MMy brother Kent came with me this time for the MRI. I decided to stay at his house the whole time. We went down the morning of my appointment, had lunch with my Aunt Liza, and then back to his house we went.
My first night there we went to a fun sushi restaurant. It was all-you-can-it, and as you walk into the big dining area, it is a circle. The chefs are in the center making the sushi and then putting them on little boats that float around in from of all of us eating. You can grap whatever you want and also make custom orders. Highly recommend going! It was delicious and fun!
The next morning we had to leave around 7 to get to Milwaukee on time for the MRI. I was taken back right away, and the MRI was about an hour and 15 minutes. I dozed off a few times and it went by pretty fast.
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| My hospital gown pic |
Once that was done we headed to an italian place to eat with my Aunt. The food was great and its always nice to see her and catch up on life! She asked how I was feeling about the scan and I had told her good! I wasn't nervous for it. I felt as good as I have been, no changes to that which I see as a good thing.
As I said, this appointment I was the least worried about. It had now been almost two years without a change, I've gone through 3 of the 6 month MRI's now and I keep getting the same good results. My trip with my girlfriends had kept my mind busy prior to this appointment. I kept saying I need to plan a vacation every 6 months, the week before the scan so I don't have time to stress! Haha. 2 days before the scan I had some anxiety about it, but other then that I was good. The day of, I was calm.
Kent has not come with me to one of these appointments before. He was surprised at how many people are in the room. 4 nurses and my radiologist, along with another doctor. Doctor Kassam was out of town that day. Bummer, I like being able to see him!
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| Traveling to Milwaukee |
Today when they walked in, the new doctor first asked how I was feeling. If I had any problems with swallowing or talking. I had said I felt good, and had no problems with that at all! But I was thinking at that time, like the other appts, quit with the small talk and give me answers! Ha. I don't like waiting during this part. Get right to the point! Walk in and tell me me, the scan looks good! Or, the scan looks bad!
During this talk, my radiologist was pulling up the scans. She always puts one up from the last scan I had, and from the scan today. "Well Valery, we have had some of a change this time...."
My heart sank. Are you kidding me!! The one time I barely worry, the one time I bring my brother along. UGH. (Kent was great by the way, he handled it much better then my mom probably would have. Haha.) I was in shock more then anything at this point. I still am. I have a hard time believing it has grown because there has been no physical changes for me..
The next step was to get an MRI of my neck. They want to make sure that there is not cancer anywhere else. Luckily I was able to work that one out to be done at home. It was like a treat for me to drive up to our local hospital and hop into an MRI machine. I usually don't like to mix hospitals, but this time, I couldn't fit in a drive back down to Milwaukee in the 5 days I was home.
My doctors will be discussing my case at their tumor board meeting on Tuesday morning. I am hoping to hear something from them after that. I am also scheduled for a PET scan the day after we are back from Arizona. Luckily we are flying in and out of Milwaukee so this will work out perfect. Once the PET is done, I can go home for another 5 days before heading back down and meeting with doctor Kassam to go over the results and discuss our plan of attack.
Personally, I hope it's a surgery to go in and remove what they can. If I can skip the chemotherapy this time, that'd be great! The tumor did not respond well to chemo last time so I feel like it's a waste of time.
The tumor is not in my skull or on my brain this time so I see that as a positive thing. It is right below in my jaw area. I am not sure if it grew off the spot on my carotid artery that we have been watching or if its a whole new area. But that is all info I will find out at my next appointment.
Back to why I had the two trips, I think my girls trip was to keep my mind off of the appointment, I had a great get away with my friends. I relaxed and had a fun time! I had nothing to worry or stress about, the kids were with their dad and my parents. It all worked out perfect and was a much needed trip! Memories that will lasts forever.
Then I got my results. Now I can not wait to get away from reality with my kids for some R&R in the sun with them! This could be the last trip we take together for a while. The kids were so excited to go, there was no way I was going to cancel it on them.
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| This morning flying out! We stayed at Kent's house last night. |
I am supposed to go to one of my best friends wedding May 13 in Vegas. I really hope that at that point I am healthy enough to go. I would absolutely hate to have to miss it. But I won't know the answer to that until I meet with my doctors.
So yes, right now my life is in limbo. There are no answers. But luckily I do know what to expect. The medical field takes time. You need to use your patience and I think I've gotten pretty good at that! I already know that I have amazing doctors taking care of me. I know what chemo feels like, I know what the surgery process is like, radiation too. I know what it's like to be in the ICU of a hospital for a long time. And I am okay with it all. Bring on whatever we need to concur this once again!
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