Poppy

Last Monday I saw the urology oncologist who I fired.  He has horrible bedside manner and has never done an exam, although he has charged me as if he has.  Kaycee and my mom were with me at my appointment.  I told him that I wanted to have the stint removed and to have an nephrostomy tube.  He had the nerve to tell me that I have metastatic OVC and that I was eventually going to die.  I practically had to pick up Kaycee's jaw as it hit the floor when she heard that.  Really!  Nurse Pat informed us this week that she will be retiring in October.  This will be a very sad day.  She is sometimes challenged to get blood from my port, but always seems to get it working.

After that decision was made we enjoyed lunch on the patio.  I love this friend of mine.  It's always fun to catch up with her. 

I got my own wheelchair this week.  The pain in my lower back is so intense when I stand or walk.  I was hoping an injection would cure this, however I had it done last Friday and didn't feel any different.  I can't even go on a walk.  I'm in pain to stand to do my hair, put on my makeup and to brush my teeth.  I did have a massage through MSTI which did improve the symptoms for a few days but then the pain returned. 

Monday I got my new back jewelry.  I've named it Poppy the pee bag.  The stent broke when they tried to remove it so today a new urologist removed it.  He was so kind and saw me this morning and did the procedure this evening.  Thankfully I have no more discomfort from the stent!  In fact I feel fabulous Poppy and All! 

Because there is a large tumor surrounding the left kidney, they had to place the nephrostomy tube in the top of the kidney by going through the lower ribs.  This has caused some drainage from the chest cavity, which I've had to go back and forth to the hospital to get it stitched and taken care of.  We spent more time in and out of the hospital and Dr.s offices since I've been home.  Hoping for a break.  One day that I was getting things worked out, we ran into Dr. C.  I sure love her!  She was my surgeon when I was first diagnosed.

We've also spent the last few weekends watching Gavin play baseball.  He's getting pretty good at this sport.  It's been a little chilly and rainy here, not how I like starting my Summer. 

The kids came home this past weekend for Father's Day.  It's always fun to be home together.  Mom needed groceries for when the kids came home, so she put me in a cart at the super market, because I haven't been able to stand without pain.

Spokane

I flew to Spokane on Wednesday to visit my sister Tristen and her family and to watch my beautiful nieces in their dance recital which was absolutely adorable.  It was a Mary Poppins theme and one of the best dance recitals I've ever seen.  We actually watched it twice, because one was in the first performance and one was in the second.  I had fun putting together this candy bouquet!

Tristen lives by a beautiful poppy field, so on the way to the airport and after our naps, we stopped for some pictures.

Shaved Ice Super Sunday

1.  If you have forgotten, let me remind you that I love shaved ice and the sun.  So when you put them together, it makes for the greatest day!  Twice this week I spent the afternoon in the Sondrups pool and after eating shaved ice.  Remember in the Fall when I won a $300 gift certificate from Amazon?  Well, I finally used it on this amazing shaved ice machine.  It's seriously the real deal!  If I'm not already the favorite aunt, I'll surely be when I bring it home next week!

2.  I had an MRI on Thursday and Dr. D called me a few hours later with the results.  We finally have an answer to the back pain, which actually was shown on the MRI last year, but it's worse this time around.  And it's totally non cancer related, well it sounds like it, but I'm sure the chemo and radiation have helped cause it.  I have a narrowing in the spine between L5-S1 which is making me crazy.  I seriously can't do anything without pain...that is until yesterday.  Since learning of this news I've been doing specific stretches daily; basically Dr. D said I needed to go to physical therapy, but I can do my own, plus I went to one in February.  Yesterday I went and had a massage at the massage school.  The guy was totally new, but did a fantastic job.  And for the first time in literally 6 months, I can lay on my back without pain.  I even tested it today again when I took my nap.  No pain with laying on my back, side or abdomen, well maybe just ever so slightly during my nap.  And I can even stand a little longer than the 2 minutes it takes to brush my teeth, even though I totally have to lean into the sink to take the pain away a little.  Spinal Stenosis is actually an old persons disease, but it makes since, since my body feels like I'm at least 80.  I considered not taking pain meds today and I've actually only taken 1, but I'm pretty sure the massage, prayer and the stretching have been my answer.  I'm probably going to get a steroid injection with the hopes that it takes all of the pain away.  If the pain continues, there is always the option of a little surgery, but hopefully that won't be needed.

3.  I actually called Dr. Dan's nurse earlier this week and told her I needed a prescription for a wheel chair.  I mean, I will be traveling a lot this summer and I certainly haven't been able to stand long, let alone walk.  But after a steroid injection, I just might be back to my normal...well that is if I didn't have this stent pain.
4.  Speaking of traveling; I've booked an Alaskan Cruise for mom, dad and I and also a trip to see the Boston Red Sox play on the East Coast and to visit Philadelphia, which I've never been to.  I'm leaving this week to go to Tristens in Spokane, then to Boise for the stent exchange, (this stent is going to be the death of me.  Although I did read this week that I they can do reconstruction on it, take out the tumor and the stricture and then I'd be good as new.  I just have to find someone who can do it.)  Then it's off to Marne's Beach house in Seattle and then back to Boise.  Oh, and lets not forget my return to visit Martha's Vineyard the end of August for a week of beach fun with my MVY friends!  So many places to see and only so many Summer Days!
5.  Have you read, 1000 White Women?  I'm reading it as the start to my Summer reading program and it's so good!  I have a stack of books to read this Summer and a few lists to read in my lifetime.  There are so many good books, that when I'm reading one that isn't so good, I've learned to stop reading it and not waste my time on a bad read. Oh, summer reading how I love thee!
6.  I had a lovely lunch date with my girlfriends this week!  Even though I still can't eat much, I still enjoy a lunch date.

Disneyland Yes, Again

Last week we went to Disneyland, Tony, Erin, Mom and I.  It was for only 3 days, but what a fun 3 days it was.  My friend and OVC buddy met us there.  We both needed wheelchairs.  I'm over the everyone is judging me phase.  It works, so that's what we have to do.  We so much enjoyed Pixar Fest!  The food, the rides, the shopping all add up for a wonderful time!