Saturday...

 She made it sound so simple...have an MRI to see my cancer and get some idea about its depth, spread and change since detection and diagnosis...

Am I claustrophobic? Do I need sedation? They play music and you'll have head phones...

According to instructions, I could not eat or drink for six hours preceding my 10:30 AM appointment at Moffitt's McKinley Hospital. 

Upon arrival, one is identified and given an ID band, taken to a changing room and given hospital garb. Mine included a traditional cloth gown and some oversized disposable long pants. Then came the large IV in the crook of my right arm for the contrast dye. and a shot in my left shoulder.

The table came to me as my chair could not be in the room, I got positioned, strapped in, blanketed and slid back into the room and given headphones before being placed inside the MRI machine. Some equate this as an oversized coffin. I elected not to look and simply kept my eyes closed. 

All good until the last stretch...the dye burned a bit going in and suddenly extreme perspiration, clamminess and nausea set in...a reaction to the dye. I requested a bathroom but nothing came up. The nurses gave me some crackers and kept an eye out until I could dress, collect my personal items and be escorted to the main lobby to find the friend that accompanied me. 

Lunch picked up on the route home, the total time spent on all of this took five hours. I ate, vomited and fell into bed exhausted. I am still very tired as of 3 PM today and though able to eat, have little desire to do so, Apparently the metals in the contrast dye can cause a variety of side effects that no-one mentioned.

The results should be in in time for my zoom meeting. I hope I feel better by then...

Happy Thanksgiving

 Mercy is celebrating her first "gotcha" day. Found by a friend, Mercy got rescued, fed. cleaned and eventually taken to a vet before coming to me on November 30, her second "gotcha" day. I am grateful for her, my friends, the cousin coming to help as I hopefully recover and my doctors. and all of you. Have a great day!

 

Mercy Today...

 My friend took this photo as both of us labored on a scrap book project for another friend in Michigan. I have been troubled by back and hip pain stemming from an auto accident years ago and finally had  to call my former PT. She has a private practice and does home visits. Things are improving though not at a pace I'd prefer.

I am also attempting to update my documents, a process that should be relatively simple but hasn't been so far. Additionally, the person named healthcare surrogate several years ago did not read his copy of the existing documents and despite agreeing to this, did not realize that he had taken that role apparently, so I'll need a further discussion. My cousin did not even understand the duties of a healthcare surrogate. All of this only adds to my anxiety. I have an MRI next Saturday and meet the surgeon virtually on December 3.

Happy Thanksgiving!

Mercy and I ...

 I am okay, though I freely admit that my head has been all over the place since the biopsy and diagnosis. The Moffitt appointment could not have gone better. Everyone is very respectful and professional. I am to have an MRI at the end of the month then meet the doctor virtually to discuss a plan of care. I believe, despite several concerns, that surgery is in my future as it is the only method for correctly staging my particular cancer.

Mercy is fine and enjoyed her pedicure today. She has been excellent company. Thanks to all of you for your continued interest and support.

Have a good evening...