Surgery Scheduled.-- no navel after November 10th.

The last PET scan showed a mass behind my navel. That mass may (or may not) be attached to the abdominal wall, the intestines, or any other organ/ smooth muscle in that area. I'm definitely losing my navel.

Now in Alcoholics Anonymous, people joked about "contemplating your navel." Generally that was spending too much time thinking about yourself..at a time when you needed to get out and get involved with others. I won't be able to literally "contemplate my navel."
It's nice as a decoration on the abdomen. I guess I'll miss it.

Meanwhile, I'm getting the house in order, preparing for a 4 to 6 week period when I can't lift more than five pounds. How much does my coffee cup weigh?

I've bought several oversize t-shirts to wear (so I don't have to move to much to get into regular clothing. And I'm stacking clothing sets, everything I need to wear for a day in a convenient place so I don't have to make decisions, or dig through several drawers to find underwear, shirt and pants. Anything to make life simpler in three weeks.

Ah, and I'm taking a few selfies of my navel.. so I can remember our good times together.


Comments

Post a Comment

Popular posts from this blog

Research update. Letrezole use for 10 years post breast cancer.

Below is a link to the original article. I realize that links don't live forever, so I've copied the article. I am currently on Letrezole.... and having bone pain. --Although that is something I'll be discussing with the doctor at Friday's appointment. Remember there are no easy answers... so a way to prolong life, also has side effects... pain, and reduced bone density. I'm grateful that I've drank as much milk as I have during the past decades. Hopefully, that will help strengthen my bones during this treatment. This also shows how treatments can cross from one cancer to another. I'm not sure there are any official treatments for my cancer, it is just too rare... so we keep trying new and interesting treatments. Washington Post Article about breast cancer and Letrezole Extending anti-estrogen therapy to 10 years reduces breast-cancer recurrence, new cancers CHICAGO — Researchers said extending hormone therapy to 10 years reduces the risk ...
Read more

After waiting.... more waiting

It's been a long two months since I last wrote. I've been battling fatigue and depression while waiting for a clinical trial to open.  Parts of the problem are physical, lung tumor is pressing against lung, making it harder to breathe.  I've also got a painful cough.  Nights I've been taking fever reducers, then sweating.  This past Monday, I was admitted to the hospital for a clinical trial (I'm very excited). Only the fevers prevent me from starting the trial.  So we've run tests to find if there is an infection.  No.  Virus? No. They're giving me a week's antibiotics, and Advil to keep the fever down.  Next Monday I start the study.  I'm in the hospital basically for the next 3 weeks, Monday through Friday.  (as per research protocol. I'm ready for something to happen....
Read more

Possible scenarios.... outcomes... and preparing for the future.

In the first days of this adventure, I found this TED talk. Baba Shiv talks about giving up the driver's seat TED Talk .  With this rare form of cancer, I choose to listen to my oncologist, and follow her directions.  My goal is to live another 10 years.  My roommate challenged that recently.  His sister has battled a variety of cancers for many years.  She's tenacious, intelligent and currently in remission.  Cancer has become a chronic disease for many.  I don't know.  I don't have the data (until the results are reviewed by my physician) from the latest CT with contrast scan.  I've gathered the old CT scans from other facilities and will be taking them to Moffitt next Tuesday.  Then... well, then we'll have a battle plan.  Overall, I'm working on multiple outcomes.  I need to be prepared.  For example, I'm going through my bookshelves and discarding many books.  Why?  I may be moving to a different home....
Read more