Today was the short day of appointments here at Mayo. I first had a CT scan of the chest area. They like to keep an eye on that because this sarcoma like to metastasize in that area. The CT looked good with no real change from the last one done at Mayo so that was good to hear.
Then I did a check in with the radiation oncologist to see how I have been feeling and also to look at the thigh to see if there is any skin changes. There is a little spot that looked red and that is the area that is almost like a burning sensation at times. So putting the lotion on as they advised definitely helped not have any adverse reactions.
After that was the thigh MRI. That went fine, although it takes a longer time than the CT does. And all the clanging and bumping makes it that you can’t even sneak in a little cat name. And then every once in awhile there is a bump that kind of startles you. The MRI is really not for someone that would be claustrophobic because the “tube” is pretty snug around you. That closeness does not bother me, thankfully. Mayo is different than other places that do MRIs in that they do not let you listen to music while it is going on. You get ear plugs and headphones but no sound. They felt that people would tend to “dance” if they listen to music and they need the patient to be still. The results came in and they indicated that actually the tumor had grown slightly. :-(. That was a disappointment! Not really significant, instead of the 9 cm it was now 11 cm. Was hoping that the radiation would have the opposite effect. We meet with the surgeon tomorrow so it will be interesting to hear his thoughts. The RO did tell me that the surgery will probably take “hours” and to be sure to keep up with the pain meds. This does not sound like a same day surgery kind of process!!
But I did try the Quiet Room again today. You probably remember the adventure I had in there the last time. This time I got in there about 11:45 and did not have another appointment until 1:15. Thankfully I got the last recliner!! So again the worry of making sure I would wake up over took me!! So I set an alarm on my phone, but then panicked thinking that it may make a sound. You are not supposed to use cell phones in the quiet, so I trying to work stealthily and quickly. So once the alarm was set, I put it under my sweatshirt so it should be muffled. Then I thought well maybe I won’t have it make any sound, so I turned sound to Off. Put it back under my sweatshirt and then thought if it makes no sound what if I don’t feel the vibration. So I pulled it back out and tried to pick a sound that would not be too noticeable but forgetting that when you choose that sound, it gives you a sample of the sound!!! YIKES!! Thankfully the keeper of the quiet room was on lunch break because I soon envisioned that I would be hauled out of there for violating the no cell phone rule. So I put the phone back into my sweatshirt and wondered with all of this worrying would I even be able to get in a quick nap. I really am a pro at quick little cat naps wherever and whenever especially after the radiation. So I finally drifted out a little and a new person came in to the QR and choose a recliner a few over from me. So I settled in with that new member in our room and started to really relax. It was maybe 5 minutes and wouldn’t you know it that new member was a snorer!!!! And what a snorer she was. She and the guy from the last time could team up for championship snoring competitions. It was now 12:45, so I gave up, turned off the alarm and waited a few minutes and just let.
I would definitely try the Quiet Room again…it is really kind of a little comedy show, listening and watching what people do once they fall in to a slight sleep. I convinced myself I would only succumb to a cat nap hoping to prevent my own snoring scenario.
Tomorrow is a big day with 6 appointments. We do get to meet the surgeon so I am hoping to get more of the gorey details of this surgery adventure. I actually do not find out what time the surgery is scheduled until tomorrow night.
Jackie and the boys came to visit tonight and it was such a nice distraction. We made some Christmas treats and had spaghetti for supper. Those boys just can make you laugh. They actually really tired me out that I ended up heading to bed at 8.
Well, tomorrow will be an interesting day.
Take care and enjoy your best self!
Dandy Ventures 