Wednesday, July 22, 2009

Followup MRI

I went for the followup MRI on Monday for the 8 spots they found on my spine last January. They put me in and out of the machine 4 times! What does that mean? They wouldn't say a word only that they were getting something strange and kept looking for things in my gown that might be showing up. Well, needless to say this didn't make me feel good. I know when you go for a Mamo if they take more pic's it usually means they saw something and want a better picture. John said it is because they couldn't find the spots from the last time...from his mouth to Gods ears!

So here is the best part, the doctors office called today, Wednesday, to say he isn't back in the office until NEXT MONDAY! okay so no one can give me the results? Nope he has to do it and he may want to do it in person. If he is out until Monday what are the odds of him calling then? He will have a pile of work a mile high. So on it goes I just keep praying that all will be well.

The good news is I had a nice time at my nephew Michael's graduation BBQ last night. It was a little rainy but we were under my sisters covered porch. It was nice since it wasn't too hot.

God has also kept me sane by allowing me to feel pretty good throughout this ordeal. I have had little aches and pains which I wouldn't even think about if I didn't know what was going on in my spine. So I will keep up the faith!

Terry

Monday, July 13, 2009

Nice time today visiting with my granny! My cousin Rob from Texas came to visit so we went up to see granny with his mom, my Aunt Madeline. Granny doesn't say much anymore but she looked glad to see us. She still likes to eat her dark chocolate M&M's! There were still blueberries out back for Rob to pick. This is by far the longest we have ever had blueberries, I guess all of that rain was good for some things.

GREAT news today my liver function test came back in the normal range. I am so happy! Now if the MRI on July 20th comes back with no change, or should I even hope that the spots disappear? I will be walking on sunshine, oh yeah!

Thanks for all of your prayers I am sure they are working!

T

Saturday, July 11, 2009

Well, its the weekend and it is bright and sunny. I had every meal out back on my deck today so that made me feel good.

John and I were out late last night/this morning since we went to see a friend of his who plays in a band. It was all the way up in Trenton so we had a 50 minute drive just to get there. They were pretty good but we didn't get home until 2:00 this morning!

I am still waiting for the results of my liver function panel. I am going crazy waiting for the results, I want to know but I don't. If the levels go up I will be very depressed b/c this most likely means the lesion in liver is causing some damage and may be cancer. I try not to think about it but how can I not? I just keep thinking that the 20th is marching closer and closer (MRI)... I am hoping for a miracle where the spots on the spine are concerned, can't they just disappear?

I am having trouble with lots of my hair falling out now and I hope it is just from the stress, but this is why the Dr. ordered the liver test. He also didn't like the look of my nails, very pale, horizontal lines and no moons.

Tomorrow is church with Jackie and John. I keep praying for a miracle...let the lesions disappear!

T

Wednesday, July 1, 2009

Well, I had to get up early today to go to a doctors appointment in Toms River. I had to have a spot taken off my arm. They tried to do it a few months ago but I found out they didn't get a big enough sample to biopsy. I told them not to just scrape it but they didn't want to do a punch biopsy soooo I had to go through it again!

Rain, rain, rain! I am just glad we had 5 mostly sunny days up until today. It sure does make me feel better when I can see the sun for a few hours. I hope the rain stops by 3:00 because I am supposed to go and pick blueberries with two of my girlfriends. They are big, blue, juicy and extra sweet this year! You are missing out Diane!

I took my Dad for a late Fathers Day dinner yesterday over on the island. We went to Ravioli and More and the food was pretty good. After lunch we walked up to the beach and sat and listened to the waves for awhile, it was bright, peaceful and the air smelled so clean!

I saw granny yesterday after doing her grocery shopping. She is getting so frail and really doesn't say much. I mashed a banana for her and she ate it right up. The poor thing was so hungry I think they need to feed her more.

Well, I better go and get something done.

T

Sunday, June 28, 2009

Its Sunday and the weather is perfect outside! I spent a good portion of the day on my deck under the umbrella reading and talking to a friend in Georgia. I had planned to have my lunch out back as well but Mom came by and she can't stand the heat. So I sat in the house and ate while she looked over Jackie's coffee fundraiser. She is selling coffee to raise money for the Women Engineers conference in California.

I went to Atlantic City yesterday with Jackie. We went to the Caesars pier and bought a new charm for her bracelet. It is going to be her birthday present. She wanted a palm tree, Florida girl ya know. We also walked down to the Tun Tavern and had dinner, she had tuna and I had mushroom stuffed ravioli. We went down to the Showboat casino after that to see Bob Harper of the Biggest Loser show. All I can say is what a nice guy. We bought his book and he signed them for us, took the time to talk to us and posed for pictures with each of us. Just a wonderful positive person.

John made it back from is 24 hour fishing trip to the Canyon. Brian and him caught 2 large tuna which they split up between them and the other guys on the boat. They were really tired but no rest since our hot water heater broke and he had to look forward to fixing that today. Luckily, my sister is in Turks and Caicos and I am helping watch her dog so we just used her shower for the past two days. :>

So my back hurt last night and this morning but thank God it is good right now. The pain in my upper right side is ok now too! One day at a time.

T

Friday, June 26, 2009

Well, I'm up and about so thank God for that! I am a bit sad about Michael Jackson and Farrah Fawcett passing away yesterday. Farrah put up such a strong fight and it really makes me sad to see her go. Michael Jackson was a great artist, enough said.

I went to see a friend today that I discuss my health issues with and I took my Mom with me. Well she wanted my Mom to come in and talk at the end of the session. Well, my Mom thought all of the questions and comments were about her and her issues. Needless to say anyone who knows my Mom knows she is in denial about her issues and she became very defensive to say the least. I know her and my Dad love me in their own way and they were only teens when they had me so I try to make allowances for what I missed in my childhood.

On a lighter note, Jackie and I are going to see Bob Harper from the Biggest Loser tomorrow down at the Showboat Casino in Atlantic City. I hope the weather is nice so we can enjoy the boardwalk!

Jackie just walked in the door to spend the weekend here with us and my Dad is picking us up for an early dinner out at 4:30 so I am going to run.

Thursday, June 25, 2009

Well its Thursday thank God for another day. It looks like we are going to finally get a day without rain! It is supposed to be 90 degrees tomorrow what a change in temperature.

Mom and I went to the post office, bank and grocery store and boy was I tired when I got home. I had turkey and cheese for lunch which isn't on my vegetarian diet. I also went out with a friend last night to see a band play over at Joe Pop's on LBI and had a lite beer, NG.

I finally made the appointment for my follow-up MRI. It will be done on Monday July 20th in the morning. I have been putting off making the appointment because I am afraid of what I will hear. John will be driving me up to Jefferson University Hospital in Philadelphia since he has a followup appointment for the hernia surgery he had done at the end of February. Oh how I wish that is all mine was for.

I had a strange pain on my back, mid to lower left side. I am not sure if there is a bump there of not. Also, have been sweating more than usual is this cancer or just warmer weather? Since the MRI in January it seems like I am waiting for something to pop up and seal the deal. It is morbid I know but with 8 spots on the spine and 1 on liver I feel like a ticking time bomb.

Keep praying!

Wednesday, June 24, 2009

I had a good day yesterday picking blueberries in my grandmothers backyard. I also went into the garden and picked some fresh lettuce for dinner. Yum!

Today I am up and feeling good. I talked to my Aunt Madeline, my sister who is going to Turks and Caicos tomorrow and my Mom. Jackie called at lunch time as she was taking a walk and getting some sun over in Philly.

Tonight I am planning on going to Joe Pops for Girls Night Out! It should be a good time the Nerds are playing. I was a good girl and did my exercise so i am going to enjoy myself tonight.

Tuesday, June 23, 2009

Another day that I wake up and thank God that I feel good. I wish the sun would come out for a little while to perk everyone up.

I had three moles taken off about a month ago and no call from the doctor but received a bill from the lab. ha ha One mole was definitely displastic, per me, Jefferson oncologist, and dermatologist, and they said it was a normal mole along with the one they took from my thigh. A mole I had on the back of my leg was as black as coal and they said it was a sun spot. I have to talk to the doctor that lab or the tech is crazy!

Oh yeah, I had to call the insurance company because they didn't want to pay the lab. They said they were out of network. I had to call HR and they talked to them and guess what they are in network and will be paid by insurance. That phone call saved me $279.50, so if you have a question about a bill take a few minutes and call. I wonder how many people just pay the bill?

Monday, June 22, 2009

The News

In June of 2008 the doctor found what they thought was a bone island on my spine, T1 vertebrae. They wanted it re-imaged in January to confirm it hadn't changed. On January 20th I went to have the whole Thoracic spine imaged just to confirm the bone island was stable. My life changed a week later when they called and told me that I have 8, yes 8, lesions on my spine from the T3-T12 vertebral bodies. Oh btw, the bone island is stable. That is good news...WHAT!

So since that day they have done more tests some came out good some not so good...spot on the liver in April,NG. All spots in liver and on spine location not conducive to biopsy and very small.

Still no diagnosis will go for follow-up MRI at the end of July. I have been tense and worried everyday for the past year and if the disease doesn't kill me the stress will.