inconclusive |ˌinkənˈklo͞osiv, ˌiNG-| adjective;not leading to a firm conclusion; not ending doubt or dispute: the medical evidence is inconclusive.synonyms: indecisive, proving nothing; indefinite, proving nothing, indeterminate, unresolved, unproved, unsettled, still open to question/doubt, debatable, unconfirmed; moot; vague, ambiguous; informal: up in the air, left hanging.
That definition came directly from the dictionary on my laptop. And basically sums up my day.
I am going to warn you this post might be short and generic. I'm exhausted. My mom and I just got home about 20 minutes ago and I can't wait to crawl into my bed.
But here is the update:
The CAT scan showed uptake in the thymus region again. There were also a couple spots on my lungs. The doctor informed me that if all of us had a scan, we would probably have a spot show up on our lungs just due to the air we breathe, having a fungus travel around in it. So we are not sure what the spots are caused by. Both areas did not have any tumor markers show up. That is a good sign. Basically the results mean one of two things: 1. The areas are taking up the radiation randomly and nothing is wrong, or 2. The cancer has spread to one or both areas and the tumor markers are not showing up because the radiation is already attacking the cancer, masking the markers from appearing on the scan. My doctor said she really wished she could have reported that everything was negative and I was good to go. But that was not the case. To determine for sure what is going on, we have to wait for my lab results to come back next Wednesday. If my thyroglobulin is elevated, then it's a very reliable sign that the cancer is present elsewhere and another, more specific, scan will be ordered to take an even closer look. If the results are normal, then the next step is to wait until my appointment in July for an ultrasound and repeat of my labs to determine if the cancer has stayed away/suppressed. That will be the 6 month mark, which is the big milestone for the type of cancer I have.
So as you can see, inconclusive results have struck again. From Day 1 that has been the trend. My original ultrasound was vague, so I needed a biopsy. Those results were "iffy" and I was told I could wait a year for a re-check or be aggressive. Obviously I took the aggressive route and am grateful everyday for that decision. Before surgery they were very certain I did not have cancer. Clearly that quickly changed. Then it appeared my margins were free. Nope. It had started to break through the gland so radiation was ordered. And now here we are. While today's news was not bad, it really was not anything I didn't already know. So, I am waiting. I have no fear either way of the results to come on Wednesday. I just want a definitive answer. Something black and white.
If there was anything I took from today it was that I am blessed. When I check into multiple cancer center areas at hospitals, I am surrounded by people fighting a battle tougher than my own. We caught this early. There is a very successful treatment option available. And I am going to live. So while there are many things I am frustrated and upset about, if I sit back and look at the broad scope of what is going on, it gives me strength. This is a small part of my life. I am anxious for the day I can look back and celebrate that I came out on top.
After everything was over, my mom and I were able to spend time with my little cousins. We played outside in the beautiful weather, spent time on the swing-set (which is one of my all-time favorite things to do), and went to dinner. They are so precious and never cease to put a smile on my face. Each one already has plans to take a trip out to California to spend time with "my favorite cousin, KK!" It was the perfect way to end a monotonous day.
Have a wonderful weekend and be sure to enjoy the gorgeous weather!
xoxo
Friday, March 30, 2012
Thursday, March 29, 2012
California Dreamin'
Hello!
No worries, I am still alive ;) and all is well. I realize it has been forever since I last posted. It's partly because so much of my time has been consumed with catching up at school and getting things done that I wasn't able to do during treatment. But also because I was kind of intentionally waiting until this week to post again in anticipation for Friday. Tomorrow March 30th, marks my big appointment day. I start with a CAT Scan, then have blood work, meet with the oncologist/endocrinologist, see the nuclear med team, and wrap up the day with my surgeon. Once again, thank the Lord for health insurance. The CAT Scan will determine if the cancer has actually spread to my thymus gland between my lungs or if it appeared on the last scan as a fluke. If it has, my guess is the plan would be to have surgery and then another round of radiation. Time will soon tell, and either way I am not worried in the least bit. The only thing I'm a little concerned about is my claustrophobia during the scan. I'll just have to come up with some great thoughts to keep my mind racing and my eyes closed. It worked last time!
Many people have asked how I have been feeling. I wish I could say that I'm back to normal. However that is not the case. There are still good and bad days. My stamina is pitiful. Numerous times simply going up a flight of stairs causes me to get out of breath and I have to sit down. I've been to a couple fitness classes and each time it's a reminder of how weak my muscles have gotten and that I am essentially starting from scratch with getting into shape. I was thinking yesterday as I was on the cardio machine that just 5 months ago I ran 13.1 miles in the hills of San Francisco--and I was sick but didn't know it. It serves as good motivation, but also bums me out because I would love to be able to run more than a single, measly mile at that pace today.
Another thing I have been battling is a problem with gluten. This is something I have known for a while but it seems to have gotten worse lately. When you have one autoimmune disease (Hashimoto's Thyroidits in my case) you are very susceptible to another one. There are hundreds of possibilities, but Celiac's Disease is a common one. Celiac's means you have an intolerance to the gluten found in all wheat products, and eating it destroys the epithelial cells of your intestine. To determine if I have it for sure, they would have to do a small bowel biopsy because of course, my blood work came back inconclusive. So for now I have been on a gluten free diet for almost two weeks and have noticed a significant difference in symptoms. I have also had a few low blood sugar "attacks" lately. All of the symptoms of hypoglycemia present themselves (rapid heart rate, clammy palms, light headed, confusion, shakiness, etc.) and I can cure it by eating a few pieces of candy. Some days I notice a ketoacidosis taste in my mouth as well. This is another sign, along with the hypoglycemia, that it could be type 1 diabetes--another autoimmune disease. I haven't told the doctor about this yet, but I'm going to fast Friday morning so when I do tell them that they can run an A1C and glucose test to rule that out. I'm praying that those symptoms are because my medication needs to be adjusted to a higher dosage, and that it is not diabetes.
But enough of that stuff...on to something exciting.
I am officially moving to California!!!!
I have always said my back-up plan for a gap year before medical school would be to spend quite a few months in Africa or move to Wine Country and live with my best friend. As much as I would absolutely love to go to Africa, the timing just isn't right. This fall I will need reliable internet access to fill out secondary applications and the easy ability to fly back and forth for interviews. Both are unfortunately not possible in Kenya. So the plan is to move back home after graduation for the summer, continue the job I love working for two ophthalmologists, watch my brother dominate on the diamond, take the wonderful MCAT in July, and spend free time with family and loved ones. Then in early August I will pack up and head west on I-80.
Finding a job was the first thing I knew I needed to line up. Already, I have wonderful leads with two groups of ophthalmologists in the North Bay area. They are both anxious to meet me and want to make something work! The knowledge I will acquire from all of the doctors will be priceless. And to remind you all how small of a world we live in, the first office I called, the manager informed me that she is from Wayne. Crazy, right? It gets better. The second office told me they love hiring students waiting a year to go to nursing or medical school and that one of the surgeons was an All-American gymnast here at the University and then spent some time in the Olympics. Unbelievable. Clearly this is all part of God's plan. It's not just by chance that you randomly look up ophthalmologists, call their office inquiring about working for them (they had no job postings), send your requested resume, find out you are all connected in some way, and then end the conversation being told there's a great chance they will have a job for you! When all of that happened, I was left speechless.
Now I should say that not a day goes by that I don't think about starting medical school this fall. It still hurts. But in the mess of everything that is going on, I feel like I finally have a sense of clarity in one area of my life. When my friend and I went on a hike out in California a few weeks ago, we were standing there overlooking the ocean. I remember thinking to myself that I needed to see that for more than just a few days. The moment was perfect. It was then I decided a move might be exactly what I need.
The way I see it, God has given me one year to do whatever I desire. Time to get healthy, release some stress, and figure out what "normal" feels like (if that's possible). Having the option to go to the beach, spend a day in the city, wake up surrounded by vineyards, take a trip to Tahoe, explore the gold coast, make memories with my best friend, attend MLB games, cheer on my Broncos from Oakland (as long as I don't get beat up by those psycho fans), and the chance to experience an entirely different part of this country, will be remarkable. Before cancer, taking a year off before starting medical school was a thought I couldn't stand. But things have drastically changed. I have worked tirelessly for the past 5 years to make my dream of becoming a physician a reality. That was crumbled with a simple letter in the mail and only 2 more points on a standardized test. And since high school I have maintained a healthy lifestyle through good nutrition and exercise. Yet even so, at the age of 22 I was diagnosed with cancer. Now please note that in no way do I want sympathy or pity. This is all a beautiful blessing in disguise. Instead of being 31 when I finish medical school and residency, I will now be 32, and filled with memories from a year of new adventures. I have been given a chance to just be Keri, and to live life to the fullest. And to be honest, I am one happy girl.
As I have always said, everything happens for a reason. And the saying, "If you want to hear God laugh, tell Him your plans," could not be more fitting for my life. It seems as though my adventure has only just begun. And who knows, maybe I'm supposed to go to medical school out in California. By moving there, the opportunity for acceptance into those schools greatly increases. Again, only time will tell where I end up.
I promise I will update you on how my day of appointments goes tomorrow. No matter what the doctors report, everything will work out. My mom is coming to town after she gets off work today to attend Gamma Phi Beta's annual philanthropy, French Toast Feed, tonight. It has never worked for any of my family to attend, so what better time than my senior year. Then her and I will head off to my aunt's house for the night before our early start tomorrow.
I hope you all are having a wonderful day!
"Life is for the living. It's for grabbing onto and living on the wild side. Life is not about sitting safely in the harbor, but about casting off the bowlines and heading into the unknown. Live life to the fullest today."
No worries, I am still alive ;) and all is well. I realize it has been forever since I last posted. It's partly because so much of my time has been consumed with catching up at school and getting things done that I wasn't able to do during treatment. But also because I was kind of intentionally waiting until this week to post again in anticipation for Friday. Tomorrow March 30th, marks my big appointment day. I start with a CAT Scan, then have blood work, meet with the oncologist/endocrinologist, see the nuclear med team, and wrap up the day with my surgeon. Once again, thank the Lord for health insurance. The CAT Scan will determine if the cancer has actually spread to my thymus gland between my lungs or if it appeared on the last scan as a fluke. If it has, my guess is the plan would be to have surgery and then another round of radiation. Time will soon tell, and either way I am not worried in the least bit. The only thing I'm a little concerned about is my claustrophobia during the scan. I'll just have to come up with some great thoughts to keep my mind racing and my eyes closed. It worked last time!
Many people have asked how I have been feeling. I wish I could say that I'm back to normal. However that is not the case. There are still good and bad days. My stamina is pitiful. Numerous times simply going up a flight of stairs causes me to get out of breath and I have to sit down. I've been to a couple fitness classes and each time it's a reminder of how weak my muscles have gotten and that I am essentially starting from scratch with getting into shape. I was thinking yesterday as I was on the cardio machine that just 5 months ago I ran 13.1 miles in the hills of San Francisco--and I was sick but didn't know it. It serves as good motivation, but also bums me out because I would love to be able to run more than a single, measly mile at that pace today.
Another thing I have been battling is a problem with gluten. This is something I have known for a while but it seems to have gotten worse lately. When you have one autoimmune disease (Hashimoto's Thyroidits in my case) you are very susceptible to another one. There are hundreds of possibilities, but Celiac's Disease is a common one. Celiac's means you have an intolerance to the gluten found in all wheat products, and eating it destroys the epithelial cells of your intestine. To determine if I have it for sure, they would have to do a small bowel biopsy because of course, my blood work came back inconclusive. So for now I have been on a gluten free diet for almost two weeks and have noticed a significant difference in symptoms. I have also had a few low blood sugar "attacks" lately. All of the symptoms of hypoglycemia present themselves (rapid heart rate, clammy palms, light headed, confusion, shakiness, etc.) and I can cure it by eating a few pieces of candy. Some days I notice a ketoacidosis taste in my mouth as well. This is another sign, along with the hypoglycemia, that it could be type 1 diabetes--another autoimmune disease. I haven't told the doctor about this yet, but I'm going to fast Friday morning so when I do tell them that they can run an A1C and glucose test to rule that out. I'm praying that those symptoms are because my medication needs to be adjusted to a higher dosage, and that it is not diabetes.
But enough of that stuff...on to something exciting.
I am officially moving to California!!!!
I have always said my back-up plan for a gap year before medical school would be to spend quite a few months in Africa or move to Wine Country and live with my best friend. As much as I would absolutely love to go to Africa, the timing just isn't right. This fall I will need reliable internet access to fill out secondary applications and the easy ability to fly back and forth for interviews. Both are unfortunately not possible in Kenya. So the plan is to move back home after graduation for the summer, continue the job I love working for two ophthalmologists, watch my brother dominate on the diamond, take the wonderful MCAT in July, and spend free time with family and loved ones. Then in early August I will pack up and head west on I-80.
Finding a job was the first thing I knew I needed to line up. Already, I have wonderful leads with two groups of ophthalmologists in the North Bay area. They are both anxious to meet me and want to make something work! The knowledge I will acquire from all of the doctors will be priceless. And to remind you all how small of a world we live in, the first office I called, the manager informed me that she is from Wayne. Crazy, right? It gets better. The second office told me they love hiring students waiting a year to go to nursing or medical school and that one of the surgeons was an All-American gymnast here at the University and then spent some time in the Olympics. Unbelievable. Clearly this is all part of God's plan. It's not just by chance that you randomly look up ophthalmologists, call their office inquiring about working for them (they had no job postings), send your requested resume, find out you are all connected in some way, and then end the conversation being told there's a great chance they will have a job for you! When all of that happened, I was left speechless.
Now I should say that not a day goes by that I don't think about starting medical school this fall. It still hurts. But in the mess of everything that is going on, I feel like I finally have a sense of clarity in one area of my life. When my friend and I went on a hike out in California a few weeks ago, we were standing there overlooking the ocean. I remember thinking to myself that I needed to see that for more than just a few days. The moment was perfect. It was then I decided a move might be exactly what I need.
The way I see it, God has given me one year to do whatever I desire. Time to get healthy, release some stress, and figure out what "normal" feels like (if that's possible). Having the option to go to the beach, spend a day in the city, wake up surrounded by vineyards, take a trip to Tahoe, explore the gold coast, make memories with my best friend, attend MLB games, cheer on my Broncos from Oakland (as long as I don't get beat up by those psycho fans), and the chance to experience an entirely different part of this country, will be remarkable. Before cancer, taking a year off before starting medical school was a thought I couldn't stand. But things have drastically changed. I have worked tirelessly for the past 5 years to make my dream of becoming a physician a reality. That was crumbled with a simple letter in the mail and only 2 more points on a standardized test. And since high school I have maintained a healthy lifestyle through good nutrition and exercise. Yet even so, at the age of 22 I was diagnosed with cancer. Now please note that in no way do I want sympathy or pity. This is all a beautiful blessing in disguise. Instead of being 31 when I finish medical school and residency, I will now be 32, and filled with memories from a year of new adventures. I have been given a chance to just be Keri, and to live life to the fullest. And to be honest, I am one happy girl.
As I have always said, everything happens for a reason. And the saying, "If you want to hear God laugh, tell Him your plans," could not be more fitting for my life. It seems as though my adventure has only just begun. And who knows, maybe I'm supposed to go to medical school out in California. By moving there, the opportunity for acceptance into those schools greatly increases. Again, only time will tell where I end up.
I promise I will update you on how my day of appointments goes tomorrow. No matter what the doctors report, everything will work out. My mom is coming to town after she gets off work today to attend Gamma Phi Beta's annual philanthropy, French Toast Feed, tonight. It has never worked for any of my family to attend, so what better time than my senior year. Then her and I will head off to my aunt's house for the night before our early start tomorrow.
I hope you all are having a wonderful day!
"Life is for the living. It's for grabbing onto and living on the wild side. Life is not about sitting safely in the harbor, but about casting off the bowlines and heading into the unknown. Live life to the fullest today."
Thursday, March 1, 2012
Windy City Woes
Note: This post was written yesterday late afternoon, but is just getting uploaded now because 1. Midway didn’t have free wifi (really? It’s 2012) and 2. As I was using my phone to post it, it fell and was instantly destroyed. The screen went streaky and white, no sounds, no actions, nothing. I tried everything imaginable and nothing worked.
This all happened right before I was supposed to board. Wonderful timing. A boy had just sat down next to me and he seemed friendly, so I asked politely if I could use his phone to call my mom. He was more than willing to help this random stranger out, and so I called my mom who called my friend for me and updated her on the situation. I then called my friend from this man’s phone just to touch base on plans when I landed.
To make a long story short, this boy and I ended up having a great conversation in the waiting area (totally missed our boarding call and had to laugh when they called our names over the loud speaker even though we were sitting right there) and decided to sit next to each other on the 5 hour flight to California. By the time we arrived, we had covered all bases and gotten to know each other pretty well. Turns out he is from Boston, out visiting his brother, and also graduates in May. So as much as I hate not having a phone, and the messy situation it has left me with, in a way it was definitely meant to be. If it had not happened, I wouldn’t have met a new friend from the East coast.
So with that all being said, here is what I meant to post yesterday:
I am sitting here at Midway in Chicago, people watching (which I enjoy doing), until I catch my connecting flight to California, where I am going to enjoy much needed time with my other half. For both her and I, it could not have come at a better time. Side note: I’m sure many of you are questioning my decision to miss a couple days of class and travel halfway across the country when I just got back to campus. Trust me, I’ve heard it all from people the past couple of days. But, it doesn’t bother me one bit. My time at home after treatment was far from a “vacation” as some people are comparing it to, and I have worked like crazy the past week and a half to catch up and make this work. So I’m not afraid to put it simply: It is the best decision I could have made. I can’t think of a better medicine.
Anyway, this post is going to be a lot like the people I’m currently watching—a little bit of everything.
I should start by updating you on how I have been feeling lately. The symptoms are very sporadic. Some moments I feel totally back to normal, and then others I hit rock bottom again. Saturday and Sunday were both pretty bad. I had no strength and almost fainted during mass. Monday was a new day and a new me. I regained some strength. (Probably because I spent all weekend in trying to catch up and sleeping.) I had a big microbiology exam this morning, so any time I had up until 10:30am today was spent teaching myself almost 5 chapters of material. The last exam was on the day I started treatment, and even though I just got back, we already have another one. So needless to say I was beyond confused, lost, and overwhelmed. I think the past two nights closing down the library and getting hardly any sleep (and the desperate help from 5 Hour Energy) paid off. I feel confident about how I did and more than anything am glad it’s over! Oh and I almost forgot. The worst part about the entire exam was that the last two chapters of material were about virus replication and the changes that take place for them to turn into cancer. It talked about how very little is known about how to stop the replication and also went into the science about the damaging effects of radiation on our bodies. It hit me in a strange way. I definitely was feeling mixed emotions but knew I just needed to hammer through it!
I have had a couple weird things happen lately that remind me I am forever changed from the radioactivity I experienced. For one, as I walk under streetlights at night, they instantly go out. This has happened on three different occasions now. Also, yesterday I was getting my hair done and my stylist is the cutest pregnant lady. I was so excited to see her baby bump. The instant I arrived, I put my hand on her tummy and the baby immediately gave a good kick! I jumped back a little surprised and put my hand back on. The baby did it again! That feeling is so amazing and miraculous. Awhile later, my stylist asked me, “Keri are you sure you can be around pregnant people now and that you aren’t radioactive?” I reassured her I had passed the 3-week mark and was cleared. She started laughing and replied, “Well I had to ask because ever since you touched me, this baby has not stopped going crazy and it has been calm all day!” Oh the things I get blamed for…
We were sent the bill from just the pharmacy yesterday. The single dose of radiation I swallowed on the last day of treatment was $5,520. That doesn’t include tests, scans, hospital and doctors fees, etc. I cannot get over the fact that I SWALLOWED that much money. Seriously unbelievable. Thank the Lord for health insurance. You would think I would be sweating and emitting $100 bills left and right, my own personal money tree. If only that were true!
My taste buds are still not back in action quite yet. I tried a sip of wine the other day just to remind myself how much I am looking forward to my time in California. It was the most disgusting thing to hit my tongue in awhile. I had my friend try it just to make sure it was me and not the wine. She said it was delicious. I am so bummed. Wine is my absolute favorite. My fingers are crossed that they come back soon because this is starting to get old!
Today at the airport I had to be sure and have my special card from Nuclear Medicine ready for security. Because of the radiation the doctors told me that for the next year I have to carry this card with me whenever I travel, as there is a good chance I will be mistaken for a bomb. I honestly think it’s pretty cool. Haha. Things went well today. Of course I was taken to the side to be scanned by a machine and examined further, but they didn’t find a nuclear bomb. Phew!
To end though, I should share that my heart hurts so badly for my little brother. He had to be checked into the hospital today because of a severe case of mono. It started out as strep a couple days ago and has progressively gotten worse. The latest update is that they have been pumping him with fluids and is looking better. Not to worry, he will be just fine. But the absolute worst part about the whole thing is that he was supposed to take off for Winter Park tomorrow with a couple friends to hit the slopes. He is a die-hard snowboarder and has been planning this entire trip for quite some time. This is his only free weekend to go, as the rest are consumed with golf tournaments. I wish more than anything I could trade places with him. I would do it in a heartbeat. Yes, it means I would have to miss this trip to California, but at least he would get to go to Colorado. My trip could be postponed, but his cannot. Chopper like I told you earlier, I am so so sorry! I can’t imagine how mad, bummed, and sad you are. Love you and get better soon!
It’s almost time for me to board! Next stop, the arms of my best friend for the biggest hug ever!
This all happened right before I was supposed to board. Wonderful timing. A boy had just sat down next to me and he seemed friendly, so I asked politely if I could use his phone to call my mom. He was more than willing to help this random stranger out, and so I called my mom who called my friend for me and updated her on the situation. I then called my friend from this man’s phone just to touch base on plans when I landed.
To make a long story short, this boy and I ended up having a great conversation in the waiting area (totally missed our boarding call and had to laugh when they called our names over the loud speaker even though we were sitting right there) and decided to sit next to each other on the 5 hour flight to California. By the time we arrived, we had covered all bases and gotten to know each other pretty well. Turns out he is from Boston, out visiting his brother, and also graduates in May. So as much as I hate not having a phone, and the messy situation it has left me with, in a way it was definitely meant to be. If it had not happened, I wouldn’t have met a new friend from the East coast.
So with that all being said, here is what I meant to post yesterday:
I am sitting here at Midway in Chicago, people watching (which I enjoy doing), until I catch my connecting flight to California, where I am going to enjoy much needed time with my other half. For both her and I, it could not have come at a better time. Side note: I’m sure many of you are questioning my decision to miss a couple days of class and travel halfway across the country when I just got back to campus. Trust me, I’ve heard it all from people the past couple of days. But, it doesn’t bother me one bit. My time at home after treatment was far from a “vacation” as some people are comparing it to, and I have worked like crazy the past week and a half to catch up and make this work. So I’m not afraid to put it simply: It is the best decision I could have made. I can’t think of a better medicine.
Anyway, this post is going to be a lot like the people I’m currently watching—a little bit of everything.
I should start by updating you on how I have been feeling lately. The symptoms are very sporadic. Some moments I feel totally back to normal, and then others I hit rock bottom again. Saturday and Sunday were both pretty bad. I had no strength and almost fainted during mass. Monday was a new day and a new me. I regained some strength. (Probably because I spent all weekend in trying to catch up and sleeping.) I had a big microbiology exam this morning, so any time I had up until 10:30am today was spent teaching myself almost 5 chapters of material. The last exam was on the day I started treatment, and even though I just got back, we already have another one. So needless to say I was beyond confused, lost, and overwhelmed. I think the past two nights closing down the library and getting hardly any sleep (and the desperate help from 5 Hour Energy) paid off. I feel confident about how I did and more than anything am glad it’s over! Oh and I almost forgot. The worst part about the entire exam was that the last two chapters of material were about virus replication and the changes that take place for them to turn into cancer. It talked about how very little is known about how to stop the replication and also went into the science about the damaging effects of radiation on our bodies. It hit me in a strange way. I definitely was feeling mixed emotions but knew I just needed to hammer through it!
I have had a couple weird things happen lately that remind me I am forever changed from the radioactivity I experienced. For one, as I walk under streetlights at night, they instantly go out. This has happened on three different occasions now. Also, yesterday I was getting my hair done and my stylist is the cutest pregnant lady. I was so excited to see her baby bump. The instant I arrived, I put my hand on her tummy and the baby immediately gave a good kick! I jumped back a little surprised and put my hand back on. The baby did it again! That feeling is so amazing and miraculous. Awhile later, my stylist asked me, “Keri are you sure you can be around pregnant people now and that you aren’t radioactive?” I reassured her I had passed the 3-week mark and was cleared. She started laughing and replied, “Well I had to ask because ever since you touched me, this baby has not stopped going crazy and it has been calm all day!” Oh the things I get blamed for…
We were sent the bill from just the pharmacy yesterday. The single dose of radiation I swallowed on the last day of treatment was $5,520. That doesn’t include tests, scans, hospital and doctors fees, etc. I cannot get over the fact that I SWALLOWED that much money. Seriously unbelievable. Thank the Lord for health insurance. You would think I would be sweating and emitting $100 bills left and right, my own personal money tree. If only that were true!
My taste buds are still not back in action quite yet. I tried a sip of wine the other day just to remind myself how much I am looking forward to my time in California. It was the most disgusting thing to hit my tongue in awhile. I had my friend try it just to make sure it was me and not the wine. She said it was delicious. I am so bummed. Wine is my absolute favorite. My fingers are crossed that they come back soon because this is starting to get old!
Today at the airport I had to be sure and have my special card from Nuclear Medicine ready for security. Because of the radiation the doctors told me that for the next year I have to carry this card with me whenever I travel, as there is a good chance I will be mistaken for a bomb. I honestly think it’s pretty cool. Haha. Things went well today. Of course I was taken to the side to be scanned by a machine and examined further, but they didn’t find a nuclear bomb. Phew!
To end though, I should share that my heart hurts so badly for my little brother. He had to be checked into the hospital today because of a severe case of mono. It started out as strep a couple days ago and has progressively gotten worse. The latest update is that they have been pumping him with fluids and is looking better. Not to worry, he will be just fine. But the absolute worst part about the whole thing is that he was supposed to take off for Winter Park tomorrow with a couple friends to hit the slopes. He is a die-hard snowboarder and has been planning this entire trip for quite some time. This is his only free weekend to go, as the rest are consumed with golf tournaments. I wish more than anything I could trade places with him. I would do it in a heartbeat. Yes, it means I would have to miss this trip to California, but at least he would get to go to Colorado. My trip could be postponed, but his cannot. Chopper like I told you earlier, I am so so sorry! I can’t imagine how mad, bummed, and sad you are. Love you and get better soon!
It’s almost time for me to board! Next stop, the arms of my best friend for the biggest hug ever!
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