I am so sorry I worried some of you by not blogging after my scans yesterday. It was all good news but everything ran late, and I rushed home just in time to head back to Emory for my sarcoma suport group last night. It was an exhausting day with full CT scans (chest, abdomin and pelvic area) and MRI on my leg. Then we had a long wait to see DocO. Often, when he sees me the full radiology written report is not in, but he has reviewed the scans and can generally tell what they are revealing. He always emphasizes there is a lot of scar tissue so there could be something he is not seeing, that the radiologist will pick up, but he has not been wrong yet. While our long wait to see him yesterday produced a lot of panic on my part, it was enough time to get the full written radiology report which was great news that showed nothing new and all clear!
DocO was a little concerned that I looked a little tired. I told him that since there was NED (no evidence of diease) meaning no cancer, that my being tired was not his problem but one I would take up with my family practice doc. I have been pretty stressed about these scans for the last couple of months so I think that is probably why I am tired all the time. Funny - I feel alot better today! But I will go get some blood run and see if there is more to it. But one thing for sure-- it is not sarcoma! The do a CT on my chest every 3 months but only look at pelvic, abdomin and leg every 6 months. That makes me more nervous about these scans as it seems like some bad stuff could grow in that time frame. I keep forgetting that if the docs thought that was an issue they would run the tests more frequently, but logic really does not come into play for me around scan time. I just get in panic mode and can't focus on much else!
I went to my Sarcoma support group and we talked alot about scan anxiety, and we all felt the same way. It is a great "rush" when the doc tells you all "looks good" and then about 20 minutes later you start sinking because you know that good report is only "good" for the next 90 days till the next time. You don't have a lot of time to celebrate the good news. Fortunately, the sinking feeling only last a few days and then you get on with life. Sharing all that at support group last night really helped me get past that alot quicker so I am already on the upside now!
We have been taking a lot of long weekend vacations the last couple of months so that and work has kept me occupied and not thinking so much lately. We have been visiting friends in Navarre Beach, Sarasota, Denver and Steamboat Springs, CO and it has been great. They have been good relazing vacations and gotten to spend wonderful time with good friends. This weekend we have a friend Debbie visiting us from St. Louis that we have not see in about 10 years. We go to Birmingham for Thanksgiving next Thursday, and then Bob is off to England on Dec 7 for Christmas. I will join him on the 21st, and we are both really looking forward to that.
Next scans are Feb 16 and I don't even see the DocO till 3:30 which really means about 5pm. So I will promise to blog that night but know it will be later since we will be coming back in Atlanta rush hour so who knows how long that will take.
We wish you all a wonderful holiday season. Again, we have an awful lot to be thankful for. All of you and your support are a major part of that!
Thursday, November 18, 2010
Friday, August 13, 2010
A good Friday the 13th
What a good day! I had a chest CT today and DocO gave me an "all clear", so once again it is a big relief. For the last year, my CTs have not just been chest but also abdomen and pelvic area and I had to drink a contrast the night before and day of as well as have an IV during the CT. I did not realize the order for today's scans had changed, so I drank the yucky contrast last night. As I was downing the last bit in the waiting area today, Terri, the CT Tech saw me gulping it, and told me I wasn't having contrast today. I have sort of been "promoted" and only have contrast every 6 months, still scans every 3 months. When you have contrast, you can't have anything to eat from midnight the night before until after the scan. So I drank the stuff and starved myself until 11am (when I had the scans) for no apparent reason. But the good news made it all worthwhile.
I now have now been "clean" or NED (no evidence of diease) for a year (since my thorochotomy last August). It is hard to believe, it has now been 3 years since my leg surgery and about 3 1/2 since I started chemo. Sometimes it seems like yesterday and others it seems like a lifetime ago and that it really happened to someone else, not me. I am going to do my best to put is all behind me and forget about it for about 11 weeks. My next tests are Nov 17, so I am not going to start freaking out about them until Nov 10. That is a pretty good break!
Bob and I got back from England last Friday. He was there for a month and me a little over two weeks. We went a few weeks later in the summer than we usually do, hoping for better weather, and we got it. The temperature was about 65 to 68 degrees during the day (when all of you were in the high 90's) , and we had very little rain, so we got to spend a lot of time outside. I got to do a few walks with Bob and his sister Jackie, and others, but I did have a hard time on some of the steeper walks. My leg just does not lift up that well, and I am not so steady on my feet --but lets face it- I have always lacked coordination! But also I could really feel my lungs a little bit more, felt breathless, which kind of scared me and made me suspect my scan might not be so good this time. Maybe I just need to be in better shape and get back to the gym! So that is the plan. We had a lovely trip, and it was great to see family and friends. I could not help but be a bit anxious knowing I was coming back to CT's, so I was a little distracted some of the time. We will probably go back to England for Christmas. Our big decision is whether we wait until after my Nov 17 scans to book our trip, or take a leap of faith all will be well and set it up before hand.
I know so many of you bought Atlanta Sarcoma Walk tee shirts or made donations to the Southeastern Sarcoma Group, and I am so appreciative. They have not provided me a list of contributors yet, so if I have not thanked you, please forgive me. I just have not been told yet. We have a meeting next Wednesday night, so I am sure I will get all the updates then. We have 180 attendees up from 140 last year, which is great. I was a little worried about attendance since it was so hot and also because so many of you came last year, and would not be coming since we would be in England. But as I've learned, the world does not stop turning because I am not there, and I am so glad it was so successful.
We are finally back in the swing of things, over jet lag and now that I am not worried about my scans, it is time for me to get back to "normal" whatever that is! No more excuses! We need to both hit the ground running Monday morning. We have a low key weekend planned, so we will be ready to go. I have a long "honey do" list for Bob, and lots of work planned for me, so life is good!
Thanks for checking in on me!
I now have now been "clean" or NED (no evidence of diease) for a year (since my thorochotomy last August). It is hard to believe, it has now been 3 years since my leg surgery and about 3 1/2 since I started chemo. Sometimes it seems like yesterday and others it seems like a lifetime ago and that it really happened to someone else, not me. I am going to do my best to put is all behind me and forget about it for about 11 weeks. My next tests are Nov 17, so I am not going to start freaking out about them until Nov 10. That is a pretty good break!
Bob and I got back from England last Friday. He was there for a month and me a little over two weeks. We went a few weeks later in the summer than we usually do, hoping for better weather, and we got it. The temperature was about 65 to 68 degrees during the day (when all of you were in the high 90's) , and we had very little rain, so we got to spend a lot of time outside. I got to do a few walks with Bob and his sister Jackie, and others, but I did have a hard time on some of the steeper walks. My leg just does not lift up that well, and I am not so steady on my feet --but lets face it- I have always lacked coordination! But also I could really feel my lungs a little bit more, felt breathless, which kind of scared me and made me suspect my scan might not be so good this time. Maybe I just need to be in better shape and get back to the gym! So that is the plan. We had a lovely trip, and it was great to see family and friends. I could not help but be a bit anxious knowing I was coming back to CT's, so I was a little distracted some of the time. We will probably go back to England for Christmas. Our big decision is whether we wait until after my Nov 17 scans to book our trip, or take a leap of faith all will be well and set it up before hand.
I know so many of you bought Atlanta Sarcoma Walk tee shirts or made donations to the Southeastern Sarcoma Group, and I am so appreciative. They have not provided me a list of contributors yet, so if I have not thanked you, please forgive me. I just have not been told yet. We have a meeting next Wednesday night, so I am sure I will get all the updates then. We have 180 attendees up from 140 last year, which is great. I was a little worried about attendance since it was so hot and also because so many of you came last year, and would not be coming since we would be in England. But as I've learned, the world does not stop turning because I am not there, and I am so glad it was so successful.
We are finally back in the swing of things, over jet lag and now that I am not worried about my scans, it is time for me to get back to "normal" whatever that is! No more excuses! We need to both hit the ground running Monday morning. We have a low key weekend planned, so we will be ready to go. I have a long "honey do" list for Bob, and lots of work planned for me, so life is good!
Thanks for checking in on me!
Sunday, July 18, 2010
Atlanta Sarcoma Walk 2010 - Helping Save Our Lives
Dear Family and Friends,
This time last year, as I was preparing to go to the Atlanta Sarcoma Walk, I was also preparing for my second major lung surgery only 10 days later. I am lucky this year that so far I am clean and healthy – and NED (no evidence of disease). Unfortunately, that is not the case for the two members of our little group in Atlanta we lost this year, nor at least two other friends of mine going through current treatment at Emory’s Winship Cancer Center.
The “good news” is that Sarcoma only affects 12,000 new patients in the US each year. But that is also the “bad news” too. It means most people are not aware of Sarcoma, so the disease awareness and funding for programs, research, and clinical trials doesn’t receive the attention of more “popular” widespread illnesses. I am so lucky that Atlanta does have a top notch Sarcoma center at Emory, and our patient support group is very active in helping each other and bringing awareness to our community. The contributions we’ve raised have gone directly to programs created for our members and future Sarcoma survivors. It is amazing to think that donations to the Southeastern Sarcoma Foundation are helping to fund our Peer Partner program (where Sarcoma survivors like me can work with new patients as they go through our pretty torturous treatment regimen), or it will help fund research right at Emory to create clinical trials that might actually save my life.
Bob and I are devastated that we are unable to attend the Atlanta Sarcoma Walk this Saturday at 10am Piedmont Park. So many of you were there with us to walk last year, or bought tee shirts or made donations, and we are so appreciative. We hope you will consider doing the same this time.
I am attaching some info and links that will either give you tee shirt ordering and/or Walk registration site or direct contribution information. I know they have a limited quantity of tee shirts, but the donation site should always be up and available, even after the Walk is complete.
Many thanks to all of you for your continued support – emotional and as well as financial. Please feel free to pass this email on to anyone you think would be interested in attending the Atlanta Sarcoma Walk, learning more about Sarcoma or making a donation to assist our program. If any of you have Facebook sites or other social networking locations you’d like to post this on, please feel free to do so. Thank you so much for helping us fight this awful disease!
Fondly,
Geri
Greetings Sarcoma Supporter!
We are one week away from the 3rd Walk for Sarcoma Awareness to be held at Piedmont Park Saturday morning July 24, 2010 at 10am. After some delays and many long hours we are excited to release the website www.sarcomaawareness.org which is run by the Southeastern Sarcoma Foundation. This site is still very much in its infancy but will guide you with the information regarding the walk. Please click on the link http://www.sarcomaawareness.org/Sarcoma_Walk_2010.html for all the details regarding the walk as well as if you would like to pre-order a t-shirt (limited quantities, see attached design) and we will ship the shirt to you in advance so that you can wear it at the walk.
We are excited to also announce that we will be celebrating the day at 12pm after the walk at the Park Tavern. This wonderful restaurant is located on the corner of 10th Street and Monroe Drive and its patio will be our staging area. They have generously (through Matt Spelich) provided a large area with tables for post walk dinging or hanging out. We will have a short program after the walk (15 mins) to celebrate the day. Please contact me with any questions prior to the walk. Free parking is available on 10th Street and there is a $5.00 fee for parking in the gravel lot next to Park Tavern located off Monroe Drive.
We are expecting over 200 people this year to make this the biggest and best Walk ever!
Sincerely,
Ned Crystal
678-779-8572 Mobile/Direct
678-233-3201 Fax
Southeastern Sarcoma Foundation – Founder & 2 Time Sarcoma Survivor
www.sarcomaawareness.org
Emory Winship Cancer Institute - Survivorship Steering Committee Member, Peer Partner Committee Member, Sarcoma Support Group Facilitator
YACS (Young Adult Cancer Survivors of Atlanta) - Board Member
This time last year, as I was preparing to go to the Atlanta Sarcoma Walk, I was also preparing for my second major lung surgery only 10 days later. I am lucky this year that so far I am clean and healthy – and NED (no evidence of disease). Unfortunately, that is not the case for the two members of our little group in Atlanta we lost this year, nor at least two other friends of mine going through current treatment at Emory’s Winship Cancer Center.
The “good news” is that Sarcoma only affects 12,000 new patients in the US each year. But that is also the “bad news” too. It means most people are not aware of Sarcoma, so the disease awareness and funding for programs, research, and clinical trials doesn’t receive the attention of more “popular” widespread illnesses. I am so lucky that Atlanta does have a top notch Sarcoma center at Emory, and our patient support group is very active in helping each other and bringing awareness to our community. The contributions we’ve raised have gone directly to programs created for our members and future Sarcoma survivors. It is amazing to think that donations to the Southeastern Sarcoma Foundation are helping to fund our Peer Partner program (where Sarcoma survivors like me can work with new patients as they go through our pretty torturous treatment regimen), or it will help fund research right at Emory to create clinical trials that might actually save my life.
Bob and I are devastated that we are unable to attend the Atlanta Sarcoma Walk this Saturday at 10am Piedmont Park. So many of you were there with us to walk last year, or bought tee shirts or made donations, and we are so appreciative. We hope you will consider doing the same this time.
I am attaching some info and links that will either give you tee shirt ordering and/or Walk registration site or direct contribution information. I know they have a limited quantity of tee shirts, but the donation site should always be up and available, even after the Walk is complete.
Many thanks to all of you for your continued support – emotional and as well as financial. Please feel free to pass this email on to anyone you think would be interested in attending the Atlanta Sarcoma Walk, learning more about Sarcoma or making a donation to assist our program. If any of you have Facebook sites or other social networking locations you’d like to post this on, please feel free to do so. Thank you so much for helping us fight this awful disease!
Fondly,
Geri
Greetings Sarcoma Supporter!
We are one week away from the 3rd Walk for Sarcoma Awareness to be held at Piedmont Park Saturday morning July 24, 2010 at 10am. After some delays and many long hours we are excited to release the website www.sarcomaawareness.org which is run by the Southeastern Sarcoma Foundation. This site is still very much in its infancy but will guide you with the information regarding the walk. Please click on the link http://www.sarcomaawareness.org/Sarcoma_Walk_2010.html for all the details regarding the walk as well as if you would like to pre-order a t-shirt (limited quantities, see attached design) and we will ship the shirt to you in advance so that you can wear it at the walk.
We are excited to also announce that we will be celebrating the day at 12pm after the walk at the Park Tavern. This wonderful restaurant is located on the corner of 10th Street and Monroe Drive and its patio will be our staging area. They have generously (through Matt Spelich) provided a large area with tables for post walk dinging or hanging out. We will have a short program after the walk (15 mins) to celebrate the day. Please contact me with any questions prior to the walk. Free parking is available on 10th Street and there is a $5.00 fee for parking in the gravel lot next to Park Tavern located off Monroe Drive.
We are expecting over 200 people this year to make this the biggest and best Walk ever!
Sincerely,
Ned Crystal
678-779-8572 Mobile/Direct
678-233-3201 Fax
Southeastern Sarcoma Foundation – Founder & 2 Time Sarcoma Survivor
www.sarcomaawareness.org
Emory Winship Cancer Institute - Survivorship Steering Committee Member, Peer Partner Committee Member, Sarcoma Support Group Facilitator
YACS (Young Adult Cancer Survivors of Atlanta) - Board Member
Friday, May 14, 2010
Another good report!
I probably say this every time but, I really thought this set of scans was going to not go so well. Seems like my leg hurts more than normal, so I was braced for some bad news. It feels sooo good to be sooo wrong. Doc O said every thing looked fine. He did not have the final written report but had no concerns. He keeps reminding me there is a lot of scar tissue on the leg which accounts for a lot of the discomfort, among other things (like radiation etc). The anxiety a week or so before scans is probably more evident to me that anyone else, but I bet f few folks could tell I getting irritable over stupid little things. There is all this build upin my head for days before the scans, and then the doc comes in and with one smile and two words "all clear" it melts away immediately. I have my next set of CT's August 13, and they won't do another leg MRI for 6 months. Bob and I hope to get a trip to England planned before Aut 13, and unlike last year, we will get to go without the gloom of an upcoming lung surgery upon our return! Many thanks for all your prayers and good wishes getting me through all of this.
Usually I just use this blog to update my medical stuff. But I am such a proud aunt and sister I can't miss this opportunity to brag! Today, my sister Sydney, an elementary school counselor, was honored by her school with the dedication of they yearbook to her. She not only just received a national certification (RAMP) for school counselors (I think only about 300 this year countrywide - and the first ever in Hall County, GA) but the yearbook honor (made by the graduating 5th graders) for her commitment to the students, helping them deal with the past and prepare for the future. Her daughter, my neice Zola, also just won an essay contest about "What My Mother Means to Me" too. It was a lovely tribute to her mother. It is great to see such an incredible person appreciated all the way around!
My neice Erin, 19, (brother Michael's daughter) who has Downs Syndrome, graduates May 27 from Mountain Brook High School on Birmingham. Erin loves school and will get to stay on there till she is 21 but is so happy to be able to "walk" with her class. Erin has an incredible memory, great sense of humor, and much to her Uncle Bob's delight, a great love for English history.
Another of my niece's also graduating this year is, Jesslyn, sister Lisa's daughter. At her Honors Day today, she won several academic awards and scholarships (going to Bama of course) and among them she got a really special tribute. Jesslyn, on her own accord, got bands to donate their time, and held a concert to raise money to help with Haitian earthquake victims. This was a huge undertaking, especially for an 18 year old, ready to move on to her new life as a college freshman. In her honor, her high school, created the "Iris Jesslyn Whitehead Humanitarin Award" as a permanent part of her school, and it will be given when deserved to other students going forward, in her name. Pretty cool. I am always so proud of all our family, but today especially!
So with all these honors, and good, clean scans for me, it has been a pretty good week for the Rosemore-Tape family! We are so blessed!
Usually I just use this blog to update my medical stuff. But I am such a proud aunt and sister I can't miss this opportunity to brag! Today, my sister Sydney, an elementary school counselor, was honored by her school with the dedication of they yearbook to her. She not only just received a national certification (RAMP) for school counselors (I think only about 300 this year countrywide - and the first ever in Hall County, GA) but the yearbook honor (made by the graduating 5th graders) for her commitment to the students, helping them deal with the past and prepare for the future. Her daughter, my neice Zola, also just won an essay contest about "What My Mother Means to Me" too. It was a lovely tribute to her mother. It is great to see such an incredible person appreciated all the way around!
My neice Erin, 19, (brother Michael's daughter) who has Downs Syndrome, graduates May 27 from Mountain Brook High School on Birmingham. Erin loves school and will get to stay on there till she is 21 but is so happy to be able to "walk" with her class. Erin has an incredible memory, great sense of humor, and much to her Uncle Bob's delight, a great love for English history.
Another of my niece's also graduating this year is, Jesslyn, sister Lisa's daughter. At her Honors Day today, she won several academic awards and scholarships (going to Bama of course) and among them she got a really special tribute. Jesslyn, on her own accord, got bands to donate their time, and held a concert to raise money to help with Haitian earthquake victims. This was a huge undertaking, especially for an 18 year old, ready to move on to her new life as a college freshman. In her honor, her high school, created the "Iris Jesslyn Whitehead Humanitarin Award" as a permanent part of her school, and it will be given when deserved to other students going forward, in her name. Pretty cool. I am always so proud of all our family, but today especially!
So with all these honors, and good, clean scans for me, it has been a pretty good week for the Rosemore-Tape family! We are so blessed!
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!
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!
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
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
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