We had a busy day of medical appointments today with the PET Scan scheduled for this morning and then a ‘getting established’ meeting with our new primary care physician.
However, we got a rude reminder this morning that real life doesn’t stop just because we’re dealing with cancer.
MAJOR LEAKS
We had an early call time this morning, with an aim to get to the downtown Norton Pavilion at 7am. So we woke early, both got showered and ready, then headed downstairs to head out without much time to spare.
That’s when we noticed the water pouring through the ceiling of our downstairs bathroom. But we only had enough time to quickly throw some towels at the problem and head out to the hospital to make our appointment.
It looks like we have a major leak going from upstairs to downstairs. We had Aunt Martha come over and check it out. She said it looks like something that’s happened before and has been an issue. She’s an inspector, so she’d know. Oddly, the sellers claimed that they never had any water issues! Sheesh…
And only because everything has to happen all at once – the dishwasher started leaking today as well.
Now we have fans going full blast in the bathroom and mops going in the kitchen, and have to dive into the wonderful world of Home Warranty claims… Yikes.
PET SCAN
After that eventful start to the morning, we went downtown for the PET Scan. As they ordered, I had been fasting since bedtime the night before and was only allowed to have water. By the time we arrived at 7am, I was already starving!
They took us back pretty quick. Unfortunately, Luis was not able to join me for any part of the somewhat lengthy, very boring process. But everything went very smoothly.
The medical technician pricked my fingers and did a blood sugar test. 96. He said that’s all good, and I’m always happy these days to get any test, however minor, that is deemed all good.
Next was the part where they inject me with radioactive sugar. This came in through the arm. I took a quick pre-IV photo… I guess I better get used to that view! My arms are starting to look like I’m a heroin addict as many times as I’ve been poked the last couple weeks.
I didn’t notice any sensations from the radioactive sugar that I had read about. It could have been saline for all I would have known otherwise.
After that, I had to sit alone in a room on a recliner for an hour while the radioactive sugar circulated through my body. I spent the time texting with Luis, family and friends – and also marveling at some better than average fantasy racing numbers from the previous day. I also was watching the local news on several stations, but there was only one topic they reported on: BRIDGE TOLLS START TODAY!
After they felt like I’d done enough circulating, they took me back to the scanner. It looks like a standard CT Scanner, and it might very well be. I had to lie perfectly still, on my back, with my arms stretched out over my head – for 30 minutes! No moving, eyes closed, no music, just silence.
It was pretty boring but 100% painless, so I’m very okay with it. I’m not sure if I fell completely asleep during the scan, but I kept having this scary dream that Marco was wandering out into the streets, but there was nothing I could do about it because I was stuck in this big tube!
At the time of posting this, I am still radioactive. The last thing they said to me when I left: Don’t go around any pregnant women or children today. You’ll be radioactive for the next 12 hours. That’s comforting.
After that, I was free to go! Luis and I headed out to Wild Eggs and got a quick breakfast. I had the ACE of a BLT (my favorite!) and he got some eggs Florentine (vegetarian).
We’ll get the results on Tuesday.
DR. MICHELLE MORAN
I am so thankful that my friend Jeremy got my (and eventually Luis) in as new patients of Dr. Moran. It’s not easy to find a primary care physician in Louisville accepting new patients, and Dr. Moran is no exception. Luckily, Jeremy was able to put in a call and get us in.
I really like the Dr. Moran. And I really like all of the staff that I came in contact with at her office. That is actually a huge turnaround from my previous doctor, where the staff is all miserable and rude.
We didn’t go over much since I have no symptoms and nothing medically to speak of outside of what’s being looked after by Dr. Stevens. But I did have a very good feel about Dr. Moran and her office.
I did ask Dr. Moran if she could feel my liver, which I’m sure sounded like a ridiculous ask. But Dale from Dr. Stevens’ office had said my liver felt big and a possible trouble spot. However, Dr. Moran felt it and said that, to her, it felt completely normal. She said she did feel a lump but that it was well below where my liver was and it was probably just stool. She may have told me in her own way that I am full of shit. Known issue.
Anyways, I finally feel like I am back in capable hands. New doctor!
NOT SLEEPING
One thing I’m struggling with is not sleeping through the night. It doesn’t seem to matter what I take or even how tired I am… once I’m in bed, I’m left to my own thoughts and worries without distraction… Well, except for the phone just an arm’s reach away where I can cyberchondriac for hours.
If anyone has any suggestions on sleeping through the night (other than *put the damn phone away*) I could really use some advice. I will try anything. But right now, I just can’t seem to turn my mind off.
I think there are two big issues for me right now that keep me up and keep me worried, and both are short term:
- There’s still a lot I don’t know. Once we get the results of this PET Scan on Tuesday, I’ll know what stage my cancer is in and what our treatment plan is. But right now, I constantly worry about how advance the cancer is after so many months of inaction (more on that, later).
- We haven’t started treatment yet. I am ready RIGHT NOW to put some drugs into my body that KILL CANCER. I am ready for action! I know it’s only been about a week since my diagnosis, but I am just so ready to start the cancer killing.
Anyways, I was able to sneak in about an hour-long nap between doctor visits while Luis and Martha began to address the water disaster in the bathroom.
THANKS FOR THE SUPPORT
I know I’ve said it before, but I just can’t say it enough…
THANK YOU to everyone has reached out with support, prayers, cards, emails, phone calls, text messages, public Facebook comments, private Facebook messages – even an Edible Arrangement, haha! Not to mention all of the supportive outreach that has gone to my family in their circles – I have prayers and support from all around the world from people I don’t even personally know.
It’s all overwhelming. And it truly helps to stay upbeat and positive. I appreciate everyone who has reached out so much – more than you could even imagine.
Also, my mom has purchased a lot of the violet Hogkin’s Lymphoma support bracelets. I will be wearing mine everyday, and I suspect most of my family will be doing so as well. We have extras if you want to stop by and grab one!
Much love,
Merv
We really like the people we spoke with. Dr. Stevens came in last to speak with us for about 10 minutes. He gave us a background of Hodgkin’s Lymphoma and his practice. He told us that when he was in medical school that there was a lot of debate as to whether Hodgkin’s is actually a lymphoma (which it is) and that it used to be called Hodgkin’s Disease.
Our next steps are to get a PET Scan and a Bone Marrow Biopsy, before we’re able to get a treatment plan formed and begin treatment.
During treatment, I’ll have to make some adjustments to my diet. Mostly, that means not eating raw vegetables or anything which is known for carrying more pathogens… I can still eat veggies, but they need to be either cooked or the type which can be peeled. Also, no grapefruit; not sure why on that one.
And also the most consequential diet change: I have to stop drinking! For, like, the whole treatment period. But – I think I might seek a second opinion on that!! 🙂
MERV BEATS CANCER 