THE FIRST TEN DAYS

Today is March 10. Since I last wrote I have had a MUGA test, whereby they injected a radioactive dye into my heart and took some pictures (CAT SCAN). I had to advise them if I was traveling soon and if I was they would give me a letter to explain why I would set off airport monitors seeking out suicide bombers. Interesting! Maybe I will begin to glow too? I’ll have to look up why it is named “MUGA” (Probably an acronym.). I would have thought they could have picked a sexier name. ”MUGA” sounds so ugly! threatening?

I am amazed at how quickly things are moving along. I have heard horror stories of long wait times, but these doctors have me running. 

This week I also have had yet another blood letting and a consultation/examination by Dr. Samji, a thoracic surgeon. Dr. Samji further described the lesions found on my lungs. He confirmed that I had a metastasis on the left lung as well on the right. Several small growths are on the lower lobes of the right lung and another larger one between the second and third lobes of the same lung. It is too early to consider the option of surgery as they have to have a more positive diagnosis. Another biopsy is being scheduled.Thus, we are in the wait and see mode. 

In the next two months will they grow? multiply? and/spread to other parts of the body? Will Sutent (should I be prescribed it) have an effect in arresting the development of these growths? Answers to these questions will help to determine whether or not surgery will form part of my battle plan. 

Just to digress a little, I have to say how impressed I was with the Cancer Research and Investigation Section on the 7th floor of the Ottawa Hospital Campus. The reception area, the consultation and examination rooms were bright, cheery, and spacious. Just being in the surroundings was uplifting and definitely conducive in helping to allay nervousness and anxiety of those visiting the area. The area is new, how new I do not know, but the architects and interior designers have done a fantastic job of setting it up with the ofttimes frightened patient in mind. This physical atmosphere and the friendliness of the staff just made you feel good. It is not a place one wants to visit as a patient, but if you must it is a good spot to be.

I went for the MRI of the brain on Friday. They injected me with more dye, not radioactive this time, and took lots of fancy pictures. I am still waiting for news of when they plan to do the CT body scan of my bones. I should have this completed prior to my next appointment with the oncologists. I will  have to undergo more blood letting and another chest Xray before that meeting as well. This meeting with Dr. Reaume and his senior fellow, Dr. Moretto is now scheduled for Mar 23. I expect to receive the results of all these examinations when we meet. I also expect to discuss treatment plans and possibly to be given a regime to follow in the coming months.

However in the meantime adhering to my philosophy of “DO IT NOW” (a familiar phrase of my mother’s that I heard often in my teenage years), this Sunday I am heading to Oxford, England to visit my brother, David, for ten days. 

I continue with my walking, struggling to lose weight which, would you believe, has actually increased in the last week. I am so disappointed. It seems ironic that I am still having to watch my weight, when eventually I will probably have to work hard to maintain or gain it. (Life does throw some odd curves at you at times.) I want to return to jogging and possibly run the 5K in the Ottawa Race Weekend in May. Also in May, Pegs and I are contemplating a tour of the Gaspe with my sister. I am planning to join friends for a golfing week in Bourne, Michigan in September. In short my life goes on. I know I cannot be cured and that plans may have to changed at the last minute,  but I plan to live every remaining moment to the best of my ability and not be hindered by negative thoughts that I cannot do anything. We all must die sometime and for most of us that time is unknown and we continue on as if it will never come. The only difference for me is that I now have a more specific timeline, it is no longer open ended. However, that being said I may end up outliving many who have not yet given a thought to death. (Am I revealing a competitive nature?)

I’ll be back later with tales from Oxford.