Hello...I thought I would drag myself away from shopping for hats online to write a brief update. Yesterday I went to Frankford Torresdale for my mugascan. At the desk the receptionist asked me to sign some forms for release of information, etc. She handed me a clipboard and I proceeded to sign the necessary forms...well...she looked up at me and said, "Oh, just one form...oh..." Apparently I had signed all the forms on her clipboard... thereby giving my consent for everyone to have a mugascan into the new year - huzzah! (Luckily, I am not the first person to do this so ther were only about half a dozen forms there - I like to use poetic license...)
Then came the mission impossible search for a vein. I needed two injections 20 minutes apart, with the second one containing a radioactive substance so that they could take pictures of the chambers of my heart. It was tough but they were finally able to get both injections into my hand. It's even harder now since they can only look on my left side. When I went into the scanner, the techs couldn't see anything. I was wondering if that had anything to do with the fact that I couldn't put both hands up over my head like they asked. (They had finally told me that I could put one up and one down) But apparently they couldn't see anything because "it" was taking a longer time since they had to inject "it" into my hand. I offered to hold my hand up and pump and that seemed to work. The whole process took about an hour and a half. We went to DQ last night after dinner to celebrate.
Today we went to see Dr. Kennedy to talk about chemo. I learned more about chemo than I ever wanted to know. My particular drugs are pretty powerful and have potentially many side effects. Luckily there are medications to try to prevent or stay ahead of these side effects. I got about 8 presciptions. I will lose my hair and there is nothing to do about that except to find some comfy head coverings. I'll take medications at home before and after each treatment - which I will receive over 4 hours or so as an out-pt every 3 weeks. I'll start the chemo when all the test results are in. The mugascan results are not in yet and I still have the PET scan scheduled for next Wednesday (keep a good thought for that one because I really don't want to move into stage 4...)
I had to have blood drawn today for the port placement scheduled for Friday. After 7 "extended" sticks we all agreed that I would go to Frankford Bucks out-patient department tomorrow and have them try. I am glad I'm getting a port...
The most memorable part of the trip was seeing a GIANT Mushroom on the edge of Dr. Kennedy's parking lot. It was the size of a basketball and there were more just like it in the woods nearby...I think I saw this one on Alfred Hitchcock Presents...more later...as always - thanks for listening.
Then came the mission impossible search for a vein. I needed two injections 20 minutes apart, with the second one containing a radioactive substance so that they could take pictures of the chambers of my heart. It was tough but they were finally able to get both injections into my hand. It's even harder now since they can only look on my left side. When I went into the scanner, the techs couldn't see anything. I was wondering if that had anything to do with the fact that I couldn't put both hands up over my head like they asked. (They had finally told me that I could put one up and one down) But apparently they couldn't see anything because "it" was taking a longer time since they had to inject "it" into my hand. I offered to hold my hand up and pump and that seemed to work. The whole process took about an hour and a half. We went to DQ last night after dinner to celebrate.
Today we went to see Dr. Kennedy to talk about chemo. I learned more about chemo than I ever wanted to know. My particular drugs are pretty powerful and have potentially many side effects. Luckily there are medications to try to prevent or stay ahead of these side effects. I got about 8 presciptions. I will lose my hair and there is nothing to do about that except to find some comfy head coverings. I'll take medications at home before and after each treatment - which I will receive over 4 hours or so as an out-pt every 3 weeks. I'll start the chemo when all the test results are in. The mugascan results are not in yet and I still have the PET scan scheduled for next Wednesday (keep a good thought for that one because I really don't want to move into stage 4...)
I had to have blood drawn today for the port placement scheduled for Friday. After 7 "extended" sticks we all agreed that I would go to Frankford Bucks out-patient department tomorrow and have them try. I am glad I'm getting a port...
The most memorable part of the trip was seeing a GIANT Mushroom on the edge of Dr. Kennedy's parking lot. It was the size of a basketball and there were more just like it in the woods nearby...I think I saw this one on Alfred Hitchcock Presents...more later...as always - thanks for listening.
4 comments:
well, you are not only a source of education, but entertaining as well! How do you do it?
Prayers abound for all the testing and results.
Hang in,
Jane
Awesome to see you at "pink" Book Club!
Let us know what we can do to help you through the next phase.
xoxox, Chad, Tara & Kelly
I still think mugascan is a made up word. It sounds much more fun than it probably is. So nice of you to share them with so many others into the new year.
And I'm really glad you'll be my poster child for the Race for the Cure. My friend Julie, who is also a survivor AND a drum facilitator has changed her weekend schedule so she can join us.
And yes of course I count you as a survivor. Fake it til you make it, right?
I'll send you more details. Now I have to go. I bought a pink boa to decorate my drums.
Love, the Brownie Bandit
I love that you're long winded and chatty....it helps me keep tabs on how you're doing.
The pink party sounded wonderful; I'm so happy for you, that you have such super support.
Thinking of you,
Jane
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