. Bob went a week before me, so my trip was quick as I was only there about a week. At Christmas, our trip is totally about spending time with family, and not sight seeing or side trips. We got to spend time with Bob's kids (grown ups really) his Mom, sister and family, aunts, uncles, cousins and friends. We packed a lot of folks in a short period of time, and the trip was over before we knew it. The weather was just a little colder and damper than it was here, but does not vary that much from us this time of year.
Bob's Mom (aka "Nanny") had a minor stroke just before he got to England but she is doing great. It is nice we got to be there with her when she first got home from the hospital, but she was up to her usual baking ( cheese bisquits for me), cleaning, gardening, and we enjoyed our afternoon sherry and midnight Bailey's like always!

My scan dates have changed. I mentioned before that sadly, Dr. D'Amato, my chemo Oncologist is leaving Emory to do research. They set my scans for Feb 9, and called to set me up to see Dr. Saba, my former Oncologist, a week later. I guess I am spoiled, and that just does not work for me. I like Dr. Saba, but I cannot have scans and not know results for another week. I am used to knowing them the same day and would be a basket case if I had to wait a week. My orthopedic oncologist (aka DocO) told me I could have my scans in his building from now own, and he would see me with results just after. If scans give me a reason to need further treatment, he can then refer me back to oncology or Dr. Miller (heaven forbid) my lung surgeon. But we are going for good clean scans and happy visits with Dr. Oskouei. I am set up for my CT on Feb 10, and don't need an MRI until June. There is this nasty drink I have to take the night before and morning of the scans. Before, after my last scan, they sent it home with me so I would have it for the next time. They forgot this time, and I am so afraid I will forget to go by and pick it up. I have that "to do" on my calendar now and hopefully will get that taken care of in the next week or two so I can quit worrying about it.

Bob is going back to England for a couple of weeks so he can help out a bit while his sister has some surgery. I have some work trips planned during part of that time - Boston, North Carolina, and may even sneak over to Birmingham to see how new baby nephew Grayson is growing and changing. I have been getting new pictures about once a week, and it is so amazing to see how quickly he is changing.

Thursday is the big game - Bama vs Texas for the BCS national championship. Now I really wish we had planned on going. Sister Cindy and Clyde are heading to Pasedena tomorrow for the game, and I am pretty jealous. I hope they have a blast and bring home a 13th national championship for the Crimson Tide. We will be watching ( I am usually pacing back and forth) and cheering them on!

I will update again Feb 10, at the latest, just after my scans.

I hope you had a great holiday! Thanks for checking in on ours!

Friday, December 11, 2009

More good news - and a little hilarity too!

First of all I got good news from DocO today. My MRI on my leg came back all clear, and I do not need to have another for 6 months, which I think is the 2nd Friday in June. I don't even remember the date, so that is a good thing. Usually those dates are forever imprinted on my brain, so I must not be too worried and am enjoying the hiatus!
As I mentioned on Tuesday, I have lung scans in 60 days. If they are clear, then I will go back on a 90 day cycle. One sad thing - I learned from DocO that my chemo doc, Gina D'Amato just annouced that she is leaving Emory so I will be seeing the new Sarcoma specialist they are hiring. I don't have a name or know anything about the new doc. If the new one has not started by Feb, DocO said I could come back to him and he could order my CT's, which is what I prefer, as long as I am clean. I may have the next set there, and if I get moved to the 90 days cycle move back to DocO for the CT's.
Actually, I should be too embarressed to walk in DocO's building ever again. When preping for my MRI today, they had me put on some green scrubs with a tie around the waist. Since I was just laying down I did not tie the tightly. After the MRI, I walked back into the small waiting area where patients who have already been marked for scans and have changed sit to wait to be called in for their scans. They allowed Bob to be in there while waiting for me and there were two other male patients in there as well. I sat down by Bob to go through my messy purse to find the locker key where I'd put my own clothing. After getting the key I took about 3 steps away from Bob in the center of the room, and my overly sized scrub pants dropped to my ankles. There I was in the waiting area with my top and panties on, and pants at my feet. It was like a cartoon or bad sitcom. It was definitely an "I Love Lucy" moment. I grabbed my pants and quickly pulled them up looking around the room to see who was watching. The other two men had their eyes fixed on whatever they were readying (at that second anyway) and Bob was just in shock. We both just busted out laughing and had tears streaming down our faces. I got to the dressing room as quickly as I could to change cracking up the whole way. One nurse stopped me to see if I was ok - guess she though I was crying. I was still giggling by the time I got back to Bob, and had cleared that room and he was in there alone. I was a riot, and I still can't stop laughing about it. All I could think of was that DocO better give me a good report, because I was in too silly of a mood, to acccept any bad news! I am a bit afraid it will be on U Tube tonight from one of those other patients cell phones!
Bob leaves for England Sunday and I will join him on the 21st. We hope you have a wonder holiday. We will be back before the new year and check in with you then! Many thanks for watching out for me and following the blog! It is so great to be able to report good news - I don't care who sees me in my underwear!
Geri

Tuesday, December 8, 2009

Good scans!

It seemed to take all day but the results were worth waiting for! Nothing new in my lungs, and it appears other spots I have (a couple on my liver and fibroid tumor on my uterous) have not changed and have been there a long time. We got there at 9:45 for scans and they were an hour late. I did not get in to see the doctor until 130 but had an 1130 appointment. I think they were working me in in both cases as my original appmt was in the afternoon and they changed to "morning". Dr. D'Amato is very thorough and shows the patient a lot of detail. Unlike other docs I have had, she is not trying to rush you in and out, which is probably why she runs late. That is fine with me. I will wait all day for good news. The problem is that I always think it is bad news and she is doing more research to give me a plan. Now that I have had my second set of scans with her, hopefully I will just remember that the time is not an indicator. The patient room we have been in the last two visits has a mirror that is positioned perfectly to see her desk in the outer office from one of the chairs in the patient room. This time Bob was in the "right" chair, so he could see her looking at the computer reviewing scans, biting her sandwich between screens. Of course I thought if I had good news she would be leaping into the room and not sitting there calmly so I read alot into nothing! One day I will learn!
For some reason, I am not nearly as worried about my leg, and I probably should be since it has been 6 months since its been looked at. But we will have news of that on Friday, after my MRI and visit with DocO. So look for a blog update Friday night.
I must have been feeling somewhat confident today because I scheduled a 3pm work appmt today in Macon, thinking I would be out of the hospital by 1:30. I was an hour late, stayed there till 5pm and drove on to Vidalia where I am until Thursday. Typically I am too scared to schedule anything after a scan because I am afraid it will be bad news, and I won't feel like going. But it is not a problem today!
We've spent the last two weekends in Birmingham for family event, and especially visiting my new nephew Grayson. At just over a week old, he was turning himself over already. I am sure he will be doing crunches and yelling "Roll Tide" by January!
Bob leaves Sunday for England, and I will follow him there on the 21st. We both have a lot to do before we go, and I am really hoping when we get there we really can relax and let go of everything else. Last trip there this summer we knew we were coming back to my lung surgery, so it was more stressful, and I was really distracted. Not so this trip!
Thanks for looking in on me. I will blog again on Friday night after my MRI. I have scheduled afternoon work appointments for me so I am feeling postive!

Sunday, November 22, 2009

New baby!

Quick update! I have a new nephew thanks to Michelle and Michael! Born 3 weeks early tonight - Grayson Thomas Rosemore 7lbs 14 oz. Mom and baby doing great. We get to meet him later this week when we go to Birmingham for Thanksgiving. Grayson was born on his sister Erin's 19th birthday today! Aunthood is a wonderful thing!

Thursday, November 19, 2009

All is well

I just wanted to check in to tell you things continue to go well. I have not started getting anxious about my Dec 8 and 11 scans yet. I think keeping busy really helps. I feel pretty good. I actually put on a regular bra for a few hours twice this week. You may remember that both my lung surgery incision are right long the line where my bra hits. Since I had both lungs cut on, I have the scars to match on both sides. It was not too terribly uncomfortable wearing a real bra (underwire and all) although I am not up for 12 hours of it yet as the area is still tender. On my right side the surgery was two years abo - almost to the date- and it still can be uncomfortable too but I am making progress.
We had an incredible weekend driving topless (don't get too excited - just top down on the convertible) in our glorious Atlanta weather. We are busy trying to get things done before Thanksgiving vacation since Bob leaves for England just a couple of weeks later. He still busy renovating our bath and poweder room, and it is a very time for me at work trying to wrap up things before year end. Before my last trip to England, I had just learned I was going to have lung surgery again, so that overshadowed our vacation a bit. Hopefully, we won't have that news this time around.
If you have been reading this blog since the beginning, you may remember me mentioning Carol Lynn, another Sarcoma patient I met during chemo. She started chemo just after me and the nurses suggested I talk with her and give her some ideas of what to expect. We became friendly and stay in touch, and have even ridden to the Sarcoma support group together. Carol Lynn had another Sarcoma spot in her leg and had to have it removed recently. I just learned tonight she has an infection and will have to have several weeks of IV anti-biotics and a wound vac to keep her incision tight and heal from the inside out. I went through all this same stuff you probably remember - 4 weeks of IV's four times a day and about 3 months of that crazy wound vac. It is a long process and seems like it goes on forever. Please say a prayer for her! She has a great positive attitude and sense of humor and that will serve her well through all this. Mainly it is an inconvenience - for the patient and the caregivers - husbands in both our cases. I remember during that time I became so dependent on Bob. He was keeping me "plugged in" and managing my IV's and wound vac. Just getting up to go to the bathroom was an ordeal because I had to unplug the wound vac and IV and roll the IV cart with me. The IV flushes so much fluid through you that you are always havnig to go to the bathroom. Af ter it was over and I went out of town on my first business trip I cried till I got past the airport - about 40 miles. I was so dependent upon him that I was really scared to be alone. And this was the same woman who was single and lived by herself till she was 44 years old! Carol Lynn's husband seems like a great guy and was always by her side whenever I would see her at chemo (just like Bob) so she is as lucky as I am. It is just going to be a long 6 weeks for her.

And while we are giving out prayers, my friend Karen is having surgery on her heart valve on Tuesday. Karen was part of my "Department of Transportation' that transported me home from chemo. Please put Karen on your list too. There was hardly a week that went by during 2007 when I did not get something from Karen - a card, baked goods, email and like you, she still is out there checking the blog regularly.

We are off to be with family for Thanksgiving in Birmingham and Uncle Charles and Aunt Jan's and will stay with Michael and Michelle. Although it will be a couple of weeks early, I am really hoping their baby boy will arrive that weekend! I keep kidding them that a real Rosemore would not miss both the Alabama-Auburn game and the SEC championship with Bama playing, so I am betting he will arrive soon.

We have an awful lot to be thankful for this year, so once again, Thanksgiving will be important to us. We hope you have a great holiday and will get back with you after scan on Dec 8 (chest, pelvic and abdomin) and Mri on leg Dec 11.

Wednesday, November 4, 2009

Doing well, enjoying life

I have not updated in a while, and as usual, that is good news. I am feeling pretty good and working on getting my stamina back. But mainly, I am just working and watching a little tennis and football. Until this week, we have had wet weather and I have used that as an excuse to not go for a walk. No excuses now because it is just beautiful here, and I really need to get my energy level up so I can get back on the tennis court.

My chest CT date changed to Dec 8, and I have my leg MRI on Dec 11. I am really busy at work so hopefully I will not have time to worry about the scans for a while! Bob leaves for England on Dec 13, and I will leave to meet him there for Christmas Dec 21. My new nephew should arrive a couple of weeks before I leave, and I cannot wait to meet him!

Bob is in the process of remodeling our guest bathroom. It is going to be very pretty, and I am very excited. You cannot imagine how much a mess one small room can make. He's promised to have it finished by Thanksgiving, and he is making good progress. In the meantime, there seems to be a fine layer dust in every room in the house, and we have tools, fixtures, and "things" all over the house and that just drives me crazy! I am really ready for this project to be done!

I am still going to my Sarcoma support group each month and enjoying that very much. Until today, I was also on this Sarcoma "list serve" thing from ACOR (American Cancer thing). Mainly information about Sarcoma is funnelled through there and others with Sarcoma email back and forth. Everyone is very helpful, and you can learn about clinical trials, new technology, communicate with people who have your same illness or are sarcoma caregivers, and know what your are going through. There were a few people I emailed "off line" for a while, where our emails were just sent to each other and not to the whole group. Unfortunately, many of these folks are very, very sick. It is always great to read when someone had good scans and is having a good day. There are a lot more emails about really bad days or from caregivers telling us their loved one is in hopsice or has passed away. There are many sad stories, and the ones about children with Sarcoma are especially heartbreaking. Today, I realized this was hurting me too much, and I am not helping anyone at all. It is very painful and scary reading about the state the patients are in. I do my best to send them all my best wishes and prayers and be supportive, but, I need to leave the group for a while. It is so depressing and frightening. I "signed off" the list tonight so I will no longer see the emails each day. I feel guilty for leaving, but it is something I have to do right now for me. I am sure at some point I will sign back on, but I am just not able to do it right now.

Otherwise, life is good, and we are enjoying every minute. I am so lucky to be feeling good and am able to work and spend time with family and friends. Nothing makes me happier!