Oh, the joy of doctor's visits. At least this time they are not filled with the doom of bad news.
I had my six-weeks post radiation checkup with Dr. O. that went wonderfully. Of course, the last time I was there I had a raging fever and the chicken pox. No wonder everyone thought I looked great, I was coherent! A vast improvement. Everyone gave me a hug. My BP was low and my temp was high but a good report there, I just need to remember to use SPF 30 or higher anytime I'm in the sun. I had been out for about 15 minutes the week before and my treatment area turned red again. Dr. O. scheduled me for a mammogram in August and then I'll see her again in September.
I also saw Dr. G at Blue Ridge Cancer Care. My appointment with him went well. My bloodwork had came back with good results, which is great. I described to him the issues I've been having with my port every time they flush it... that it's not just a migraine. The fever, chills, body pain... it's too much to deal with. He agreed and said it's time for it to come out!!! Great news. It does require another surgery. Not so great. It wouldn't give blood back for the bloodwork so they had to use my arm, I'd almost forgotten what that was like! It's a little discouraging because they do have trouble accessing veins in that arm and the port was so helpful during chemo, I can see why they like to have/use them. It just won't cooperate!!!
I do have to say, it is strange going back to BRCC after chemo. I look around and see the people, especially the women receiving their treatments... having lost their hair... and I just want to hug them. I can see how strong they are becoming and how they are hiding their fear. Because that's what you do to get through it. It makes you a different, hopefully better, person.
Friday, May 27, 2011
Friday, May 6, 2011
Hospitals
Wouldn't it be great if we didn't need doctors or hospitals anymore? Take a minute and just think if everyone was healthy until their dying day. Then maybe an angel could grant you a final 24 hours; to spend with your loved ones or family, or to do whatever you've put off doing. Just so we leave this earth still healthy, not worn away from pain, disease or old age.
Then people wouldn't wait until you are on your deathbed to spend a few last days or hours with someone they once knew. Someone who is now incoherent, or painfully ill. We could come together will all those we know and enjoy our time together. Not put it off saying we could do it another day. Instead of prioritizing things like work, which does not take care of us when we are ill. No matter how much sweat or time we sacrifice to it.
I know this may sound naive. And some may say the bad times make us appreciate the good. And they probably do. For a time.
I've spent a lot of time in hospitals this year. Usually as the patient. Yesterday I was there for my dad to have a heart catherization done to check for blockages. It was much needed since he had been having chest pains for a while. We got up at 4am to be in Roanoke by 6am. I was a wreck. I rambled the entire drive down there. Anyone who knows me knows that on a normal day I don't talk to anyone before 9 or 10am. Then once they checked Dad in, I just sobbed until they took him back. They did a heart cath on him several years ago and his heart stopped, they had to shock him. It took a lot of convincing to get him to come back and have this done.
After the year we had I just couldn't take being in the hospital and waiting again. I couldn't read. I just sat there or paced the room. Mom is amazing. She's been through this with Dad, me, Grandma and Granny. Just in the past year or two. The fact that she has been through this with all of us and is so calm is a blessing.
Dad made it through fine. One of his main arteries (lateral?) was 90% blocked so they put a stent in to open it up. They showed us the before and after pictures. It was almost completely pinched off! Hopefully he'll recover well since he doesn't do good staying in the house.
Then people wouldn't wait until you are on your deathbed to spend a few last days or hours with someone they once knew. Someone who is now incoherent, or painfully ill. We could come together will all those we know and enjoy our time together. Not put it off saying we could do it another day. Instead of prioritizing things like work, which does not take care of us when we are ill. No matter how much sweat or time we sacrifice to it.
I know this may sound naive. And some may say the bad times make us appreciate the good. And they probably do. For a time.
I've spent a lot of time in hospitals this year. Usually as the patient. Yesterday I was there for my dad to have a heart catherization done to check for blockages. It was much needed since he had been having chest pains for a while. We got up at 4am to be in Roanoke by 6am. I was a wreck. I rambled the entire drive down there. Anyone who knows me knows that on a normal day I don't talk to anyone before 9 or 10am. Then once they checked Dad in, I just sobbed until they took him back. They did a heart cath on him several years ago and his heart stopped, they had to shock him. It took a lot of convincing to get him to come back and have this done.
After the year we had I just couldn't take being in the hospital and waiting again. I couldn't read. I just sat there or paced the room. Mom is amazing. She's been through this with Dad, me, Grandma and Granny. Just in the past year or two. The fact that she has been through this with all of us and is so calm is a blessing.
Dad made it through fine. One of his main arteries (lateral?) was 90% blocked so they put a stent in to open it up. They showed us the before and after pictures. It was almost completely pinched off! Hopefully he'll recover well since he doesn't do good staying in the house.
Sunday, May 1, 2011
Always a Bridesmaid...
One of my best friends got engaged over Christmas. She asked me to be a bridesmaid in her wedding. At the time I had just had my fifth round of chemo and was as bald as I could be. Of course I still said yes. I was ecstatic for her!
Lynn and I have been friends from our first week of college at New River Community College. I had Biology with her and her sisters. You can say it was God, fate, destiny or whatever, that we become friends... I thought they looked familiar and I just went up and started talking to them. And, well, we really haven't stopped talking in the past ten years. All the other sisters have been married for a while now; so Lynn and I were the last of the single girls. And our last relationships kind of mirrored each other in duration and drama. We bonded over that in the past few years with lots of girls nights.
Then Lynn runs off to Alaska to visit friends last summer and meets the love of her life. Who knew? Apparently I need to visit Alaska! But fast forward a bit...
The wedding weekend was amazing. On Thursday, we had a bridesmaid luncheon with all the girls involved in the wedding and then went to dinner and bowling that night. Friday was the rehearsal which was a hoot, getting all the guys involved. The dinner was great, at the Homeplace and there were some touching speeches made from everyone involved. The wedding... wow. Ben's father did the majority of the service and did an amazing job. They honored their family and friends, AND God in the service. In a way I've never heard or seen done. I don't normally cry at weddings, but I have to admit that tears were streaming down my face as we walked out. Then I just busted out sobbing. Right before we did pictures. Haha. I don't know if it was the service or the thought of Lynn moving to Alaska but it really did me in. But it was an amazing wedding and I was honored to be a part of it.
Lynn and I have been friends from our first week of college at New River Community College. I had Biology with her and her sisters. You can say it was God, fate, destiny or whatever, that we become friends... I thought they looked familiar and I just went up and started talking to them. And, well, we really haven't stopped talking in the past ten years. All the other sisters have been married for a while now; so Lynn and I were the last of the single girls. And our last relationships kind of mirrored each other in duration and drama. We bonded over that in the past few years with lots of girls nights.
The Logans: Lauralee, Lynn, Amanda
Then Lynn runs off to Alaska to visit friends last summer and meets the love of her life. Who knew? Apparently I need to visit Alaska! But fast forward a bit...
the Mr. & Mrs. - Ben and Lynn
The wedding weekend was amazing. On Thursday, we had a bridesmaid luncheon with all the girls involved in the wedding and then went to dinner and bowling that night. Friday was the rehearsal which was a hoot, getting all the guys involved. The dinner was great, at the Homeplace and there were some touching speeches made from everyone involved. The wedding... wow. Ben's father did the majority of the service and did an amazing job. They honored their family and friends, AND God in the service. In a way I've never heard or seen done. I don't normally cry at weddings, but I have to admit that tears were streaming down my face as we walked out. Then I just busted out sobbing. Right before we did pictures. Haha. I don't know if it was the service or the thought of Lynn moving to Alaska but it really did me in. But it was an amazing wedding and I was honored to be a part of it.
Me!
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