My LMS adventure

So I'm in the new place. Boxes everywhere. I'll be doing final touches cleaning the old place, and bringing the cat over here. Right now.... I've got a porch filled with boxes. Need to figure out how to arrange the bedroom... larger than the last, so I'm pulling my favorite pieces into it... I'm debating putting bookcases in the bedroom... They get dusty, and I don't think about dusting them until I move. Maybe set up a monthly reminder? A lot of dust was behind the books... Do you remove the books to dust? or just dust what you see? I currently have bronchitis... maybe from all the dust being stirred up. When handling one piece of furniture, I saw dust on a small ledge at the back of a drawer... Realized that dust could be from before I was born. Seems dramatic? This is a buffet (that's what it's been called in the family...) that was given to my family when I was born... so Mom would have a place to put my baby clothes. It wasn't really appro...

My life is again changing completely. After the last PET scan said I was clear, I got a notice from my management company. I'm moving. Here's part of the financial challenges of single women. I don't have a second income. It's all me. That's why I chose my insurance the way I did. I've got short term disability (haven't been able to make them pay yet.. but I've got it..) I've liquidated assets. I can't borrow money (to buy a place) or rent an apartment (no income, no track record with disability) Moving is also expensive. I need a truck. I can't lift heavy boxes. Fortunately, I can pack my own boxes.. and I have friends who have given my boxes. Slowly, the condo is becoming filled with boxes. By tonight, I want everything packed, except clothing for tomorrow. That means I can start cleaning.. and be ready for the truck... As I clean, I'm finding lots of memories, and dust. The memories are making me cry, the dust is m...

So Monday I got the PET scan results. The cancer is gone from the liver. The CT scan was showing the scar tissue. Basically it's the difference between a black and white and color photograph. The PET scan shows where there's growth... and none showed. My doctor says to go have fun, enjoy... I've got another PET scan scheduled Mid September to see if it has come back. So I walked into the appointment, expecting liver surgery, and walked out with a clean (ish) bill of health. I'm celebrating. (yes, I know, it will probably come back... but right now, it is gone, and I am going to enjoy this time...) Meanwhile, I got notice from my rental's management company that the condo owner wants to move a relative into the condo. I've got until the end of August to find a new place. I had planned on moving, to reduce expenses... Now I need to gather boxes and get used to the fact that I'm going to live. I'm working to increase my activity; I've be...

So that was an interesting appointment. I expected two more rounds of chemo. Instead, I'm getting a PET scan at the end of the week, and a consult with a liver surgeon. Per the CT Scan: lung lesions gone/smaller. Adrenal gland lesion smaller. Liver mets same or slightly larger. So... more testing, and possible liver resection.... depending on the location of the liver lesion. I wasn't expecting surgery as an option. I'll know more in a couple weeks.

For the past 7 months, I've been living with three futures. Until we know how effective the chemotherapy is, my future might be: A. NED (No Evidence of Disease) B. Liver Tumor reduced, but not eliminated, more treatment (chemo, radiation, surgery) necessary. C. Nothing worked, call Hospice. I assume there are other options, but I only need to process three general futures at a time. I've got running lists for each of these. Some overlap (Do short term disability paperwork, apply for disability, write out a will, decide who gets what, and when.) Ultimately, I just need to know if I'll be around for 6 months or 6 years or 16 years. (How much yarn do I need so I don't run out while my hands need to knit...) Here are some of the plans on hold: Where do I live? The current condo is perfect for who I was a year ago. I need a less expensive home, but don't want to move far from Moffitt, if B is the outcome. If A, move to cheaper place, and enjoy. If C, ...

Nice quiet day yesterday, got yarn for a couple baby blankets, started one. But the big news is that today is my CT Scan. I've been waiting for this since January.... Now I find out what is happening inside my body. How's that liver doing? Thinking happy thoughts, does it work? We'll see soon. I also made arrangements to meet friends for lunch on Saturday, so I can give Judy the Pfalzgraff Heritage dishes and accessories. Just need to nail down a time and location. This will be an introduction of my roommate to my friends, so I'm excited to see different areas of my life coming together. Mom comes the following weekend, and results from my CT Scan today will be discussed with Mom, Roommate and Oncologist on Monday, the 20th. Following the usual chemo therapy, I'd have chemo that day, but none is scheduled, I assume because we're waiting for the results. Maybe more, maybe different, maybe no more.... All the questions will be answered soon. Okay, ...

The tradition at some cancer centers is that after the last treatment, the patient rings a bell. There's a ships' bell installed at Moffitt Cancer Center's Infusion Center. Yesterday was the last of the six cycles that were discussed when I first consulted with Dr. Chon. Friday I have a CT scan, to see if these 6 cycles (and a 6 week break) worked. It didn't feel right to ring the bell. Dr. Chon and I have already discussed a possible 2 more cycles, to make up for the "chemo vacation" I took due to the pneumonia. I will ring the bell....even if I have to make a special trip after the Dr. appointment on the 20th, when we review the CT results. 3 Good Things for today: 1. I finished the 6 original cycles. 2. I rescheduled an important phone call. 3. I get to knit today.