PET/CT RESULTS

THIS was a busy week for us, but some good results.  Plastic surgeon follow-up on Tuesday, pretty uneventful.  Pet/CT on Wednesday at Lake Medical Imaging.  Lots of hugs and familiar faces from the techs and students I miss seeing, and the Nuc Med techs treating me so kind.  They even helped me out with a small dose of valium to relax me and ease the discomfort.  The needle and injection had to go in the top of my foot which was NOT fun and took two tries, but Ron was gentle and apologetic.  The worst part as some might know is the two cups of NASTY drink beforehand.  After the initial short CT portion, they let Kenny come in the room with me.  The whole time on the table was only about 20 minutes.  Not too bad.  Then it was on to the Echocardiagram on Thursday at the Lake Sumter Landing office.  Again, more welcoming faces and hugs.  And again, David, the ultrasound tech was gentle and compassionate and made sure I was comfortable through an awkward test.

Finally, to our oncologist on Friday to get results of Pet/CT and blood work.  PRAISE GOD!  The Pet/CT showed no other areas of tumor activity throughout the body.  It checks from "eyes to thighs".  Kenny and I waited anxiously and prayerfully for our oncologist to enter the room.  He gave us the news right away as he walked in that the Pet and bloodwork looked good.  Sweet words to our ears.  The Echo results weren't back yet, the purpose being to test the strength of my heart muscle because one of the chemo drugs I'll be taking for the first 4 rounds is hard on the heart...Adriamycin.

Dr. Wright is working so hard to make everything, travel-wise, as easy on us as possible, even offering to let Kenny give me my Neulasta shot at home instead of making a second trip the day following chemo back down to Tampa just for a shot.  I'm still getting used to that idea!!-no offense hun.  Any nurses out there want to volunteer?  I will have my first chemo on Nov. 15 giving me time to heal after Monday's axillary surgery.  Dr. Wright even told me the exact day I can expect to start losing my hair.  I'm trying to be okay with that one, but who in the world could be.  Ironically, a nice young man complimented me on my hair in a store just this week...if he only knew!  Tyler (my oldest son) says to just go for the "Katie Perry blue wig"look.  Not quite sure about that one, but who knows.  Being Halloween this is the perfect time to pick up some cute, yet inexpensive wigs for about $8 bucks!  We'll see.

Mentally, getting ready for Monday's surgery and being knocked back down again.  Today I spent most of the day in bed feeling like crap which really ticked me off being my last good weekend for a while.  I had big plans to spend the day sorting through insurance forms and the stack of bills that have now begun to form on the counter.  Feeling crappy took all the "fun" out of my Saturday plans.  My friend Janet said my intestinal and overall yuckiness is probably the last of the PET working its way out.  Same happened to her.  Hoping for a better day at church tomorrow, and again...thankful for a positive week.

I want to say thanks to everyone for remembering Kenny in your prayers as well when you think of us.  This week was an especially heavy one for him.  He had the weight of the world on him at moments and he's been so strong for me each step of the way.  I remember what its like to be the caretaker.  The ordinary cares and demands keep pressing in along with the new crisis you now deal with daily.  Thanks to those who've been faithful to reach out to him specifically.  It means a lot to him and to me.
Oh, and THANKS SO MUCH for all of you guys - students, family and friends who've already signed up for the Making Strides walk on Oct. 22.  Every name that pops up humbles me even more.  Love all you guys.