March 19, 2009

Well for the last 2 months I've been working on getting a referral from my primary to see my Brain Specialist, Nina. As anyone knows who has HMO you have to jump through hoops. I finally got an answer from my Dr. No. I had two appointments on Tuesday, 1 with Nina; and the other with a genetic specialist who wants to check my chance of having cancer in the other breast. He said No to both. My husband got on the phone and asked why were we given the OK twice before and now we can't. He changed his mind and we were ok'd to go to the 1 appointment.
At the appointment Nina explained she was unable to view my scans, which I sent her overnight mail 2 months ago. Her institution won't allow her to view scans from other institution's. However, she was allowed to read the report. She said the report explains how nothing was visible but she couldn't understand that as they ( the other Dr's) had nothing to compare it to.
She asked to see me in May and at that time have MRI's done at her Hospital (Northshore Evanston). So in other words the appointment was a waste. Dr. A. my primary Dr. wanted to see me before I pursue more tests. I just saw him 1 month ago. I had an appointment today.
He claims he never heard of a Dr. unable to read other hospitals scans. I told him I will have Dr. Nina call him. He approved my appointment with the Genetics Dr. While I was there I was experiencing more back pain and leg pain. It was hurting pretty good, it hurt to sit and stand, I couldn't get comfortable. He became concerned and did a urinalysis. I had blood. He then grew more concerned and did a blood test to check for Bone Cancer, or Kidney Stones. I should have results Sat. I have another appointment on Monday. I told him I had plans and was going out of town and he told me to cancel them. If the test shows anything he will do a bone scan.
I've had stones before. Of course I was 8 months pregnant at the time. They are painful. They couldn't do much for the pain because of the baby. I'm hoping it's just that I over did it with the nice weather the past few days. I will keep you posted. I now have to play chutes and ladders.

3-12-09

Jack is 5 years old, oh boy. He is so excited, he feels he is now a big boy.
I went to my oncologist and I did have chemo and the shot I love so much that raises my blood levels. Dr. R said the lesion they see in the Petscan could be the herniated disc but it is not for sure. He is referring my scans to another Dr. He also looked at the swelling on my arm and wrist and said it could be a blood clot...... We hope it may just be Lympoderma, something with the lymph nodes that were removed. He is ordering a device I put on at night to relieve the pain and swelling before were look further. Hymp... I'm off chemo for 2 weeks so hopefully we'll have all the results by then.
My hair is coming in. I've heard how nice its suppose to come in after chemo. Get this, mine is black in back, straight, black/silver on sides, curly, top patch 6" x 2" bald. I lost only 1/2 of my eyebrows, I cannot draw on eyebrows. On the bright side I lost 8 lbs.
Well dinner was just delivered so I better go eat. Wish for Spring, I'm not used to going out with no hair its' so cold.
Sincerely-Cath

GOOD NEWS

Hello everyone. The prayers are working and I appreciate it so much, thank you all. I went to my Dr. on Wed. and he claimed he saw no cancer and I was his miracle baby. He was surprised by the test results. I went to my Oncologist on Thursday and he was on vacation so I saw his assistant. She also claimed to see no cancer mentioned on the test reports. There was something though, its just the herniated disc, not cancer. I had the chemo and might or might not have it next week on Thursday. We will see what the Dr. says. It looks good, huh??? I will finally see the specialist on the 17th. By the 20th of this month I will find out how I stand on the treatments. I've been feeling pretty good and I am looking forward to Spring.

March Update

I 've contacted my specialist in Evanston and so far havn't had no luck with talking to her about my MRI's taken a few weeks ago. I'm assuming that's good news. If it was bad I would think she would want to talk to me. I had a catscan and petscan done today. I see my general Dr. on Wed. and hopefully will get the results. They are checking my neck to my thighs for any sign of abnormality. They actually gave me an IV with radio active materials.
I went to a jewelry class yesterday and the teacher had breast cancer. She beat it only to now have cancer in her ribs and lungs. She caught a virus from a sick niece and now has vocal cord damage, she talks like shes got a cold, but doesn't. Shes been battling cancer for 14 years. She looks great and has alot of stamina.
My hair is coming in, except for the very top. It looks ridiculous. I think its coming in curly, gray and black. I can feather it back on the sides, its pretty funny. My niece wore her hair moussed and spiked, it looked so good on her. I'm thinking of going with that look I just hope I'm not too old for that style. Thanks for all the prayers, there working.

GOOD NEWS!

I went to my surgeon on Tuesday and was told the pain could be from the herniated disc or the surgery. I have some swelling but the pain is getting worse. She is going to contact my Oncologist and get me therapy. I went to Oncologist today, my levels were OK. I have seen them real bad, this was bad but not that bad. So of course I had to get my bonus shot. Ouch. My Dr. also informed me that he will contact Dr. Nina and talk about the future. He didn't see any cancer on the report that he could read. He did a cell research and will have the results next Wed. If it looks good he will go forward on setting up a cat scan or pet scan. If that looks good I may be off Chemo. I hate to get too excited but it would so good to get off these chemicals.
My hair is coming in, silver and black, and get this I think curly. Its just fuzz now and bald on top. I'll keep you posted. Keep praying its working.

Monday Feb. 2

I met with my Dr. today to discuss my herniated disc. He said its pretty bad and wanted to put me on steroids but decided he couldn't do that because it will mess with my white blood cells and my cell count is almost nil as it is. He suggested we just hold on and hope it doesn't get worse and I can deal with the pain with medicine. He seems to think all this pain I have in my left arm is not from the surgery but from the herniated disc pushing on my spinal cord and the nerves. Also the hand sensations I get and thought was just arthritis is from the herniated disc. If I experience any new sensations I am suppose to call him. He hopes if I hold it off and it doesn't get worse I won't need any surgery. Thursday I have Chemo and next Tues. I meet with the Surgeon. I haven't heard from my specialist yet. Keep you posted. God Bless.