Surgery to remove the lymph node is scheduled for next Wednesday, 3/13!! Wanted to get that out right away. Now more details on the surgeon appointment yesterday. What a great ENT doctor. Don’t know if she does non-surgery type appointments, but would definitely recommend her to anyone that needs an ENT. She did show me the scan that shows the enlarged lymph node and yes, there was no question that it was enlarged especially comparing it to the one on the other side where it was not fired up at all. Dr. Rohman (the surgeon) indicated that she felt she would be able to remove the whole lymph node, which would give the specimen that Dr. Chen wants. Chen wanted to get at least a 1x1x1 sample, which is less than the size of Larry. She definitely has the confidence about gettin all of Larry like you would want your surgeon to have. She had said she wanted to get it scheduled within 2 weeks, and next Wednesday fits her request.
The building that this doctor was in, is the 3800 Park Nicollet Building. This was the building that housed the cancer center back when I was having chemo for the lymphoma. Kind of a strange feeling going into that parking ramp and into that building that we visited every 2 weeks in what seems like another life more than 15 years ago. It was a long walk from the parking ramp to the 3800 area, so we decided to use one of the wheelchairs rather than me try to go that long way in the walker. I was very glad that we made that decision because although I would have probably made that long walk it would have been kind of tiring, especially when the leg brace doesn’t always like to stay up. We did ask Dr. Rohman if the leg brace would be a problem with surgery. I told her that I do take the brace off when I sleep, so I can have it off, it is just that my muscles are not quite strong enough to stand on its own. She said they would probably remove it for the procedure and then just make sure that they are cautious of the leg. I have a PT before this surgery, but I don’t think I have progressed enough to move on to a cane. My knee does throb so hopefully the new exercise I am doing is not causing stress to the knee. This journey of healing has really been a hard process. I have definitely seen a good amount of improvement and I do a lot of things on my own that I had not done just 2 weeks ago. But it still feels slow…but as Dr. Houdek said he wanted me to take it slow…and did not want me to think “no pain, no gain”. If I have pain, then it is time to slow down.
I did finish reading a book yesterday that I thought was good…”Sometimes I Lie”…one of those that catches you by surprise as you get closer to the end. A fun, quick read…kind of a psychological thriller. I also completed square/block 16 of the afghan, staying right in pace with the kits that are mailed to me so I am glad that I have not gotten behind at all. These next few weeks will be a lot of appointments, including a trip back to Mayo at the end of the month, so our schedule will be busy. I do enjoy the days that we don’t have to leave the house at all, although in the beginning of the journey that was pretty much every day. So having to leave the house for appointments is with mixed emotions as it does take some extra work for me to get ready and in the car to go somewhere. I am not complaining about having to leave, but the off days are just a day to help relax and catch up with the scheduled appointments. 🙂
Interesting in my daily reading: “Sometimes it through our cracks that the light shines through the brightest!” Just kind of thought provoking…..
Oh, another sad family update. A couple of blogs ago I mentioned our niece that is battling something and is currently undergoing radiation. Yesterday we found out Dick’s daughter-in-law, Amanda (Charlie’s wife) is battling a very, very rare lymphoma…Mantle Cell Lymphoma, Stage 4. The prognosis is challenging, but if you know Amanda she is fighting this head on!! She is also going to Mayo for the treatment since it is so rare, the experts are there. Keep Amanda in your thoughts and prayers! When I messaged her my thoughts, she said that I was her inspiration!!! Can you imagine? The battle she is faced with is gigantic compared to what I am experiencing. Even if the lymph node does show something it is so little compared to her journey. She has beautiful long hair so is cutting that in preparation of chemo. Stem cell treatment will be first…one of many procedures that she will go through over the next weeks. Again please keep her in your thoughts and prayers.
That’s all for today! Find something around you to be thankful for today!
Dandy Ventures 