A Problem Already?

There is a problem at radiation. Even though I can't make myself sleep at night it seems when I'm supposed to be still as a cadaver my eyes close and my muscles spasm which is a very bad thing. I pulled myself off my marks for the machine. It happened Friday and the machine had to be reset, my CT test was scrapped for a new one and I lengthened my stay in the now torture room for another hour. No one was happy with me that day especially the patients with appointments after me and probably the staff too.

All weekend I've been worried about my radiation room narcolepsy. My arms are above my head and I can't bring anything in the room to stay awake although what would work. Maybe if I had pajamas on because I'm wide awake in bed.

I was going to call this morning to see if I could change my appointment to the mornings but realized the people I need to make those arrangements with are not available by phone. I'll have to do it today when I go for my appointment (wince, wince). I'm not looking forward to that. I considered drinking a big cup of coffee but I gave up coffee a long time ago--so I could sleep!
I guess I'll be eating a big chunk of my 90% cocoa dark chocolate and probably my next post will be typed tonight when I can't get to sleep.

Another lesson learned although at this moment I can't think what that would be.

The Plan Changed

When I arrived at the radiation office I was told there was a change. Instead of getting treatments daily I'll be getting them every other day. It doesn't make much difference except instead of two weeks total it'll be three weeks out of the sun. There's a Monday holiday in there and I don't know if they'll be open or not. I suspect not.

Anyway I had my first treatment and will have another today so we're on our way. I'll see the radiation doctor after treatment today and we'll talk.

What's Next?

I saw the radiation doctor at the end of April and it was decided that I would get radiation for the cancerous lymph node. That meant that I had to go to the Scottsdale office to get a fitting for the new "pillow" that would allow me to lie in the exact same position in the Tomograph Machine and 3 new tattoos.

It was nearly two weeks before they called me with my Plan. I'll be having 9 treatments for 15 minutes each starting Monday. I choose afternoons this time just for a change. There are no treatments on Saturday and Sunday.

The treatments can cause a skin burn and they caution patients not to go in the sun while we're receiving them. So I've cancelled my golf dates.

I golfed Friday with 3 ladies who always bring me good luck and shot a 90. It's been over a year since I broke 100 so I'm on cloud nine about my golf. I'll be eager to get back to it once my treatments are over. Wish me luck.

Boring but true

I haven't been going to all my workout classes because of the COUGH. I know it seems like such a small thing when compared to the "C" word, but it is driving me crazy. My son tells me that if I closed up the house and stayed inside with the A/C on my cough wouldn't be as bad. I'm sure that's true since it's driven by allergies. But really stay in the house? I need to see my friends at golf and I'm willing to suffer the consequences but not without complaint.

Saturday I went to Julie's class and worked out without too much jumping and that went fine. I didn't go to Kickboxing because it is a harder workout. I'll try Buns & Abbs and maybe that will be fine too.

Don and I hosted a Wisconsin party the last Sunday in April and enjoyed meeting new friends and seeing old friends. Some of them will be leaving for the summer and a few of them will be staying through the heat. We had wonderful weather so we were able to be outside the entire afternoon. It was a perfect day.

We'll be starting our summer session of Ladies golf tomorrow. I'm looking forward to seeing if I have my swing or if I'll be looking for it on every hole. Wish me luck.

I know, I know

Everyone has been reminding me that I haven't posted on my blog since March. This is the reason why. In the beginning of March I thought I had an upper respiratory infection because I was sneezing, blowing my nose and had a cough that sounded like a seal and seemed to come up from my feet. It's still going on and it's more than 2 months. Lately I have been getting worried that maybe it's pneumonia or full blown cancer. I was more tired than usual and was perfectly happy to sit in my lazyboy after working out or playing golf. I was accomplishing nothing during that time. I think all the coughing, sneezing, and nose blowing was sapping all my energy. I tried to keep hydrating with Smart Water (it has electrolytes), but it didn't seem to help. Some friends told me it was allergies and others asked me if I had seen a doctor about that cough.

My PET Scan was due in April and I just had it on the 14th. In the October scan I had 3 lymph nodes that were lighting up on the PET Scan, but this time I have one. I honestly had a meltdown in the doctor's office and it was caused by a number of things the biggest one being THE COUGH! Second thing was I had an 11 o'clock appointment with the Oncologist for the results. Knowing I would be kept waiting for a long time, I decided to do my workout class and leave a half hour late for my appointment. While I was near their office I received a call asking me if I remembered I had an appointment. I told the lady I was on my way and would be there in a few minutes. It was 11:05 at that time and I arrived 10 minutes later. As soon as I arrived they put me in an examination room and kept me in there long enough so I had to use the rest room twice, so more than one hour. I was getting more upset by the minute. Why do I have to come in more than 2 hours before I see the doctor? It's getting to be like the airport.

At first I was upset that I had a suspicious lymph node. I feel that I've been doing all I can to get a better result. But basically I just ran out of good attitude. The doctor spent a great deal of time with me and I appreciate that.

By the time I got in my car and started home my head started to clear. Then I realized that this one lymph node is new and the three I had 6 months ago are gone. I must be doing something right. I'm still taking Tarceva and it's working. By the way all my organs are in good shape.

I'm so sorry that I had the meltdown. The Oncologist didn't deserve that. It was the cough that has been chipping away at my patience. I need to make amends with my doctor and also let him know that waiting in the examination room is no picnic. The room is cold and drab. Just leave me in the waiting room where there are people to watch and talk to. I could bring my Yoga mat and do something healthy.

My energy level hasn't returned because I'm still coughing and the only way that will stop my doctor tells me is to get in a boat and park it in the middle of the sea.

My apologies for not posting sooner. I hope you'll understand now that you know what was going on.

Two Doctors in One Day

Both of my appointments turned out perfectly as if I had planned it and here's why: the Radiation doctor doesn't keep me waiting very long but the Oncologist keeps me waiting 1 or 2 hours. My appointments were an hour apart with the radiation doctor in the lead. I didn't have to do much waiting in both offices. I think I'll always set it up that way if possible. It also saves me a lot of driving.

All is well as far as the Radiation doctor is concerned. He always tests my mental and physical responses. So far I can find my nose with my index finger and my leg pops up when he hits my knee with the mallet.

The Oncologist was disappointed with the two blood tests because whatever numbers he was hoping would go down instead went up slightly. He thinks that I may have some kind of inflammation in my body, maybe even from the fall on my bike because my right leg and right elbow still are not healed. Good news I'll be having a PET Scan in mid April and it will be for the full body.

I'm still feeling great and wear myself out pretty well with all my activities. It's helped me a lot to do Yoga again. What a great stretch and since I can't have massages, it's the next best thing to having one. I was told when I did try to get a massage that there is a fear that working the muscles will make the cancer cells travel to different areas of my body. I don't know if it's true but since the seed was put in my mind I don't want to take a chance.

Don's cousin and his wife will be leaving this weekend. We certainly had a lot of fun with them and also with 2 other couples who all graduated from Don's high school and a couple Don knew from the Danish Club in Detroit. It was a mini reunion with lots of laughs and good stories.

Charlie came for a fast weekend when he was standing up for a wedding in Phoenix. We enjoyed every minute he was able to be with us. I think he misses the weather in Phoenix among other things. I hope the east has had all their snow as well as I hope Phoenix has had all the rain for a while. We need the water but....

Another Month Another Blood Test

At the end of this month or the first day of the next I'll be going for my monthly blood work. I'll see my Oncologist a couple of days later. I think I also have an appointment with my Radiation Doctor. We made the appointment in November of 2009 and I had no 2010 calendar so I'm not certain what the date of that appointment is. I guess on my "to do" list I need to write to call his office and find out. I would hate to miss it because he's a busy guy with lots of information.

Dennis arrived for the weekend. We made the most of it: exercise, golf and eating in and out. I invited Gary and his family for Brunch on the Sunday before he left. I also invited Don's cousin and his wife who are renting in this development. I wasn't sure Dennis or Gary would remember them, but they did. As usual I made Belgian Waffles and that made Ben very happy. Don's cousin made Danish Aebleskiver (pancake balls) for us on the other side of the kitchen and Sophie especially loved the "donut holes" as she called them. Dennis left after lunch the next day.

Charlie has traveled to Phoenix a few times this year. January was the first time when he was here for meetings and social functions. We picked him up at the airport and had a nice early dinner out and drove him to his hotel. The rest of his time was spent on business.

In February we received a call from Charlie and Beau telling us they were in Phoenix at the airport on a one hour layover to Hawaii. Their area was hit hard by the snowstorms so all flights and airports were closed for nearly another week extending their vacation in Hawaii. Luckily they didn't miss any work time because all businesses were closed in the DC area. On the flight back we had time to have dinner out with them while they were staying at Beau's brother's house. They had to stay another two days in Phoenix because of cancelled flights and closed airports as the next snowstorms arrived. So all in all it was an unusual vacation for them.

It seems like the holidays have gotten longer and longer. It used to be just Thanksgiving, Christmas and New Year but it seems like we're just as busy and gone for the two following months. I certainly am not complaining because it's been a wonderful time and lots of fun. In the back of my mind I keep thinking when am I going to get the tax papers in order for the CPA?

I'm off to Kickboxing today and later a trip to Cave Creek with Don, his cousin and wife. It's been a while since I had a chance to shop there and always a treasure hunt.

Hope all of you have either shoveled your way out of the mountains of snow or if AZ enjoyed our rainy days.