Sunday, May 5, 2013

Cancer.... Keeps. On. Going.


Well, surprise, cancer is still here and chemo still bites!  Hot diggity does it ever!  Not that I’m expecting it to get any easier, but whew! Can’t a sister get a break! 

Round two is in the books!  I made it through all three days, to include Avastin, which I did not have with my 1st cocktail.  Its like the cherry on a Shirley Temple, makes it 30% better.  Yep, that is what some of my days consist of:  looking at my treatments realizing that one drug gives me a 30% increase in life expectancy. Yep, life expectancy, another term not thrown around often in these parts, but sadly, we all should sit back once in awhile and think about it.   Please know that I DO NOT spend my days figuring my odds, because A: I’m not a morbid freak and B: I only figure odds in Vegas! But, I do know what the future may or may not hold for me.  I like data, I like numbers.  Is it the teacher in me or the mommy who just needs to know the who, what, why, when, and where, but I like numbers.  The numbers the Avastin can give me, I’ll take, but….

Blech:  the chemo this time with the Avastin thrown in has been as my sisters and I would say, very barfy-mato.  Despite receiving anti-nausea meds in my Tuesday, Wednesday, and Thursday infusions, I’ve also been medicating at home with the rotating trifecta of Phenergan, Compazine, and Zofran.  Good times people.  Combine this with hot flashes, constant headaches, and feeling and exhausted, and Bazinga!.. crappy week.  Oh, and my white counts bottomed out, so I received a lovely Neulasta shot that gives long bone pain, and am grounded from work until my counts are back up.  Elementary school = 100s of kids = millions of germs = Suzanne stay home L.  This of course stinks, because I MISS WORK!  I miss my people, my pals, my babies.  I’m sick of the couch, the bed, the porch.  I miss being a mommy and a wife.  I’m sick of being sick.

I missed my daughter's cheer banquet today.  While I am so very thankful that a dear friend was able to take Mary Elizabeth, it still stunk.  I was snoozy, barfy, yucky.... I missed it.  I missed her getting her team trophy, and her best hair under 12 trophy!  Ugh!  We've been rocking those sponge rollers and teasing that bump and I missed it!  Cancer made me miss it.   My child's moment.  

I did have a few epiphanies this week though.  I made a new friend at chemo.  Her name is Theresa.  She is a pastor’s wife, and she is a gem.  She reminds me of my dear friend Deidra, in that she’s direct, lovely, has a smile the size of Alaska, and wears zippy shoes and has a purse to match.  She also reminds me of her, because with a single question, she was able to get me to look inside myself to see who I am.  I shared this on Facebook, but wanted to include it here to, as not everyone is on FB!

May 1
"My new friend Theresa, a chemo pal, asked me a poignant question today: "Who are you?" For some reason, it made me cry. I KNOW who I am, but then again, I wondered, really? "who AM I?' Well...

I'm a daughter to a gem who became a cancer widow at the age of 43. I was 11; my siblings 7, 16, 18. I'm a sister to Michelle, Pam and Scott, Laurie and Aaron, a cousin to Leslie, Kristi, John Howard, Steve, Tim, Tom, Chris and Keith. A niece to Sue, Sandy, Suzanne. I am a friend to rockin' people, and a mommy to two of the most amazing children ever. Think I'm teasing? Have you MET my children? really.. I'm a lover, an emotional gal, who also keeps things inside. I would perform violent acts against anyone that tried to hurt my family, yet, I want to make mean people nice.

I'm a public school teacher that sends her children to private school. I love technology in education and yes, I think worksheets are stupid for the most part. I prefer paperless teaching and learning and strongly support differentiated teaching. Not sure how to differentiate in your teaching? Give me 10 minutes.  Really teachers, not that hard!

I love our fat cat Harry, drive a mini-van that could use a vacuum, I use profanity outside of school, am very ADHD, and think chocolate is a gift from God, truly.

I am a PROUD American. I love GOD! Even though the big booger "chose" me for this battle, I love him. I am repeatedly asked how and why? My only response: because: if not me, then who? My daughter? My son? My husband? I will gladly and bravely face any battle head-on, than allow those I love to endure the pain.

I am a cancer survivor who is now a cancer patient, again. I think chemo sucks the big wazoo, but will keep going because I love to kick ass! I'm a girl who shares chemo stories with her big sister, because she is fighting the fuc*ing beast at the same time as I am. I'm a girl who weeps in the shower, PRAYING, this goes away, and stays away, from my daughter, my nieces, my sisters, me. 

Ask me how I am? I will tell you I am fine, and I am. I am fine.


Fine to smile
Fine to cry
Fine to weep while my hair covers my shirts as it comes out
Fine to cuss, nap, and ignore texts and phone calls and not care. 

I'm a girl who does NOT want to hear another person tell her of someone she knew that had cancer and chemo, and they died. Really? Who raised you?

I'm a girl with manners, values, grammar, and knows the difference between through and threw.
I'm a girl in love with a boy who gave her sweet babies, and is loving her through this beast of a battle. THAT is who I am."



The next day, May 2:
Sitting at chemo and a lady just asked me what today is and I replied " May 2nd, National Day of Prayer." 

Shortly thereafter, our chemo room looked like a pole dancing convention. All the ladies, even the wobbly ones were up and at 'em, circling up to pray for each other, our families, our friends that are by our sides. Thanking God for giving us this challenge and not those that we love. 

Needed this today. Needed this.....


Two very important days for me. 

So, now, I’m here.  Sunday night, fingers crossed that Monday, tomorrow, does not bring what the last Monday following chemo brought :x(.  Fingers also crossed that white counts go up too!

Down and out?  Me?  Never!  I can have cruddy days and moments, but so very much to be thankful for!  My family, my friends, you! 

A shiny spot?  My dear, lovely, dear friend Jessica started a Relay for Life team for me: Team Suzanne.  Kind of hard to swallow at first for me, but then I just let go.  I prefer to give and do, than to receive and accept, but I'm trying.  If you'd like to join us, please do!  I believe it is a private group, but let me know and you can join in!  
Lots of fun planned, superhero theme, tee shirts, cowgirl saving cookout....  

I am thankful for you.  Thank you for being thankful for me.

Be well, be amazing, be loved, be blessed.....


 






Monday, April 8, 2013

Chemo Stinks

Two weeks ago, I wrote freely about how I was ready for chemo, had a plan, knew my drugs, was going to stay in Nashville, blah blah blah.  Despite having a sister who too is going through chemo, hearing her, and seeing her.... I was unprepared for it.

The acutal process of receiving chemo is in an odd-way somewhat spa like for me.  A lovely welcome from the ladies at the front, proper snacks.. beverages.  Heck, they even make accessing my port quick, easy, and painless.  The ladies that I met last week were gems, pure and simple.  I did chuckle a bit, as they kind of sit in cliques :)  I'm the newbie, so I floated like a social butterfly on my different days, choosing a seat in a new location daily.  Insurance was still being stinky with the Avastin, so I did NOT receive it.  Stupid paper pushers.  I'm on tap for next treatment, so...

I did not stay in Nashville, as John was available to drive me, and the kiddoes even came with us on Wednesday, so they could see where I go.  By Thursday, I was spent.  CRASH! BANG! POW! she's done!  My sister Pam calls it the Sleeping Beauty effect... wowza!  I think sudden onset of narcolepsy would apply :).  So, I've been napping on and off since arriving home last Thursday.  That, with a headache that kicked in on Tuesday from the high fluid push, and oy vey!  By Friday I had a physically detached feeling, kind of like my upper torso was floating separately from the rest of my body.  Now, I knew that the chemo would nail me Days 3-10, but by yesterday, Sunday, I was feeling fairly alive.  Went to church, fed my chemo cravings of Doritos and Chinese Food, visited with my girlies Courtney and Staci....  I was feeling fair!

And then came Monday.

Nausea? too polite of a word.  3 anti nausea prescriptions, one 41 mommy, and one nasty, violent, evil, evil, yucky chemo day.  My question?  Is today the end?  No other choice than to find out!

With all the yucky aside, I'll take the chemo, and all the funky, gunky, junk it entails, as it means something very important to me:  life.

Hair loss "should" be less loss more thinning, we shall see.

If my counts are up this Friday, I'm to head back to work for 2 weeks next week, before my next round.  I'm excited and nervous at the same time.  Nervous to see if I can physically make it a whole day without napping, but so excited to see my friends and the hundreds of kiddoes I love bundles!  Nervous to expose myself to the germ-pool that exists in an elementary school, but excited to teach again!

xo
~Suzanne


Monday, March 25, 2013

Ready for 3 day chemo! Retirement!

Ups and downs, highs and lows... that is what I've had, and what I have felt.

I'm still not 100% and that is frustrating.  I have days I think I could run a marathon and days that I wish to say in my pjs, and nap away the day.

My port placement was quick and to the point.  A 6:00am arrival had me home by 9:00 am, including a pit stop at McDonald's for an egg McMuffin and parfait (healing powers!)  I felt zippy and energized, then poof!  crashed like a demolition derby car.  Just another layer in the ouch!, makes me tired, wears me out, makes me hurt categories.

I've recovered from it, with just a hint of tenderness at the two incision points, and am slowly adjusting to having the large butterscotch disc under my skin.  I cover it when people hug me, as they unknowingly bump it, and am adjusting to certain required changes in things I do and how I do them.  I've bumped it fairly hard a few times, oy vey!  My children are so learning some new words! *^&(!!

CHEMO
John and I went to chemo class today.  What an educating experience.  I feel confident and comfortable with my plan and the people involved.  I'm ready.

Chemo will begin next Tuesday, April 2.  Because nothing about this has been "normal," I get to be unique once again.  My infusions will be spread across three days.  Yep.  I get chemo on Tuesday, Wednesday, AND Thursday.  Lucky me :)  My Day 1 will be 5-6 hours, days 2-3 will be 4-5.  I will receive the three day treatments every 21 days, 5-6 treatments depending on toxicity and progression.

We are fortunate that the American Cancer Society has a Hope Lodge right down the street.  It will allow me to stay, for free, while I do my treatments.  John, nor anyone else, are allowed to come into the room where patients are receiving treatments.  With that knowledge, and the fact that I'll be there for three days... well... I'm thinking I may just stay there.

Avastin has been approved, so I will be receving a cocktail of Cispatin, Topotecan, and Avastin.  The Avastin was just recently approved by the National Gynecologic Oncology Group for treatment of recurrent cervical cancer, with patients in the clinical trials having an added 30% increase in life expectancy.

The only pickle to all this?  My cocktail is a tough cookie.  They strongly recommend that I stay home for my first cycle.  Yep.  Home.  More.  While I enjoy being home to a point, I totally miss my job, my friends and my kiddoes!  Combine that with not having any more leave, and well... I'm not at a high point in my joy.
I want health, I want life, I want happiness.  If that means staying home, living frugally, any changes that need to be made, I'm in 197%.

FAMILY
My sister is doing well.  She just completed her 2nd treatment and while tired, is still her joyous, loving, amazing self.  Such a gift my sisters are.  If only I could grab their homes and pull us all a bit closer.

This past Friday was a great day of celebration.  Family and friends gathered to honor and celebrate John's 24 years of service to our great country.  He was honored during his ceremony, being recognized for all things secret squirrel like.  My emotions were bittersweet: thrilled to have him home, but saddened to see him bid adieu to all he has known and greatly loved for so long.

John's 20 year old son Adam, was able to visit / attend the retirement with us.  It has been too long since we have seen Adam, and simply, it was truly the icing on the cake/cherry on the sundae.  To say the children love him is too simple.  He is their idol, their dream, the greatest brother in the world.  While I am fairly sure his shoulders are sore, I know that he would have carried Mary Elizabeth to the moon and back.  Time flew too quickly, and the plane took him back to CT.  We are NOT going to wait too long to see him again.

Johns Aunt, sisters, and cousin were able to join as well.  Hard to believe it had been nearly 5 years since our last visit.  The kids had a ball spending time with them all.

The children had a big time playing on the Blackhawks, getting dirty :o), and being recognized for their sacrifices as well.  It is not easy being an Army kiddo, especially one in our house.  Our children are professional sayers of "hellos" and "bye byes" to their daddy.  We/ THEY look forward to occupying his days with all they encompass.


    

Thank you to each of you who have joined me in this journey of love, healing, faith, and support.  While in the midst of my moments of selfish sadness, I find comfort in your words, comments, cards, and love.  I feel the prayers, karma and support.  Sometimes I feel they are all I have to get me through a moment.  

Be blessed, be thankful, be well~

xo
Suzanne


Sunday, March 17, 2013

PET, Port, Planning for Chemo, People

PET
PET scan was ALL CLEAR!  WOO HOO!!!

That means no more secrets hiding out in secret places!  Now.. to face the devil head on.

PORT
Up and at 'em in the morning for my port to be put in.  We have to be at the surgery center by 6; very thankful that my non-morning self lives less than 3 miles away.  My surgeon said the procedure takes approximately 20 minutes, so I will be home before lunch.

PLANNING
Chemotherapy plan is still in the planning.  I am NOT doing my treatments here in Hopkinsville.  After visiting  the medical oncology office here, leaving upset, scared, angry, and horrified, I took some time, some breaths, some prayer and long discussions with my little sister that was here, and my gyn. onc., Dr. Numnum, and realized the answer was right in front of me.

My treatments will be in Nashville, and I am so very much at peace with this decision.  Now, to get the ball rolling.  Dr. N is looking at protocol etc., but I should have a plan in place by the end of the week.  A drug that was just used in clinical trials in addition to what I would "normally" receive gave patients with a naughty, naughty cancer like mine, a 30% addition to their survival rates.  Avastin, in addition to the regular cocktail, is like throwing the kitchen sink at my junk.  Just need insurance approval...  I have a fair to good chance of it, as my 1st treatments, the surgery and radiation in 2012, failed.  We shall see.

PEOPLE
Telling your husband, sisters, brother, family members, and friends that you have cancer, AGAIN, stinks...

However, telling your children, seeing their faces, questions, tears, fears, and worries, is harder than anything I have ever done.  Tonight I shared my battle with the children's choir that I help with at church.  The quilting group of Hopkinsville FUMC made a quilt, and had it out, so that parishioners could say a prayer, and tie a knot for me.  Many of the children in the choir were at church and heard my name/saw the quilt and had questions.
Telling them was tough, to see their "big kid (2nd-5th) faces change/worry, was hard.  What was harder was what occurred when we got home.  At jammie time, after watching a movie, JM broke down.  My big boy, my big strong, freckly, blue-eyed baby cried, and hugged, and squeezed.  Then as quickly as it came, it moved on.  It just took Mommy's hugs, kisses, and for him to "feel" my love, and to know I was right there.

Mary Elizabeth witnessed his emotion, and while I recognized the worry across her face, she was okay.  She knew John Michael needed to hear, feel, and have Mommy.

Sigh... tough Mommy evening


My sister Michelle has come and gone.  My sister Pam surprised me with a visit too!  She and her girls rolled in Friday afternoon, just in time for fun in the sun and 75 degrees!  We had bunches of fun, and early Saturday drove to Nashville to watch Mary Elizabeth and her team cheer in the Mardi Gras competition. The  JAGS, her team, rocked it!  Adding another 1st place to their resume.  Because I still do not do well sitting / standing for a bit, we did not stay to watch the others as we normally do.  We headed back to home and were able to catch JM wrestle at his meet, winning 2/3 of his match ups.  Proud of my kiddos!

Well, chemo plan to come soon.  As always, thank you for taking a moment to check in.  This crazy roller coaster I'm on is manageable only because of a few things:  the love of my family, the love and support of my friends, and the support and love of the Big Guy making all the plans from above.


Be well, Be strong, Be bad-ass everyday :)



Tuesday, March 12, 2013

Xanax, Port, Chemo, Oh My!

I'm back! Whew! So, it has been nearly 2 weeks. Sorry for those creeping here daily, but I needed to go "radio-silent" as I say to my sisters...

Speaking of my rock-star, cougars and against cancer ass-kicking sisters, and Grammy too!:


Many have asked about my sister, Pam, who is also fighting her own battle with cancer. She as recovered from surgery fabulously, and began chemo last week. She is back to work as of yesterday and fighting like a girl! I'm still going to buy a lottery ticket and win, so she can quit all that lawyering business and come here!

Michelle is currently here! with two of her three. Mr. 17 months and Miss 3 year old, have kept me full of smiles and giggles so far this morning. Big sister wanted to stay NC so as to not miss school, PLUS have 4 nights of sleep overs with friends, woo-hoo! She has brought health, hope and healing with her <3

Grammy is hanging in there. Busy as ever with tax season, and day by day coping with all that late has put on the plates of her children. Big Daddy is taking care of her, but some hurts the heart cannot heal. I miss her daily and wish she was here to pet my hand.

I've been busy, busy, busy and John has been right at my side! Helping me, being both Mommy AND Daddy, and prepping for RETIREMENT!

Yep, next Friday, March 22! We are also having dinner catered here by Rutland's Catering!

Kiddoes! 
Our children do know. What do they know? Well, with the ages of 9 and 6, their questions and levels of understanding vary. 

They DO know Mommy is sick with cancer.
They DO know the sick is where my baby parts used to be.
They DO know I am going to take special medicines.
They DO know I may get a new hairstyle.
They DO ask questions almost daily. Yes, death has been questioned. 

It is okay to talk to children about cancer, and if your child knows mine, I ask that you please do. I'm not secretive, nor should you be. I'm more than happy to answer any questions that your child, or you may have.  

Here is my latest update...

Met with Dr. Numnum, my gynecological. oncologist in Nashville last week. Talked chemo mixes, my recovery, my outlook, etc.

What I know:
95% of people that had what I had last year would still be cancer free, I'm in the 5% (stupid percentages)
My cancer is nasty, highly aggressive
This is not going to be an easy fight

I'm going to stop there....

Fast forward to today,

John and I met with the local medical oncologist (chemo Dr.) and staff yesterday.. I was made to feel completely like a number, and by no means a name by the entire staff, except for the Dr., but had some initial concerns there too. I left in tears, my heart was racing, I felt defeated, when I had not even been given the opportunity to run the race.

I am who I am, and with that said, I called my radiation oncologist's nurse and was able to go to the other half of the office and meet with my radiation oncologist, Dr. Murray, who treated me last year, and shared ALL of my concerns from that day. He did reiterate what Dr. Numnum, had told me, that I can have my chemo anywhere, but I need to be comfortable where I do it, and with who. How is it possible that one half of an office can make you feel as if you are in an Aveda spa with a Buddhist temple like atmosphere, and the other side part third world?

With that said, I am considering doing my chemo in Nashville. I know the drive may be a pickle, but if you could seen me yesterday, well... you'd probably offer to drive me. John felt many of the same things as I did. I think we have been spoiled throughout this 13 month journey with Dr. Numnum, Dr. Murray, and even my regular OB-GYN, Dr. Gapp.

My oncologist in Nashville is just back from a national conference, where he presented and learned. His nurse called and said that he is excited to share some things with me, so we will talk tonight.

So..... here I am! 

PET scan is this Thursday

Chemo port being put in next Tuesday

Chemo tentatively scheduled to being the 25th of this month

Still not up to full speed, but getting there. Many days I feel like the fileted fish that I became during surgery, but my energy and ability to be up and about is increasing daily. Completely off pain meds, but am embracing Xanax for nerves/anxiety that has kicked in with all this.

I am so very thankful, WE are so very thankful, for all who are "with us" as we embrace and face this battle head-on. Am I scared? YES! Terrified even. Will you see it? Nope, but that is my choice. If you ask me how I am, you will probably receive a "great!" in reply, don't question it, just run with it....

I truly can feel the prayers, kind thoughts, and well-wishes, truly. The meals and cards, and my friend Sue's buckets-o-fun, have brought me more joy and strength, when I thought I had run out. I'm getting to see my dear friend Mary Anne bunches, as she drops items off, and am trying to see to joy in all things. I am a person of strong Faith, but I do question. I believe we can all attest to times of questioning our own faith. I do, however, remain faithful, humbled by God's glory each day.

Be well and big hugs,

Suzanne

Wednesday, February 27, 2013

One Week Later.... Yep, still Cancer!

One week after hearing the word...  CANCER

It is kind of like Jack Nicholson from The Shining, "I'm baaaack!"  Well, good, great, who the devil invited you?

It seems that my new/old friend has a name.  Metastatic Endocervical Adenocarcinoma.  Sounds fancy eh?

STAGE?  Everyone keeps asking, "what stage are you?" Nosy people!  (just kidding)  I will forever and ever be Stage 1B1.  Even though I'm all funky again, I'm just considered recurrent.  For those that are disappointed?  Kiss my needing-a-pedicure heel.  I am forever a number ONE, woo hoo!  No thinking about any other numbers, now you hear?

My innards (Northern family and friends: that is Southern for insides)  were pretty well fried from radiation.  The same radiation that I so proudly graduated from last April.  In my pathology report "quotations" were used around the terms ovary and fallopian tube, as they were a bit difficult to distinguish.
My right "ovarian" area had no invasive carcinoma.  Yet, the other right sided speciment AKA golf ball, was riddled with it.  My left "ovary and fallopian tube" and left sided remnant mass AKA squished cheeseburger/softball were also involved by the cancer as well.

All this ovary talk makes one think, oh no!  Now Ovarian Cancer?  Whoa, hold those reins partner.  As I said, my tubes, eggs and ovaries... toast, fried eggs, deep fried-carnival Oreos.  The key term in my "new" diagnosis is Metastatic:  Metastasis (thanks Wikipedia!), or metastatic disease, is the spread of a cancer from one organ or part to another non-adjacent organ or part. 

Different turf, yet still considered cervical.  Oy vey.  I remember after my 1st meeting with Dr. Numnum, that I felt lucky that I was surgical   Cervical cancer is a sneaky snake, that typically when discovered, is a Stage 3-4 and a honkin' mass.  He, Dr. Numnum, said it was not something that we wanted to come back.... (remember what I said earlier about the Jack Nicholson quote?)

Now, mine was surgically removed 2/13/12, and yes, it has returned.  I was lucky to be surgical, BUT my pattern of recurrence is dffierent, and not great..... I have an aggressive cancer..so I’m special?  I WAS the Baby of the Week, Newscarrier of the Week, and I am quite aggressive when it comes to athletics, my children, chocolate fondue and knowing my technology at school, but cancer?  Not a competition I wanted to win.

So my next steps are still a bit sketchy.

I need to:
See Dr. Numnum, my Gynecological Oncologist, next week,
THEN, have a meet & greet with Dr. Gajera, my Medical Oncologist,
then have a PET Scan,
then meet again with Dr. Gajera for my "plan"
then get a port to dump some chemo junk in my trunk
then start treatments

Taking it easy has been kind of hard, but I have only broken the rules once.  I have enjoyed wearing my jammies, my yoga pants that have never been to yoga (thanks for the term Whitney!), and proudly going commando each and every day (don't hate, have you seen the 10" vertical incision?).  Not sure what commando is?  Ask a 9 year old boy.  Between that and mommy monitoring her "gas", John Michael's abs have been a hurtin' due to giggles.

I was magically transported into healing by a visit from my sister Pam, her sweet Gracie Girl (8), Georgia (4), my  BGF (best girl friend), her lab Henry and her knitted knockers / foobs / fake boobies.  Pam has recovered fabulously from her bye bye both boobies surgery and heads into the world of chemo next week.  Please, PLEASE, continue to lift her and her girls up.  Please life up our Mom, as she tries to manage 2/3 of her her girls on chemo, and our baby, teeny tiny sister, Michelle.  Breasts? Cervix?  What if?  She's the healthy one, the healer, the one carrying our heartache.  She's also the one that will be the first to take a boot and shove it.... well, you know where.  All the while dressed fabulously in Ann Taylor, with her son on her hip, daughter wrapped around her calf, older daughter two steps behind, and her husband secretly squirreling undetected in the vicinity.

I truly appreciate all the offers of help, and I / we PROMISE to ask if we need any.  John has jumped in and is handling everything swimmingly.  Our crazy carpooling, was already kind of in place before I knew I was sick.  Meals?  Sure!  Random mail? bring it!  Silent prayers from your heart? Yes!!  We are thankful for them and thankful for each of you.

So, in the meantime, here I am.  If you text me to see "how I'm doing" and I don't text you back immediately, or even that day, please do not take it personally.  I love / enjoy each of you, but, well...

Want to visit, I'm here!  Come on over!  Grab the mail and the paper on your way in!  Guest room sheets are clean, you might just have to make the bed!


Well, now that your head is spinning and you need a Xanex with a Gentleman Jack chaser, I'll sign off.

Be brave, be strong, be gentle, be soft.  Have more faith today, than you had yesterday.  Believe in the good stuff.  It is there, I promise.

Be well~
~Suzanne

Friday, February 22, 2013

Heading Home!

I'm busting outta here today! Woo hooo. Still on liquids but I'm okay with that! Beer, tequila, Kahlua... All liquids!

Should have path report in hand before leaving... PET scan on 3/4 follow up here 3/6. Meet w medical oncologist (chemo guy) in Hopkinsville at some point.

No clue on what stage I am, nor do I have photos (eww!) of the freak of natures that I was incubating.

For today, I am Off to shower and fling rubber glove balloons across the hall at crazy moaning lady until John arrives to take me home!

Be well!