I had a pulmonary function test (PFT), echocardiogram, bone marrow biopsy and tons of blood drawn yesterday. I know I did well on the PFT. I use about 98% of my lung capacity and the other parts of the test seemed to have good results too. I won’t have any results of the bone marrow for some days. I’m not sure what all tests will be run on the marrow sample. I’m going to say that this one wasn’t the worst one I’ve had. That was at Duke. It did hurt, and still does. They didn’t use the type of needle I like. My ECG showed some heart abnormalities, so I’m going to see my cardiologist here to find out what he thinks of the report. If you happen to know what apical-septum and apical-inferior hypokinesis are, let me know. And if you know that, maybe you can tell me what these remarks mean too: left atrium size moderately dilated and left ventricle size mildly dilated. I also have a trace of tricuspid regurgitation. I’ll post my findings after I see the doctor. I would imagine they’re still going to let me have the chemo. That’s a week from now. I asked if I was going to lose my hair and the nurse told me yes. I kind of thought that would happen, but wasn’t sure.
Category: Life
Life
I was outside today sweeping the pool deck and I saw a lizard running towards me. My immediate response was to start jumping up and down and screaming. Somehow, the timing was just wrong, and the poor little lizard ran under my shoe while I was in the downward phase of hopping. I managed to kill the poor thing and creep myself out in a big way. I had to call a friend to come over and clean the lizard off the cement and the bottom of my shoe, which I had to abandon out there. It’ll be one of those things that sticks in my mind for days now. :(
Why not donate to the International Myeloma Foundation? It’s fast, easy and tax deductible. Plus, you’ll be helping thousands of Americans and others from around the world. CLICK HERE.
I had an infusion of Zometa today and, as always, my left hand and arm ache. I didn’t get to have the IV in my hand like I usually do. The nurse said there’s just too much scarring now and she couldn’t get it threaded. We used my left arm instead. I’ll give that good vein in my left hand a long rest. It’s no wonder. I must have been poked in that hand at least 50 times.
If you get the chance, see the film A Lion in the House, which may be on your local PBS station on Independent Lens.
I took mom to see Dr. P. today. I was glad we went. It’s crazy. She hasn’t spoken to an oncologist at all since this started. Your doc sends you straight to a surgeon, who sends you for radiation if you need it. Wouldn’t you think it would make sense to talk to someone who knows cancer really well?
How do you like the new theme?
Mom had surgery last week. A lumpectomy, which was intended to remedy DCIS and prepare her for radiation. However, on Monday, the surgeon’s nurse called and let her know that there was more cancer in the margins and that a mastectomy was in order. I don’t disagree with that. It seems the safest thing to do for the long term. But I want my mom to get a second opinion about what should be happening in the future. I think mom needs to be cared for in the long run by a specialist. I found someone at UNC, and the doctor there even called mom at home to see if she had any questions! Mom is shutting us down every time we bring this up. :(
In my own experience with cancer (albeit a different kind), I’ve learned that your health is in your own hands. You get out of healthcare what you put into it. Nothing more, unless you’re EXTREMELY lucky. I’ve seen so many examples of people putting their trust in doctors and nurses and then having nothing but heartbreak when the staff doesn’t care as much as one would think they should. Everyone needs to be active in every aspect of his or her own healthcare. This applies whether you have a disease or are healthy.
Anyway, please send some good enegry out to my mom so she can get through this. Help her to see how it could really help her to go to a specialist!
http://www.jupiterscientific.org/sciinfo/perseid.html
Make it a point to see this if at all possible!
Dear SavetheInternet.com Member,SavetheInternet.com coalition supporters took to the pavement last week in 25 cities nationwide, delivering our petitions < http://action.freepress.net/campaign/savethenet> to their senators and urging them to oppose the phone and cable company attempt to gut Net Neutrality.From Buffalo to Fayetteville, Orlando to Seattle, the broad outpouring of public support for Net Neutrality came as the Senate’s August recess ended, and elected representatives return to Washington and the business of making laws. On Wednesday and Thursday, SavetheInternet.com supporters spoke back to the big phone and cable companies. Their message to Senators: “Don’t sell out the Internet. Serve the public interest. Support real Net Neutrality.”In each location, citizens urged their senators to place the needs of the public and our democracy ahead of the interest of phone and cable lobbyists.
Petition delivery events were held at senators’ offices in New York and Buffalo (NY); Fayetteville (AR); Des Moines; Detroit; Denver; Boston; Newark(NJ); Providence(RI); Baltimore; Portland (ME); Seattle and Spokane (WA); Eau Claire, Milwaukee and Madison (WI); Montpelier (VT); Wilmington (DE); Orlando (FL); Honolulu; Louisville (KY); Columbus (OH); Charleston (WV); Minneapolis; and, earlier this month, in Albuquerque and Santa Fe (NM).
You can follow ongoing developments at the SavetheInternet.com blog < http://www.savetheinternet.com/blog> .As senators return to the Beltway this week, their constituents have put the issue sharply into focus. We need to continue exerting pressure through September and beyond to ensure meaningful Net Neutrality protections in Congress.Thanks to you, there is now a growing sense of inevitability that Net Neutrality is something that politicians must protect under law.
Onward,
Timothy Karr
Campaign Director
FreePress.Net
SavetheInternet.com