Breaking News

Hi Everyone! I am sorry, I have not had the strength nor energy for the last few weeks required to keep a blog. Though I have many stories and more information to share about my experiences in last few months, they will have to wait till a later date. The breaking news I must share is I was declared cancer-free at my follow up Doctor Visit on Thursday, January 24, 2013! Praise God! No chemotherapy treatments! Can I get an Amen! No further treatment needed. Now is a time for healing from the surgery, and rest to regain the energy it will take to fill you in again in a few days.

~ 2 Corinthians 9:15

Thank God for this gift too wonderful for words!

Thank you for your continued prayers, they are felt in the depth of my very being. I am so blessed to have the love and support of so many!

I love you, All

Lung Surgery and Hospital Stay

We arrived at our favorite parking stall about 7:05 am, on Wednesday, Jan 9, 2013, and check in time at the surgery waiting area wasn’t until 8:00 am. Steven asked if I wanted to nap or head on over. I would have liked to nap, but my bladder had a different idea all together. Though today we had to go to the hospital instead of the DCAM building, you get to one just as quick as the other from the parking garage bridge. Stopped by the security desk to inquire the directions to the “Family Surgery Waiting Room” aka P2-11. He stepped over a few feet and pointed to a line on the floor and said, “Just follow this burgundy line and you will get there”. We walked and chatted while following this mysterious line, going left and then turning right, a little uphill along the way, through hallways and corridors…felt kind of like Dorothy in the Wizard of Oz, following the yellow brick road. The hike seemed like a good half mile or so, I have no idea if that is even close to accurate…but we arrived around 7:30 am for check in. We were sitting there waiting patiently, and around 8:30 am, a very pleasant woman came over and badly mispronounced my last name as she informed us that it would probably be an hour before they would be ready for me. I corrected the pronunciation of my name, and thanked her for updating me, rather than leave me sit not knowing. I pulled out my iPad to check email, and Steven pulled his cap down over his eyes and it made the time go by.

They came and got us about 10:30 am; it was finally my turn for pre-op, and time to get on with the rest of my life. I went in with a positive attitude and determined to be the best patient I could possibly be. Everything was going great, until this nurse (who could not pronounce my last name either) pulled out the shark spear that she was about to plug into my very fragile veinL I forced a smile as I handed her my left hand for her to begin the torture. My husband, my hero, to my rescue…begins to poke me in the eyes to distract me…LMAO! The six inch IV was in and taped very securely in place, this part of the torture is over. At least they will put the other two in after they have knocked me out!

Next thing I knew, I was opening my eyes in ICU. Before I could even blink they were plugging me into machines and hooking me up to a breathing treatment. Then one nurse started asking stupid questions, like what year is it and crap like that. I was trying to answer these stupid questions and the other nurse was barking the “breath” order at me, with my breathing treatment tubes sticking out of my face and all the while I haven’t even come around enough to know if I am alive. Thank you God! That continued to play through my mind, as they worked at getting everything done they needed to do.

My Best Friend

What the?

I Hate You!

After completing all tests and blood work, I was in stable condition. That was when they introduced me to what they called “My New Best Friend” a breathing apparatus. I have not, nor will I ever call this contraption any kind of friend! It sits right next to me all day long, and as much as I hate it, I use it all day long! 

Thursday January 10, 2013 started out as a good strong day with everything positive. I could have gotten sprung from ICU, but there were no available beds in the hospital due to the flu going around. On the plus side, I didn't have to share a room with anyone that might be sick. I also ended up with some the most painful muscle spasms on my right shoulder blade and under my armpit that would bring tears to my eyes. Of course this happens after they turn off my morphine pump and start me on Vicodin so I could go home. They can’t send you home on morphine, so I had to make the switch. 

We did come to discover, that if I would NOT use my newly traumatized arm to push myself up off the bed or the chair, it would not go into excruciating and painful spasms! So that bettered my day, as well as a quick call from my best friend Valerie and the love of my life at my side! 

As everyone knows, you can never get any rest in the hospital. Vitals at the top of every hour, medications…never all at once, and the breathing treatment every four hours, who has time to sleep? 

Friday January 11, 2013 I was finally moved to a regular room. Now missing my privacy a bit, just hoping that some with the flu does not get the bed next to mine. My surgeon, Dr. Vigneswaran came to check on me, and I filled him in on the loss of blood from my chest tube. After looking at it briefly, he put on some gloves, pushed a few times in a few places that could have made anyone scream! My hero again, distracting me from this painfully obvious situation I was in, by mushing my face into his side. My glasses almost became a permanent fixture on my face, but we pried them loose before it was too late. The Dr. was barking breathing orders at me, and announced he was going to pull my chest tube! It was over quickly and I could begin to compose myself again. He said that my tube was leaking because I did not have enough skin fat to hold it more securely in place.

That was already enough action for me that day; I was falling asleep before my honey was even ready to leave. He texted me when he was home safely and I must have sleep texted him back because neither of us knows what the heck it says. LOL!

Saturday January 12, 2013 I am going home! I was up with breakfast ordered about 7:30 am. Thought I would watch some General Hospital on my iPad while eating and working on Friday’s puzzle. The Intern popped in around 10:00 am, and everything checked out great, just need another x-ray and I am on my way home!

Everyone at the hospital was outstanding from beginning to end. I cannot say enough about the wonderful care I feel I have received from University of Chicago Hospital. All the Doctors, nurses and other employees have been a shining example of team work and played a crucial role in my surgery and recovery.

~Romans 8:28

And we know that God causes everything to work together for the good of those who love God and are called according to his purpose for them.

I tried to get this blog posted on 1/17/12, but ended up in the ER! I will try to get that blog on in the next couple of days.

Another fun filled day downtown tomorrow, stay tuned.

13 Days Smoke Free and About Surgery Ready!

Thank you everyone! With the encouragement and prayers from all of you, I have not had a cigarette in 13 days!!! Some days are tougher than others to get through. I did realize my number 1 trigger…getting in my car and lighting up before the car goes into gear:( I have always smoked while driving, but I am slowly figuring out that I can drive without a cigarette! 

Today was a quicker than usual day in Chicago. Steven had blood work, 2 CT scans, and the appointment with his radiation oncologist, Daniel J. Haraf, MD. Good news! Clean bill of health! Still cancer free! Can I get an Amen! We were early for everything today, and they got us in early for everything, so we got to head home early and miss the worst of traffic.

The last few days I have been trying to logically prepare stuff before my surgery, so I have plenty to do without extra bending, stooping, or reaching. Notice the big comfy lazy boy I chose as my relaxing chair. I have put together a “things to do” table for me after surgery. It is filled with puzzle books, needle point, hook rug, cross stitch, 60 piece puzzles through 550 piece puzzles, an iPad, and plenty of light! Of course there is room for Tinker's bed right by my cozy chair!

I'm going to miss my girl!

Tomorrow is the last day for me to finish anything that might need my attention with in the next week. I am sure while shopping and running errands I will think of 100 more things that need to be done. This will be my last post until after surgery on January 9th. I will be in the hospital 2-5 days, and don’t imagine I will post until I have been home for few days. Thank you all, again, and again for your continued prayers, they are greatly appreciated. 

~Psalm 103:13-14

As a father has compassion on his children, so the Lord has compassion on those who fear him; for he knows how we are formed, he remembers that we are dust.

Smoking Anxiety and Optics Planet Holiday Gala

Yesterday was an interesting and challenging day for me. As I started my drive to work in the morning, on my THIRD day without a cigarette, I felt the anxiety welling up in me. We had the Optics Planet Holiday Gala to attend last night, and you will usually run into me outside with the smokers! It was like I couldn't figure out what I was going to do if I couldn't hang with peeps that I am used to hangin’ with. I called my punky’s phone and left him a message, just as every other morning while going to work, except this one had an anxiety freak alarm all over it! When Steven called me a bit later to leave me a message, as he always does, he talked me off the ledge and helped better prepare my mind for the NO SMOKING evening ahead.

My honey pie arrived home to pick me up for the party, with much encouragement and a positive attitude! As we were driving, I realized that this would be the first Optics Planet function that we have attended since Steven started his chemotherapy back in April. Then I started thinking how nice it is going to be to see so many people that I haven’t seen for a while. Also knowing that many of them already knew about my lung cancer diagnosis, and have already started praying for me brought a big smile to my heart and eased the anxiety. 

We arrived at Bristol Court Banquet Hall in Mount Prospect, IL to begin the evening of fun, food, and friends. As we worked our way from the coat check area into the banquet hall, we were greeted with huge smiles and encouraging hugs. We then decided on the table in the corner where a few friends were already staking claim. Then it was time to take the journey around the room and say hi to all the familiar faces and be introduced to the newer ones. I don’t recall a time when I have ever been hugged so much, and so meaningfully, encouraging, and tightly! I have known since my diagnosis that many people are praying for me, and want to do anything they can to help, but the knowledge can never replace the sincere sentiments and uplifting words or the feeling of being cared for deeply by many. Now that is truly priceless! My honey was glued to my side for support. He had decided earlier at home, that he would not be drinking this evening, which put me even more at ease.

The night was filled with a full spread of delicious food, good music, and lots of laughter, fun, and games. I don’t believe I mentioned the theme this year was “White Nights” and everyone was to wear white. The whole room was decorated in white and looked amazing. 

I didn't really participate too much in the fun and games this time, but I did raise my hand to pick a box, though I was clueless on what was going on! Now I know it was the “Vendor Mystery Briefcase” game. When Kayla called me to pick a box, I was tickled pink! I whispered in my honey’s ear, which box he thought I should pick and he said “Browning”. I probably shouldn't have bothered him, I already had my eye on the “Leatherman” box, and that was the one I chose.

Then I got to take it up on stage to open it…suspense….I won! I won a cash prize of $50.00! Whoooo hooo! Still don’t know how the whole game is/was played, but hey, I am fifty bucks richer and that works for me. 

We kind of snuck out earlier than normal, but it was already a full day for both of us, since it was a week night and we both worked yesterday. The drive home was nice, for 11:00pm on a Friday night. It hit Steven that neither of us had taken pictures. Not unusual for me not to think about it, but it surprised both of us that my punky didn’t. I quietly thanked God for the grace he provided to get me through without cigarette anxiety, and for the many people who care about me and are praying for me.

~John 14:27

“I am leaving you with a gift—peace of mind and heart. And the peace I give is a gift the world cannot give. So don’t be troubled or afraid”.

It's Time to Quit Smoking!

Merry Christmas, Everyone! Today is the last day of smoking cigarettes for this girl! I knew this day was coming the moment the ER Dr. mentioned the nodule on my lung back in September. As this information floated around in my head and I continued in prayer about my smoking situation, I was prompted back in October to set a date. My very humanness, wanting to have its own way and not stop smoking, procrastinated on setting the date until mid-November. After much prayer one night before sleeping, I woke up thinking of ~ 1 Corinthians 16:13. Be on guard. Stand firm in the faith. Be courageous. Be Strong. The next thought I had was "you will quit on Christmas"!

I think I have every thing I need!

Today being Christmas and my final day of smoking, my mind keeps going to one of my favorite scriptures. ~Philippians 4:7. And the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Chris Jesus. I ask that everyone say a prayer for the strength I will need to endure the cravings, and the patience Steven will need to put up with me for the next several weeks.

My Christmas wish too!

Merry Christmas Eve! and My PET Scan

Merry Christmas Eve, Everyone! Our journey to Chicago this morning was a breeze, made it to the parking garage in 44 minutes. Steven beat my old best time of 47 minutes on Memorial Day, when I was taking him for his first of five in-patient chemo/radiation treatments. I had time for a cigarette, so I stepped out of the car to smoke, and my honey stayed warm in the car patiently waiting. Then it was time to head over to the DCAM building for the usual pit stops before the appointment. Wow, I still had time for another cigarette, so like an idiot, back out into the cold to smoke. Steven, smartly, patiently, waited in the warm waiting area for me. Boy I love that man!! I also know he is patiently counting the hours until my final cigarette on Christmas night when I go to bed.

Took the elevator down to radiology and got signed in about 7:55 am. My PET scan appointment was scheduled for 9:00 am, but they told me to be there an hour early. Now I know that extra hour was to be spent poking me with yet another IV needle, this time to pump some radiation into my blood stream. Now to sit STILL (no reading, Kindle, phone) and wait 80 minutes, well I took a nap!

I woke as the tech was getting ready to remove the IV. Then he began to explain to me “the good news is I won’t be radioactive all day, so I can be around other people, but they advised against small babies and pregnant women”. What the heck is that about? Well I wasn't going anywhere today anyway, so I guess it doesn't matter.

Now entering the big, cold scanning room with the giant tube that I have become far too familiar with! I was smiling to myself, because I was smart enough to wear sweats and no bra so I didn't have to change into hospital garb. Another nice thing about University of Chicago is that they offer pre-warmed blankets, and I said, “Yes, please”! The PET scan was over in probably 20 minutes. This was the first time the machine was not barking breathing orders at me the whole time I was inside! The paperwork was already done, and this was our only appointment today, so we were free to leave!

The drive home was great, no backups or congestion! Traveling to Chicago for treatment would not be so bad if the roads and traffic were always like this. Oh, well. The next trip to Chicago is January 7, 2012 for Steven’s follow up appointments, and then my surgery on January 9, 2012.

I thank all of you for your support and prayers; they mean the world to us! I pray that all my friends and family have a most blessed Merry Christmas and most joyous of New Years! 

Finding Out I Have Cancer and Where I am Today.

Remembering how it all started back on September 19, 2012. I could not keep liquids of any kind down, or get out of bed. It was even painful to lay there or sleep. I had been miserably sick for over four days when I asked the love of my life to take me to the hospital. I packed my little black bag that I was so accustomed to carrying on trips to the hospital with my honey during his cancer illness. Just grabbed the important stuff; my ID and insurance card, the Kindle, head phones, E-cigarette & charger, and of course my regular cigarettes, etc. Steven proceeded to take me to Sherman Hospital in Elgin, IL, though he was still not feeling well following his successful cancer treatment! They plugged me into an IV and hooked me up to all the machines then gave me a shot of Zofran to settle my stomach, and a shot of morphine for the pain from throwing up and dry heaving. I had to drink a nasty mix of potassium before they continued to run every test known to man (or so I thought). The blood work first of course, followed by chest x-ray, EKG, ultra sound, CAT scan, and so on and on and on.

The room was finally quiet and I was resting very uncomfortably while Steven sat bedside reading his book. The ER Dr. sailed into the room announcing all my test were good EXCEPT on my chest x-ray where there was a nodule on my lung that I should look into.

(I might fill in all the craziness happening in between these times, but for now I just want to get everyone updated).

I am going to fast forward the story to Dec 3, 2012, my biopsy at University of Chicago with specialist Dr. Kyle Hogarth. He delivered my diagnosis of cancer on the lung. A rare strand usually found in NON-smoking women over the age of 65. I’m still scratching my head on that one. They are “cautiously optimistic” that it is not in the lymph node.

We were able to sit down with Dr. Michael Maitland MD, Ph.D, a medical oncologist on Dec 11, 2012. He started with my medical and family history and all the information they didn't have since I just popped in from the suburbs with no referral or anything. Then he explained that it should be operable, and depending on the biopsy after surgery I might not need chemotherapy! When we left we had an appointment to meet with a surgeon on Dec 21, 2012.

So yesterday was Friday, December 21^st. Our appointment was scheduled for 9:15 am with a pulmonary function test to follow at 10:15 am. They even threw in a 12:00 pm with Pre Op Anesthesia that I was not aware of until getting the fax confirming my appointments the night before. The big snow storm that was supposed to roll in on Thursday night didn’t happen, but it was still freezing and wet. So we decided to leave at 5:45 am, making room for any complications on this already 1-2 hour treacherous drive that we have become accustomed to. The drive was a bit nasty with the people who forget how to drive when a drop of snow occurs for the first time, but uneventful, thank God. We arrived at the parking garage approximately 7:00 am, so we had time to crawl in the back and take a nap, another thing we have become accustomed to during this year’s cancer treatments and visits for Steven. Alarm was set for 8:30 am, but my immediate need to use the bathroom came over me about 8:15 am, so we gathered our hospital gear and headed for the DCAM building. After relieving myself of my morning coffee and combing my hair, I met my punky pie in our usual spot. I still had time for a cigarette before my appointment, so I headed out into the cold (I’m such an idiot sometimes), while Steven smartly waited in the warm area by the coffee shop.

Arrived 5^th floor, module 5B, and was promptly checked in around 9:00 am. We went to sit in the waiting area. I had just pulled out the Kindle and Steven stepped away to the washroom, they were already calling me in back! I’m thinkin’ this is pretty cool, get in, get out, and get on with the rest of everything going on today.  She took me for my vitals and to go over my drug list, then put me in my room for the Dr. Suddenly I hear my love calling out my name, in his deep whisper voice…..I think everyone heard him, but he found meJ Steven pulled out his book, and me, the Kindle to pass the time.  Well, the darned time passed alright. It was 10:05 already,  and still no doctor. My pulmonary function test was in 10 minutes! My honey, always taking care of me, went out front to find out what the hey! Very last minute schedule change, go take the pulmonary function test and then come back, that way the doctor could view the results before going forward.

Ran over to module 5E.  Same floor so easy enough to make my 10:15am on time. The normal check in, and be seated in the waiting area. As my love flipped through pages of a magazine, I was sitting there thinking about my last pulmonary function test in November at the Pulmonary , Critical Care & Sleep Specialists back in Elgin, Il. It’s not a difficult test, but it takes blowing all your breath away! The tech came for us pretty quickly and took us back.

Got me hooked up right away, and I could even see the monitor screen this time, that was kind of encouraging. He explained everything as we went along, and I completed every test, and I am still breathing, so I’m taking that as a good thing! He finished the different tests in a timely fashion, and we were on our way back to the first appointment.

Arriving back at module 5B before 11:00 am, we were nodded to take a seat for just a moment. A tech showed up and took us back right away, and then we were back in the room to wait for the surgeon again.  Within a few minutes, we met with surgeon Wickii T. Vigneswaran MD, FACS. He went over all the different risks involved, and explained that it is planned to be a robotic surgery, but if for any reason that is not suitable at the time of surgery, he would have to cut me a bit further to get to it himself. We began to set the date for surgery, and I thought that was going to break out into an argument, but I bit my tongue. We were about decided on Jan 2^nd, when he realized I hadn't quit smoking yet, he demanded that I quit today. I told him, my plan is in place to quit on Christmas, and that is what I am sticking to. He continued to move the date to January 9, 2012, as he repeatedly told me to quit today, looking at me, knowing that I was not going to quit until Christmas! Ha! We also went over the different consent forms, reminding me they are a teaching hospital, and that my surgery could be observed by up to 6 students. I don’t have a problem with that…….

1. Having a doctor with enough experience to be an expert and a teacher work on me is an honor.

2. Everyone who wants to practice medicine needs to have the opportunity to get the experience in which to practice.

3. Why in the heck should I care, I will be asleep before they come in, and they won’t be standing over me in recovery.

Next and last on the list is the 12:00 pm Pre Op Anesthesia appointment on the 2^nd floor, module 2E. We hardly waited in the waiting area 5 minutes before being called back. We went over all current medications and the general questions before I would be put under. Both the doctor and her assistant were female. They were excellent in explaining their part in my surgery. It is up to them to stick a giant tube down my throat AFTER I fall asleep, while hooking up a few extra IV’s. It was in my understanding that it is also their job to support and keep my good lung breathing, while the other one is being worked on. They were professional and complete in all answers to questions and explanations. I would have asked for a business card, but they are some of the top quality professionals that have worked with me that I won’t be running into again.

Finally it was time for the journey home. I think that always gives us a sense of peace, as we look back on another day of completed doctor visits. While the drive home was congested, it always seems nicer traveling home bound at any time of day. Of course as we near our home we mention to each other “Tinker’s home”, and smile as we pull into the driveway.

Next appointment before surgery is Christmas Eve. We get to spend the morning of December 24^th getting my full body PET scan. Oh boy! I can hardly wait (I say facetiously)!