CT Results

The results are in...NEED MORE TESTING!!

I really hate to hear that but it is what it is. The CT Scan showed that I have enlarged lymphnodes. It aslo showed a collapsed blood vessel in my right armpit area. My doctor says I could be one of those people that just have larger lymphnodes but she wants to be certain so she has ordered a PET Scan. She is forwarding the CT Scan to a vascular doctor to look at the collapsed blood vessel. She doesn't seem to concerned but we would rather be safe than sorry. The PET Scan does such a better job picking up Lymphoma than a CT Scan does, so I'm all for it.

To be honest, I feel okay about this. At first to hear that more testing had to be done had me a little discouraged but I'm trying to be more positive. I'm a bigger girl, so why not have bigger lymphnodes. Hey, I have to be positive or I would drive myself absolutely crazy. Especially with the girls not home, I have way to much time to think about it.

My parents and the girls went to Seattle this weekend for one of my lifelong friends wedding. I wish I could have been there. I will share pictures once my mom sends them to me. Congratulations, Krissy and Jim!!!

XOXO

The Girls in Idaho - Week 1

Well, the girls have been gone for a little over a week now. They drove up with Josh's Nana to Idaho last week. On Friday, my mom and dad picked them up and will have them for about 3 weeks and then they will drive back down with Nana. My mom sent me some pictures from their first week away.

I can't believe how quiet is has been around here. I think I'm going crazy. I don't know what to do with myself. I have been taking a lot of time to look for a new job. I think I've applied at probably 20 different places. I would really like to get in the health care industry. I've applied for about 15 different positions at Kaiser Permanente. So I'm hoping that with 35 applications out there, I will find something soon.

I've decided that I am going to take Medical Terminology in August and the local adult school. They offer Medical Terminology 1 & 2 and also a Medical Billing and Coding class. I figured if I can get in the door at Kaiser the possibilities are endless.

Last week, I went in for my follow up appointment with my Oncologist. It was overall a very good appointment. Back when I was getting my chest port put in, the surgeon noticed that my blood veins on the right side of my chest, shoulder and arm area were protruding more than he thought they should. At that time, we figured it was because my tumor was on that side. Well it's been a little over 6 months since the tumor has been gone, but the blood veins are still as visible. So She decided that she didn't want to wait until October for a CT scan. So this last Tuesday, I got a CT Scan done. I still don't have the results but as soon as I do, I will let everyone know.

Well, I'm gonna go for now. I hope everyone is doing well.

xoxo

RELAY FOR LIFE 2008

Wow, what a weekend! This had to be one of the most emotional times in my life.

Josh and I just barely made it in time for the opening ceremony...the Survivor Walk. With the weather being in the 90's by 9:00am, I was told that the outcome was a bit less than last year. Josh and I hung out until about 10:30am because he had to get ready for work. When we left the track it was 97 degrees. There was no way I would have made it in the heat all day.

I went back around 7pm so I could see the Luminera Ceremony. Wow, it was so beautiful!! To start of the Luminera Ceremony, all of us survivors got a candle and were asked to do one lap around the track. I have to say I cried all the way around. Even though I was surrounded by so many other survivors, I felt so alone. This is something I don't think I can do by myself again. Josh was at work and the girls were in Idaho with my parents. As soon as I left, I called my mom and cried even more.

In the slide show above you'll see the Luminera's that were donated by my friends and family.

In Memory Of : Agnes Runions (my great grandmother), Becky Best (my grandmother), and Char Best-Kurecki (my aunt)

In Honory Of: Joannie McCann (Lifelong family friend), Mary "Jane" Steele (me), and
My Fellow Cancer Bloggers (to name a few; Kelly, Sandy, Duane, Bekah, Kelsi, Sandi, Jon, Brandi, and so many, many more) I thank you all so very much for all your wonderful blogs; they helped me so much every day. I love you guys!!!

I will continue to do Relay For Life every year and I urge you all to do the same. It is such a wonderful event to raise money for a CURE!!!

xoxo

The Washcloth

For the Ladies...... There is not a woman alive today who won't crack up over this!

I was due for an appointment with the gynecologist later in the week. Early one morning, I received a call from the doctor's office to tell me that I have been rescheduled for that morning at 9:30 am. I had only just packed everyone off to work and school, and it was already around 8:45 am. The trip to his office took about 35 minutes, so I didn't have any time to spare. As most women do, I like to take a little extra effort over hygiene when making such visits, but this time I wasn't going to be able to make the full effort.

So, I rushed upstairs, threw off my pajamas, wet the washcloth that was sitting next to the sink, and gave myself a quick wash in that area to make sure I was at least presentable. I threw the washcloth in the clothes basket, donned some clothes, hopped in the car and raced to my appointment.

I was in the waiting room for only a few minutes when I was called in.

Knowing the procedure, as I'm sure you do, I hopped up on the table, looked over at the other side of the room and pretended that I was in Paris or some other place a million miles away.

I was a little surprised when the doctor said. "My, we have made an extra effort this morning, haven't we? I didn't respond.

After the appointment, I heaved a sigh of relief and went home. The rest of the day was normal. Some shopping, cleaning, cooking. After school when my 6 year old daughter was playing, she called out from the bathroom, "Mommy, where's my washcloth?" I told her to get another one from the cupboard. She replied, "No, I need the one that was here by the sink, it had all my glitter and sparkles saved inside it."

Never going back to that doctor. Ever.

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I hope everyone enjoyed that. I couldn't help but laugh out loud and it felt great!!

XOXO

LIFE

Sorry it has been so long since my last post.

I've just been trying to figure out this thing called life. I really thought after cancer my life would be full of joy, sunshine, happiness and all those other beautiful things. Well, I haven't really been feeling that way.

I'm actually not afraid to admit that I have decided to see a Psychologist. I know a lot has changed in my life over the last year and I need help getting back to where I was before I got diagnosed with cancer. I'm sure I can't be the only one feeling like this. Having a life threatening disease has a way of messing with your emotions.

So anyway, I just wanted to let everyone know that I am still here and why I haven't posted lately. I hope everyone is doing well.

xoxo