PET Scan Postponed

The insurance company has still not approved the PET scan. They haven't denied it. They just haven't approved it. So, it looks like I'm done with testing until next Tuesday. I'm looking forward to seeing my kids tonight. I have never been away from Ryan. I miss them all!

Today's Testing Fun

This morning I went in for an echocardiogram. No big deal at all.

Then it was time for the dreaded bilateral bone marrow biopsy. Thankfully, I had scheduled it with sedation. The lady who set up my IV, Patti, was so amazing. She told me the coolest story of lots of good people who supported a man diagnosed with Leukemia. I love meeting these people and hearing their stories. It's a little overwhelming though at times to think that every person on the MD Anderson campus (which is huge) has a story. Maybe they have cancer. Maybe they're a cancer survivor. Maybe they are working there. Maybe they have lost someone to cancer. But they all have a story. If you want to meet courageous people, this seems to be the place. If you want to meet, caring people, this seems to be the place.

I'd love to hear more of their stories. But, I've digressed.

Patti set up my IV and assured me that they were going to give me the "good stuff." She promised I wouldn't feel anything and I wouldn't remember anything. WHEWHOO!

Patti was right. I didn't feel the test, but now that I'm sitting on a very firm mattress, I am feeling far too much! Ouch.

I'm not sure how I'm going to sleep tonight. Both back sides are bruised and hurting and I have a catheter hanging off my chest. (It's in my medi-port so that I won't have to get stuck again tomorrow for the PET scan.) Hopefully, I'll be able to get a little sleep.

Yikes.

Today is a bilateral bone marrow biopsy. Yuck. Not just one. Two. Both sides. This is not going to be fun.

Today was a day off from testing and all cancer related things.


Michelle and I went to the Houston Temple, which is beautiful, of course. If you're not familiar with the Temple, you can click here and watch a short video that tells why Mormons build temples. Unfortunately, the video doesn't share the best part of the Temple with you. The best part is just the peace one feels when they attend the Temple. They are the most beautiful places and very quiet. I feel closer to God there than any other place on earth. If you haven't been to a LDS temple before and you're ever in an area where they are doing an "open house" at the Temple, please go. I think you'll enjoy it.

Michelle and I are staying at her sister-in-law's house. Isn't that nice? She doesn't even know me and yet she offered to let us stay there. The best part of the story though is really about Michelle's husband, Suresh. He voluntarily took the week off work so that he could be with their kids ... so that Michelle could be with me. Isn't that amazing?

I really am very blessed.

More Tests

I had more tests today. Yesterday they took 12 vials of blood, did an EKG and a chest x ray. Today they did a Mammogram, a CT scan with contrast. Contrast everywhere. Not pleasant. 2 big bottles of barium. Berry flavored barium. But, that wasn't the worst part of the barium. They also did a barium enema. And, the funny little man who had the privilege of doing it, kept snapping his gloves as I was lying down on the scanners bed. Nice. Since he was snapping his gloves, I gave him a hard time about what he must have done to get stuck with that job. I'm sure not all patients are as pleasant as me. haha.

Jana left today to go home. It was so nice of her to drive me down here and to stay with me. She is a neat lady and I really felt privileged to spend so much time with her. Hopefully, you have (at least) one of those friends who just by their example reminds you of all the good things in life, all the really worthwhile things in life. I'm lucky that I have several of those friends. I really am very blessed to have so many amazing people in my life.

Another one of my kind, amazing friends came down from San Antonio to be with me. Michelle went with me for the CT scan. I volunteered to let her go in for the barium enema. I can't believe she didn't take me up on the offer. ;)

Oh, and regarding the mammogram. One word: pancake.

MD Anderson

On Sunday, my friend Jana and I came to Houston. This morning I had an appointment with a Lymphoma Specialist at MD Anderson. If you're not familiar with MD Anderson, I'll just summarize it by telling you they are ranked #1 in treating cancer. The have an amazing reputation, and I can tell you that it is well deserved.

Today I first met with a lady for registration. Then a volunteer came over to explain just what would happen. He was really knowledgeable and kind. I then reviewed my history with a nurse. She found it unbelievable that I had not had a PET scan or at least a follow up CT scan. She was really pretty and she reminded me of one of the young women that was in my class when I lived in Plano, Texas.

When the nurse left the room, she told me that the research assistant would come and then I could wait in the waiting room for the Dr to be ready. However, about 1 minute later, the doctor came in. He had reviewed all my records and made notes on them. (Isn't that amazing?)

He was also surprised that I had not had a PET scan or a follow up CT scan. He was able to feel the lump on my neck and also saw a couple of other spots on my back that may be new "lesions." He said he would agree with the diagnosis of marginal lymphoma and would originally have put it at stage 4.

He ordered all new scans and some new tests as well. We discussed the "what if's." If it's not the Lymphoma that is causing the symptoms, it could be autoimmune related. If it is the Lymphoma, it could be in "partial remission", meaning that it is essentially just waking up, or it could be active. It could also be another type of cancer.

To determine what's going on, he's ordered a bunch of tests. Blood work, EKG, Echocardiogram, Chest Xrays, CT scans, mammogram, neck biopsy, bone marrow biopsy, and PET Scan. He'd also like a dermatology, hepatalogy, and gastroenterology consult.

We discussed briefly that he will tolerate 1, maybe 2 relapses before he refers me for a stem cell transplant. Also, they have a clinical trial that is opening in November that is specifically for recurring marginal lymphoma.

Obviously, it doesn't make sense to spend a lot of time dealing with the what if's. It's much better to just get the information we need. So, let the testing begin!

It's In The Valleys I Grow

My Dad shared this poem with me. I think it's beautiful!

Sometimes life seems hard to bear,
Full of sorrow, trouble and woe
It's then I have to remember
That it's in the valleys I grow.

If I always stayed on the mountain top
And never experienced pain,
I would never appreciate God's love
And would be living in vain.

I have so much to learn
And my growth is very slow,
Sometimes I need the mountain tops,
But it's in the valleys I grow.

I do not always understand
Why things happen as they do,
But I am very sure of one thing,
My Lord will see me through.

My little valleys are nothing
When I picture Christ on the cross
He went through the valley of death;
His victory was Satan's loss.

Forgive me Lord, for complaining
When I'm feeling so very low.
Just give me a gentle reminder
That it's in the valleys I grow.

Continue to strengthen me, Lord
And use my life each day
To share your love with others
And help them find their way.

Thank you for valleys, Lord
For this one thing I know
The mountain tops are glorious
But it's in the valleys I grow!

Best Invention Ever!

Truly, the Best. Invention. EVER!! It even extends to 21" AND has a pocket clip. I can take it everywhere. No more searching for a sharp corner or a willing back scratcher. Thanks, Tami!!

I found this note written on an envelope in my room. I'm sure I made it from a talk that I heard, but I don't remember who the speaker was or when it was made. I think it's wise counsel and don't want to forget it.

"Pray for the ability to see your children's needs before they become big problems. Ask for specific insight on each child's concerns. Ask for ways to guide them in the paths of truth and righteousness. Ask for methods to help your children fulfill their destiny and He will show the way."

In honor of...

National Taco Day!

Did you know that today is National Taco Day? It is.

To honor this special occasion we had tacos for dinner, of course. What else would you have on National Taco Day?

David also wrote this very special little poem, and repeated it dozens and dozens of times during dinner.

There once was a boy named Paco,
And for each and every meal
He ate a taco.
'Til one day,
He went crazy,
He went home to be lazy,
And that was
The last of poor Paco.

Please tell me why.

I don't always agree with everything or see the necessity for things, but I can usually see why others might think it's a good idea. But, I went shopping for a homecoming dress with Jessica the other day. While I was waiting, I saw this pretty black dress. I don't usually shop at that particular store, but I thought, "Oh, I'll try it on."

After selecting my size, I went into the dressing room and slipped the dress on. It was a very pretty dress ... but ... wait ... what? what is this? What???


Can someone PLEASE explain to me WHAT this is? It was almost like a pocket, but it went all the way through. It laid flat, unless I took a step and then it did this weir puckering thing where you could see through to the other side. Is it a hand warmer?

I know I'm not a fasionista, but seriously, what's up with this?

The Perfect Fall Day

Today was it! The perfect fall day. The air was cool and crisp; yet, the sun was shining brightly. It was perfect! David, Deborah, Johnathon & I took advantage of the day by going to the playground. Actually 2 playgrounds. :)

The Promised Update

The air conditioner was fixed just in time for me to shower and leave for my Oncologist appointment. So, the promised update...

The Cancer is once again behaving itself poorly and I'm symptomatic. The good news is that Friday's scheduled maintenance treatment has been put on hold. Instead I am headed to MD Anderson in Houston in just a couple of weeks to meet with a Doctor who specializes in my specific type of Lymphoma. It seems they will re-biopsy and re-scan me from head to toe. I don't really have much more information to share with you.

There have been several neat experiences that have led to this event of scheduling the appointment at MD Anderson. Although I have seen the Lord's hand in my life so many, many times, I still stand in awe each and every time. I amazed at the symphony of events that have recently taken place and at the faithfulness of each person who has played their part so beautifully, responding to quiet whispers with perfect timing. I thank you for your prayers and for your faithfulness! Keep the faith!

An update is past due. I know. I will get to one soon. I'm on my way to the Oncologist and will give you a report when I get home. I'm really not ignoring the blog. It's just an unusually busy week. In addition to the usual craziness, I'm also in the process of working my way through two 8-inch stacks of paper work, trying to ignore another 4-inch stack of paper work, and preparing a talk for Sunday's church meeting. I have a bunch of pictures that I want to share with you, a ton of thoughts, a few questions, one movie moment, a humbling moment, and a few sweet experiences that I'd love to share with you.

And, all very soon. First, let me get my kids and myself dressed for the day (3 down only 4 to go), the air conditioner fixed, and home from my Oncologist appointment. It won't be long.

Today is Deborah's 4th birthday.
I said, "How old are you?"
She said, "Almost 5!"

You have to take the best

from whatever the situation is
and go on.
~Jimmy Buffett

Silly Girl

Deborah found this hat at Target today and wore it the whole time we were there, and made silly little faces as she looked at other shoppers. It's a good thing she's so dang cute!

Want to know what my all time favorite movie is? It's The Gnome Mobile.

Wanna know why?

Well, it's cause when I was a kid, I wanted to be a gnome. No kidding. I wanted to be a real live gnome. I thought it would be so cool! I could imagine myself sitting in school, and in church, and riding a puppy dog, and sitting on top of my grandpa's cap, or on my dad's shoulder. Yea. I really thought it'd be pretty great.

So even still when I see The Gnome Mobile (and yes, I have watched it again in the last year, and yes, I joyfully sing along with the songs) I still think it'd be pretty cool to be a gnome. But, anyway ... all this just to tell you that the other day I was on Facebook and I saw this picture of my cousins. I immediately loved it! It not only makes me happy because it's fun to see my cousins, but it also makes me happy because the man in the picture reminds me of one of the characters in The Gnome Mobile, which quite frankly might be one of the highest compliments I could pay to anyone.


"In the gnome mobile, in the gnome mobile. Rolling along in the gnome mobile. Oh, what a wonderful way to feel! Rolling along in the gnome mobile!"

Jacob's First Day of School

Have you heard the news? After much consideration and prayer, we made the decision to have Jacob attended public school. In case you don't know, I've always home schooled (other than 1 semester of Kindergarten). We decided to do this because I've been just a little busy lately. Jacob has always wanted to attend school and we know that he will do well there. So, we decided that it made sense to let him go.

I don't know who was more nervous, me or Jacob. Oh, wait. Yes, I do. Me! Definitely, Me! I don't think 5 minutes went by from the time I left the school until I saw him get off the bus that I didn't think about him. I would have liked to have attended his classes with him for his first day, but I suppose that might have been a bit awkward for him.


I was quite happy to hear that things went well.

I am so tired today. I feel like I can barely keep my eyes open.