Closing time ...Again.

"Every new beginning comes from some other beginnings' end."

That other beginnings' end is chemotherapy. On Monday July 16 I made a trip to MMMC/ the James  (Martha Morehouse Medical Center). The day included a CT Scan, some blood drawn, an MRI and finally a visit with my Oncologist.  

The blood work looked good, all of my numbers were up, the CT Scan and MRI showed nothing. 

The DR. Scheduled another appointment for 8 weeks later, 6 weeks after surgery to remove my bladder - the "new beginning" after the "other beginnings' end."

So what does this new beginning entail? For starters a trip to MMMC for a pre-op assessment, followed by surgery at the James Cancer Center to remove my bladder and reconstruct using my intestines. after surgery comes more time off for recovery, trips to MMMC for follow up and depending on how things go I will be back to work around the first of October. 

Things will not get back to normal when I do return to work, but rather a new normal.  Check back often or click  "follow" to keep up with whats going on. 

RS

Wine and Roses....

Last Wednesday  I attended the funeral for my dads sister Wanda. On my dads side we were close to his brother Dick but not real close to his other siblings.  The last two times I saw my aunt Wanda was at her husband Bill's funeral in 2004 and at her daughter Linda's funeral in 2003.  With some thats how "family reunions" usually happen and usually was the case on my dad's side of the family. She was the last of my dads siblings alive and I found out about her passing because I tend to read the obits. 

Having not seen my aunt for some years I wondered how I would be received. I entered the parlor and was greeted by two ladies who had been taking care of my aunt. Marge, who lived next to my aunt for probably 35 years plus and Mary a high school friend of my cousin Linda. They helped my aunt in many ways, - looking after her, helping her make the move to an assisted living center and finally being with her when she passed. They were very gracious in talking with me and introducing me to people. They  along with a gentleman named Bill Stone made what could have been an awkward situation very pleasant.

There was one thing I found to be unique, We buried my aunt on Wed. July 18th, 2012.  It was on this same date in 1987 that we buried my dad. I usually try to write about my dad on this day, look for a post soon.

The rose in the picture is from my aunts casket, the wine bottle I bought (filled) on my first visit to Germany in 1986.

RS

A random Pic from Costa Rica...

Sometimes you don't know where to start. I think there is some sort of law that when you post on your blog and since this is post just some random thoughts I decided to grab a random picture from a trip to Costa Rica many years ago. 

I gave my nephew a ride to work and had to be up at 5:45 today, I hope to stay awake and maybe get some stuff done around the house.  So far I have cooked breakfast and completed part of a wellness activity online. The wellness activity is something I do to keep my health insurance benefits at a higher level, something I'm thankful for as I see the bills that are being paid at 100% for my chemo.

Yesterday I made a trip to MMMC/ the James, this may sound kind of weird but after not going down last week it was good to get there. As I've shared before I'd been going pretty much once or twice a week for 3 months now, you get to know a lot of people doing this.  Its not just because in a sense my life is in their hands, but they also become a part of your life.  I almost did not get to meet Carley, the lady who has been scheduling all of my x-rays, CT Scans and MRIs, she tracked me down as I was leaving the pavilion.  She said she felt like she knew me and wanted to connect a face with the name. 

Names seem to have always been a problem for me, there are however a lot of faces connected to this journey I'm on.  From the lady in the lobby telling me which window to check in at, the ladies drawing blood and giving me chemo, the DR. deciding on the treatment plan, to the people bringing me snacks and water on the 11th floor.  I may not always remember your name but you are an important part of this. 

As for the DR. visit, he said the CT Scan, MRI showed no changes, and my blood counts are all up where they should be.  I have an appointment after the surgery when the DR. will look at the pathology reports and decide if other treatments will be needed.

RS

I'm OK ....

I'm OK....

Since being diagnosed with Bladder Cancer on April 4th I have traveled to MMMC/ The James at least once a week, many times twice and on one occasion I made 3 trips to Columbus, Ohio in a week. 

2 weeks ago I completed my last cycle of chemo, and last week I went for hydration on Tuesday. This week I have no appointments. No chemo, blood draw, hydration, DR visits, CT Scan, X-ray, MRI, EKG... Nothing. I have said that I should probably call down there just to let them know I'm OK. I still may do that.

Chemo is only part of the journey, and having this week off has been good. Monday it's back to MMMC/The James for a CT Scan, blood draw, MRI and visit with the Oncologist. The following week I go for a pre-op assessment, followed by surgery on Aug, 3rd. 

For now I've got to find a pic to go with this post, look for more later.

R

It's Ok...

It's ok, it's part of the process. No one saw, just Jesus and me.