Chemo Day Four and More

Soo, on August 23, I went to UPMC. I must say the the experience wasn't overly all that impressive. We valet parked our car, only to find out when we picked it up it was 5 bucks. Then why did they need us to validate it...stupid! (WVU cancer center is free valet, yo!) We checked in with the volunteer and she took us up to our floor and said the next step. That was nice.  All of the checkin process was good and quick. We were taken to our room where we sat for way over an hour. No one else came to check in with us. Then finally the resident came in to take my history (did they not get that in the huge packet of info my nure sent up?.) He left and said Dr T would be in shortly. A "short" twenty" minutes later in came back in with the resident. Dr T. seemed kinda pompous and wanting to take over my case, which didn't really impress me.  The only other thing he mentioned was explained by Dr Mo later. That was that IF the fluid in my lung was cancerous, they would remove it(the fluid) and replace it with antibiotic.

So, mainly my parents and i left major unimpressed. Later we had heard other stories of issues with UPMC. So, i must say WVU cancer center is definitely my cancer"home."  I feel like they generally care and are very positive.

So, onto Thursday...Chemo day.  I went in for blood work at 7:30 AM, Ugh.  They had issues drawing blood from my port, big boo. So, after trying multiple positions, the put in some TPA in my port to help break down the possible clot that lurks inside. I decided to let them multi task and we put in an IV to do the blood draw and to use for the Chemo. I'm a trooper like that. Unfortunately, it took the third vein before they sucesslully got the blood drawn. The appointment with Dr Mo went well. Linda, the nurse, came into say hi, since Joan was on vaca. Dr Mo went over our next plan of attack.

Sept. 6- I wil get some of the fluid from my lung removed to see whether it's cancerous. If it is not, they will plan to remove my lung.

Along with Chemo 5 I will have another PET scan. 

After all of that since my cancer isn't in fact curable, I will have a maintainance chemo drug for probably the rest of my exitance. Which brings me to another reason i love Dr Mo. He never uses words like "terminal" or deadly".

So, here I am in in you arms, Lord. Trusting you whole heartedly. Please help turn my mind off at night as it seems to like to race at night for some reason.  I love you, Jesus!

That's where it's at. Lung removal scary, but not so much when in the arms of Jesus.

I hope everyone has a great weekend!! I'll probably be resting, as I usually do the weekend the weekend after Chemo. I firmly believe it helps this body heal.

Much love and thankfulness to you all!

K*

so sleepy!

I've found myself very sleepy this time round.

I thought I would let you know what is in store for next week!

Tuesday- I head to Pittsburgh, Pa to the University of Pittsburgh Medical Center ( I should probably wear a WVU shirt right??) to get my 2nd,  really 3rd, opinion.)  Dr Mo works closely and shares notes with the doctor I am seeing up there, Dr T.  Dr Mo is looking forward to seeing what opinions and all Dr T has to share with him about my case.  Personally, I think he just wants to share his medical anomaly with him. I am pretty sure I've mentioned this before, but Dr Mo has only seen one other case similar to mine.  A 28 y/o male non smoker.

Thursday- I have bloodwork at 7:30 am ( WTH?), appointment with Dr Mo, then round 4 of Chemotherapy.

In other news, I'm tired more...oh yeah I mentioned that.  Which leads me to my other side effect-no short term memory. Not that I had a great deal before but dang. Much worse than before.  

I did have a lovely visit with some friends from high school last night. Andrea E and Jenny S.. I have had plenty of good times with those ladies, especially in high school!!

Anyhow, I think I'm going to nap or maybe knit.

Love~
K*

The good news!

Well, I guess I won't keep you all waiting! Here is the good news. My right mess of a lung is no longer pushing into my left.  Also, some of the fluid in my lung has been absorbed. I am still going for a second opinion on the 23rd in Pittsburgh, PA at UPMC. (I think my Doc just wants to share his rare medical anomaly)  Sometime after that, they are going to do a simple procedure with a tiny lil needle to remove some fluid from my right lung. IF there are not cancer cells, I will see a surgeon. Then, they may remove my right lung and lymph nodes. Thus, removing the cancer :) 

I also found out that I do NOT qualify for the ALK-1 mutation trial that they have in PA.  

So, my doc is looking forward to hearing what his fellow doctors in Pittsburgh's opinions are on my situation.  Looks like I'll be mentioned in their lil conference meetings in PA too! I am so famous in the medical community!

So, that's what I found out. Exciting, eh. I may someday be Kristi, the one lunged wonder. ooooo

More when I know more....or if I have something to entertain you!

Much appreciation for your love and prayers!

I love you all! You keep my spirits up, ( you know along with the Spirit in the Sky!)

Much Love!

K*

Tomorrow is gonna be a LONG day!!

So in case you didn't catch my pictures post my "Look good, feel good class," here they are:

 

 I think this is the first time I wore "real people" clothes since...well...maybe my last day at work in TN.  It's been mostly super comfy dance/pajama type clothes since then.  Of course none of my old clothes fit and I finally got some new clothes that are comfortable but jeans and tees/tanks instead of  dance/pj's type of clothes. 

Today my Mum and I got our nails done!!  Here are some pics:

You can't really tell but they are purple. I kinda have purple issues lately! I see you!

 Purple sparkly toes!!!

Oh yeah, this blog is supposed to be about tomorrow.  So, tomorrow I have to be at the WVU Cancer Center for a PET scan.  THEN, I have bloodwork, an appointment with Dr Mo, and THEN Chemo!  Sheesh, tomorrow will be EXHAUSTING!  Prayers are appreciated.  This will be my 3rd round of Chemo therapy. 

Hopefully it will all go quickly!

Much Love!

K*

Hi!

Well...not too much is new. I've been tired, but otherwise i can't complain too much.  I have meds to take if I start feeling nauseous, so that's taken care of.  I have an appointment August 23, in Pittsburgh, to get another opinion. My doctor here requested that I go up there.

Otherwise...

• I'm tired a lot.
• Most of the time I don't know what day it is.
• I don't answer my cell. 
• I usually eventually answer texts. 
• The only time I cough is when I lean over. It is a dry cough. ( In case you were wondering)
• I've invented the terms Chemopause and Chemocold
• I've become lightly obsessed with retro tennis shoes.
• I'm super anxious to figure out when my woobie Kristin and my niecee, Noey, are visiting.
• I miss my peeps in Nashville.
• I'm missing items I left behind in TN.
• I'm looking forward to seasons one and two of Blossom arriving.

Most of all I'm thankful.  Thankful for the awesome support, love and prayers of those around the world.  Thank you to those who have sent gifts, cards, balloons, flowers and other trinkets.  They aren't necessary, but are definitely a bright spot in my day.

I must say that I totally feel God working in my life.  Despite the low times I have, most of the time, I find my peace in Him. Trusting and giving it all to Jesus was something I did from day one. It's made a huge deal in my life.  Like I say, I do have my low times, but I'm not afraid to feel.  I own it, Yo!

Overall despite this whole cancer thing:

Much Love!

K*

I know what you are saying...

Two blogs in one day? SAY WHA??? 

So, I kicked some cancer butt today. My power port behaved. When they removed some of stitches in the hospital it released whatever was pulling, causing pain in my arm and hurt when I coughed. (I'm not coughing nearly as much anymore either...YEA!) 

Thanks everyone for your continued prayers, cards and love. I believe truly that it is healing.

Dr Mo discovered he could hear a little air in my rotten potato!!!, a.k.a. my right lung.  Praise you, Jesus!!!  I love my doc and he recommended (has many times) that we get a second opinion at UPMC (University of Pittsburgh Medical Center.) So, we will be going there for another opinion soon. This will include checking out any trials I may be possibly eligible for.

He also mentioned me in at a conference as he has only had one other patient who was young (28/m) non smoker with lung cancer. I'm an important learning experience in the medical world. Booya!

My medical peeps gave me permission to get a mani/pedi!! YEA! So, thats pending tomorrow's itinerary. 

SO, it was a pretty good day!!

Much Love!

K*

P.S. Is it wrong I spent a few minutes looking at Scooter Store  today? I mean they keep saying my insurance will pay for it on the telly. Do you know how frustrating it is when somewhere doesn't have those carts or the battery dies in the back of the store....VERY!!

agenda for the day

1. Starbucks
2. Blood work
3. Visit with Dr Mo
4. Go to infusion center.
5. Kick Cancers @ss!

Love K*