Author: admin

Getting the show on the road!

Bring it!

OK we have a plan. And it’s a good one.

This Friday I get the port. That is going to be like a mini surgery. I won’t be put under, but will be drugged up. I better be VERY drugged up if I’m going to be awake for it.

It’s going to be inserted under my skin (gross) so I have to heal from that a bit. Then the following week I start chemo. It’s going to be 4 times, each 3 weeks apart.

The way they explained it is like this:

  1. Get a blood test the day before to make sure everything is good.
  2. Day of meet with oncologist in the morning.
  3. Then start the infusion. It lasts 4 hours! It will include the chemo drugs but also anti nausea meds and allergy meds. I can have snacks, watch movies, sleep, play with my phone during it. Jeff will come with me as well.
  4. The first week after my immune system will be shot and I’ll be tired and nauseous. But week 2 and 3 I should feel better.
  5. Then at 21 days repeat with step 1.

Jeff and I have got ready by having a great long weekend doing fun stuff and buying these great chair for me to be able to relax in. Of course we got two so that Jeff can entertain me while I relax.

Doctor appt Friday – and starting to wig shop

My appointment with my chemo doctor is on Friday. I’m hoping to get a plan of action going at that appointment. I am not sure yet if I need a port or not.

A port from what I understand is like an electrical plug they put under your skin so they can just plug you in for chemo and blood tests instead of always finding a vein. Neither sound good, too bad this type of chemo isn’t in pill form.

I’ve also started to wig shop. It’s amazing how expensive good wigs are. But, that’s the beauty of working from home (I’m going to try to work a bit to distract me during chemo) and knowing very few people here. No one knows me and will notice that that woman with the long blonde hair is actually wearing a cheap Halloween wig.

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Radioactive! But Clear!

The good news is that my scan came back clear! I am cancer-free and ready to start preventative chemo.

The weird thing is that this is what they used on my test. I had my test on Friday and they keep the radioactive stuff in this metal box. When the nurse injected me she stood behind a metal half wall!

The craziest part was that at the end of the test a guy held a geiger counter up to me like in teh movies. And it beeped like in the movies!!! It was super weird.

But I’m good to start my preventative chemo. Not sure what the next steps are, but I’m ready to go!

Thwarted by supply chain issues!

One of these boats probably has the stuff for the test.

My test got put off a day. The lab doesn’t have the radioactive stuff they are going to put into my arm.

The test was moved to tomorrow (Friday) at 9:00 am. But, then it got moved again to 1:00 pm since they won’t have the radioactive stuff in the morning. I’m imagining they will start the IV right as a Fed Ex truck pulls up.

Bring it!!!

Turns out I need chemo. Both my San Fran and Panama doctors agree.

I haven’t updated the blog in awhile because i was trying to find a way and reason to avoid chemo.

But there is no avoiding it so I’m doing it and going to rock some cool wigs.

First I need another PET scan where they put the nuclear stuff in a vein. That will decide if I’m currently cancer free and getting preventative chemo, or if it’s already come back and I’m getting kill the cancer chemo.

Either way I’m going to kick cancer to the curb.

Here’s the current plan.

We are back in Panama after a Chicago visit to see Jan (Jeff’s mom). She is still in rehab working to get her legs and left arm working again. But she is in good spirits and doing her PT.

Radioactive test on Thur.

Results on Monday

Chemo doctor consult next week.

Stay in Panama and get that chemo going.

Rock wigs

these are all old photos, but giving me good ideas for future looks

5-6 months be done with this and travel around Panama!

Good news! No more cancer!!!

I just got a message from my doctor. There is no evidence of cancer in the stuff they removed!!!

I still might need treatment but its looking good. My doctor is meeting with “The tumor board” on Tuesday to discuss my case. So not sure if there are next steps. I’ll keep updating as i know more.

Thank you everyone for all the prayers, positive thoughts and energy!!!

Happy 2022!

Thank you to everyone. You have made this cancer stuff so much easier to deal with. I’m so humbled by everything you’ve done and continue to do for us. Thank you!!!

We made it back to Panama last night and celebrated outside with our friends Rolf and Samuel. They made us a fantastic dinner which included this menu.

Then we watched fireworks from around the city and right in front of our building.

We should get my results from surgery back this week. Fingers crossed I’m done and don’t need more treatment.

Heres to a great 2022 for us all!!

Love you!

On our way back to Panama.

We are at the Houston airport hoping our flight doesn’t get canceled.

Yesterdays flight from Tucson to Houston was canceled so we drove to Phoenix. We were able to make lemonade out of lemons. On the drive we passed Jeff’s brother Mikes new house. We jumped out of the car (Jeff jumped. I carefully stepped) saw their house, gave him a masked hug and were on our way.

Amy was at work ten minutes from the airport so jumped out again gave her a quick hug and made it to the airport.

Looking forward to fully recovering and covid to get better so we can fly to Chicago and see Jeff’s mom and other brother Don and Gabriella.

Hope everyone has a happy, safe, healthy New Years Eve.

Family time is great medicine.

I’m having a great time with my family. I’ve been able to mix hanging out with resting and recuperating, all while being covid-safe.

Unfortunately, Jeffs mom Jan is back in the hospital with an infection. That is a total bummer and concern but she’s a fighter and in good spirits. Looking forward to being fully recovered, covid to get better and Jan to be out of the hospital!!