Promising news

The GYN looked at the CT.  He really believes this is a fluid-filled cyst and not ovarian cancer - even with the marker elevated.

He ordered a second, different blood test for ovarian cancer just to check, but his plans are to drain the cyst, then using the laparoscope remove it and then probably the left ovary and most of the uterus leaving the cervix as long as the pap smear is clear.

So now I am headed to my cardio doc for the heart approval and EKG.  Then I will see this doctor again on the 10th of October.  Please continue if you will.

Frustration

So my lab work was on the 14th.  The results STILL are not posted - so I called the oncologist's office.  I waited until today because he is only in the office on Tuesdays.  I didn't want to play phone tag again.

Guess what - I got the same recorded message I usually get.  Talk about disgusted.  I really am ready to change oncologists.  If he wants to be a part-time doctor good, but I want a full time one.

To cut to the chase, two hours later they called me back.  The CA-125 is high and "indicates" ovarian cancer and I am to have it removed.  I wanted to vomit.  So, like a normal person these days I resorted to the internet.  Mine is 229.9.  There were people posting who had values in the thousands that didn't have cancer.  There were also people under 100 who did.  So it is still a crap shoot.

My appointment with the GYN is tomorrow morning.  Finally.  I really believe this thing is what is causing my extreme back pain.  From reading, they can.  If that is the case I can't wait to have it removed ASAP!  Couple that back pain on the right with arthritis that means I should have a shoulder replacement on the right - sleeping is a problem.

So tomorrow hopefully more answers.  But I really am seriously thinking about a new oncologist.  I have my eye injection tomorrow and the oncologist/hematologist G is now seeing (because my oncologist/hematologist that he WAS seeing couldn't be reached when he had his DVT and was in the hospital) is right around the corner from the Retinal office.  I am going to talk to them in person.

Waiting, waiting, waiting.

Waiting for the lab to post my recent blood work, but I should know better.

I was a week ahead of thinking when I would see the GYN.  I have gotten to where time means almost nothing to me.  I usually don't know the date - it pretty much is irrelevant to me.  So when I made the appointment - I was a week ahead.  But that is actually a good thing.

When I made the appointment for the blood test - I chose the location because I wanted to do it correctly - fasting.  (G and I have a disagreement about this - he doesn't believe fasting it a necessity for the metabolic panel and I have always done it that way). 

When I got there, check in was with a machine that read the driver's license.  New, but ok!  It confirmed I had a 9:30 appointment that was 13 minutes away.  The waiting room was, of course, packed.

The technician came to the door and called Karen Unintelligible.  Twice.  I really didn't understand her and thought it was way early.  She came back and called it again.  I didn't want to make an ass of myself by getting up to respond to the wrong name.

I sat there and finally went to the window.  Sure enough, it was for me, and I was marked as a "walk out."  The lady at the desk was so soft-spoken and the waiting room was loud.  Crying baby, TV, etc.  So I stood on tippy-toes to get my head in as far as I could.

My buttock muscles do not do this often.  I could feel the pull.  So I am beginning to hurt.  AND she couldn't find the doctor's information.  He had sent the orders via email - on a hospital request form that had none of his information on it.  It took a good 15 minutes.  My muscles were screaming.

I got taken back for the collection.  I wondered why this cute, shy girl followed.  Then after the phlebotomist found the vein, she asked that girl if she was ready to do the collection.  Since I ONLY have procedures done in the left arm to avoid a problem on the right because of the mastectomy all those years ago, I was a little worried.  Alas - it went well!

I was told the results would be to my doctor by Monday morning.  Nope.  I knew that was false.  This lab never gets the results out that quickly - ever.  Here we are today and still no results posted.

So it's good I was a week ahead!  Hopefully I can take the recent results with me to the GYN - NEXT WEDNESDAY!

Boo

I always thought my being here was pretty much a secret - especially from family.  Nope.

I have been found.  My granddaughter, looking for pictures of herself, found me!

Katie - what you read here is now between you and me.  And this place is a secret from everyone else in the family!

And the urologist said

He showed me the CT.  Yes - I have a cyst.  Looks to be fluid filled.  Now sit down for this part because I almost fell off the chair.  The thing is 16 cm.  That is about 6 1/2 inches.

G asked when I had my last pelvic.  It was a while.  I know - that's bad.  But I just procrastinated.

Now the urologist said since it wasn't solid, that is good.  He can't say for sure, but because it isn't solid it probably isn't cancer.

My OB/GYN is retiring at the end of the year, and his office staff are horrible.  So I decided I would go to a new one.  I didn't want to fight with the old ones to get in ASAP.  So I called one highly recommended - who is close to being a neighbor!  I see him next Wednesday.  I told them all the specifics including (since I made sure he is in the same hospital setting) the CT being done. 

Doing further research on postmenopausal ovarian cysts - doing the blood test is normal.  It doesn't necessarily mean there is cancer even though this shows the cancer antibodies that would be produced.  So that part is normal.

So we will see.  I know there is a surgery in my near future.  Labs tomorrow - results hopefully by Wednesday!!

So far - NOT so good

I had the CT today.  The results are back.  And it doesn't look really good.

The oncologist, who is one of three doctors interested in these results, called.  Well, his nurse called because he is only in the office one day a week - and that was yesterday.  The results show a large ovarian cyst on the right side.  He wants me to have a specific blood test - the CA 125. 

I am used to these tests.  With my breast cancer, I have had the CA 27.29 for years.  These tests show "markers" that tumors release.  There are limits that are considered OK.  So I am to have that done - probably on Friday.

But I have an appointment with the urologist tomorrow morning.  I will tell him what the oncologist has said and we will go from there.

The oncologist also said I need to now bring in the OB/GYN.  This thing - whatever it turns out to really be - has to be dealt with.

So you know what I know now.

Update

The scan is set for next week.  That was in case there was the IV dye was to be injected.  It was not ordered that way, and the Oncologist office has just been in touch again -but had to leave a message.  The wonderful hospital that was has been sold to a terrible hospital chain who is only interested in the bottom line - not patient care.  They finalized the sale Sept.1 and began laying off people Sept. 1  This was a hospital owned by the doctors and they wanted a very nice hospital.  Guess they are all retirement age and decided to cash out.  It is where I had my mastectomy done eleven years ago.

Yesterday I was worked in to see the urologist the nephrologist wanted me to see.  He confirmed something is pressing on the ureter and urine is backing up into the kidney.  The "who, what, when, and where" will be more determined by the Cat scan.  I will see him the day following the procedure.

He asked if I had been having pain.  With my disintegrating back, no.  I have had pain in that area for thirty years.  It was worse, but I had not gotten a cortisone injection to ease my sciatica, etc in over a year.  I just attributed the pain to all that.  When you get old with your various aches and pains, new ones don't necessarily tip off a problem.  If that were the case, I should see a doctor almost daily!

Seeing this doctor made me happy that all of my doctors are in the professional building associated with the hospital and that I have had the diagnostic testing done there.  I was supposed to pick up the ultrasound from the nephrologist (whose office was next door).  The nephrologist had "pulled some strings" to get me my appointment yesterday.  They had a cancellation over the weekend and I got in.  I left a little early to stop by the nephrologist to get the paperwork and to my surprise THEY WERE CLOSED!!!  They didn't tell me they were closing early and they knew what time I had gotten the appointment!  I was really quite upset.  I was feeling that my meeting with the urologist would not be nearly as productive as I had hoped because he wouldn't have that part of the puzzle.

When he came in, I told him my plight.  He gave me a rather coy smile and said he had the results!  Since this is his main hospital for practice - he can get all records like this!  So that is why I will see him the day after the CT.  He will have those results. 

So in the meantime, I have called the oncologist to make sure (after the nephrologist told me to) that the kidneys are going to be included and that there will be no IV dye used - only oral.  I have been a little put out with my oncologist.  It seems he has become part-time - only having office hours on Tuesdays.  And HE didn't call me with the results of the ultrasound. 

G had a deep blood clot a couple of months ago (DVT) and had seen this doctor for hematology.  The hospital couldn't reach the doctor when he went to the ER.  So he now has another hematologist who is also an oncologist.  I have considered "switching horses in mid-stream" here!

If this turns out to be another cancer, I may go to the world-famous cancer hospital here - M.D. Anderson.  They have cutting-edge technology.  I am afraid that will be a necessity.

Thank you

You offering prayers is so appreciated.

Sitting here waiting for Labor Day holiday to be over is really harder than I expected.  I have been searching Google for answers - like any good technophile would be doing.

I really don't like what I find and am fervently hoping I am wrong.

My right side is the side that has been affected for over forty years with sciatica and other spine problems.  Now, in my worry, I wonder if I have been feeling kidney pain that has added to my discomfort.  It seems like the pains there are worse, but I attributed it to not having PT nor a cortisone injection in several months - actually over a year.

The mind runs wild at times like this. 

The shock is wearing off

In July, I had my yearly oncologist appointment.  He always calls for blood work - to check the level of the cancer enzyme (?) and the complete metabolic panel.  My kidney function is off.  He sent me for an echo of the kidneys.  He thought there could be some shrinkage.  Never heard the results.

I then had my semi-annual cardiologist appointment. I took him the lab results.  He said it didn't look too bad, and referred me to a nephrologist.

I saw the nephrologist yesterday.  Cutting to the chase she is referring me to a urologist because (and here is the kicker of it all) there is a MASS in my right abdomen that may be pressing on the ureter causing urine to back up into the kidney causing the results I am getting.

I was in shock yesterday.  I was really rather numb.  Today I called the urologist.  He is taking over another practice and can't see me until the end of September.  The nephrologist wants me seen quickly.  I called her office for another referral.  Crickets can be heard at this point.

I called the oncologist.  He is only in the office on Tuesdays.  I called the appointment line to explain what I should do since I never heard a word from him.  THEY got through to a Tiffany - whoever that is.  She FINALLY called back.  He wants me to have a cat scan.  The orders will be faxed over on Tuesday, and I will be called.

It is hitting me.  I may be facing cancer again.  My mind is running rampant.  Could it be (hopefully) a cyst?  Could it just be a mass - fat (that would be something).  Or could it be ovarian cancer?  Am I facing chemo and radiation again - and how advanced is it?  Is that the reason my back has been hurting more than usual?

What I feared was kidney disease and thought I might be facing dialysis has now turned into something that may be far worse.  The numbers DO say it is stage 3 kidney disease, but that might be something that is reversible - once this mass isn't pressing on the ureter.  But it may be so much worse.


I am in a state of panic.  If you can - say a little prayer.

A little drama

Yes - a little drama in the family.  Actually, it is a little more serious than just drama.

Katie is having surgery as I type this.  She has a torn labrum in her right shoulder.  That could stop her career in water polo if it isn't repaired.  Fortunately, they won't be "opening" the shoulder - just arthroscopic surgery.  But this does stop part of her swimming competition.  She loves to do the butterfly and is great - but that is over.

She needs this surgery done as quickly as possible.  Colleges are really talking to her.  She will be going to two schools for a visit in New York in September.  I really am hoping she chooses Maris.  I think she would love that school.  But in reality, I think she is still looking at UC Santa Barbara lovingly.

The other thing, DIL has been in school (with three kids) for nursing.  She went because her dad promised he would pay for her schooling.  He can be a jerk. He and her mom divorced many years ago, and he had tried to put a wedge between her and her mother.  So things haven't always been close between DIL and dad.  That changed when the first grandchild came.

But he has remarried.  He is older than the new wifey.  They had another child - who is a senior in high school  New wifey is the one who is grousing about the money going to DIL. This after her son (from a previous relationship has been put through school - and they will probably pay a good part of the upcoming wedding.  New wife - who also was put through nursing school and became a nurse practitioner on the dad's money - keeps saying he wants to retire.  Well - they have money.  Lots of money.  They can most certainly pay for my DIL.  I told her I would somehow help if it came down to it.  It will be a good investment for the future and not a waste of my (little) money.

So things have been a little full of drama around here last night and today.  But hopefully Katie is almost out of surgery right now and DIL just texted me that this semester's tuition has been paid.  All is good right now.

And he did

We arrived at the SSB.  Our "wonderful" neighbor had placed a metal rod across our cattle guard - blocking our entry and chained and locked our gate.  I so wish I had unlimited funds.  I would take him to court in a heartbeat.  I did send an email to the entire community, who were gearing up to man a booth at a local event.  They were having great difficulty finding people to work that booth - especially in this Texas heat.  I said there were going to be nine of us, and we could have come into town to help, but instead, we would be road building because of that moron's actions.

My BIL called to offer help to us., Yeah.  He and that man are fairly fast friends - if you can call it that.  They are, in reality, using one another.  BIL to get help on his place, and neighbor to keep his place in the community.

But with the help of my son, my SIL, and grandson we have our new road.  It is unfortunate though.  It goes right by my deceased SIL's house.  I really hate that, but her ex has been very generous about allowing it.

We will see

I am not one who wears their Christianity on my sleeve.  I don't usually talk about how, when and what I pray for, but I will right now.  I have been fervently praying for the ability to forgive that creature (not a good start I guess) that is next to the SSB.  Forgiveness is undoubtedly THE singular most difficult thing for me.  Do a (perceived at least) wrong, and I cannot get past it.

So to get to the point, we head out tomorrow.  Tomorrow is also the day he has threatened to begin to close off out access to our property.  I am nervous about what we will find.  Will he have already closed off out road - probably.  It would be just like him.

SIL will also be coming tomorrow, and son and his family will be there Friday.

We are going to work on the "new" road regardless.  It should be lots of "fun" working in high 90 degree temperatures. 

I really AM trying to be a good Christian here.  I really am trying to turn the cheek.  But it is so difficult.  I still hope karma will step in.  Can't help it.

Hmmm

Guess the last post was quite a negative sounding one.  I AM in a negative mood - but not directed at that family.  All of this was long ago, and things that happened to them are tragic.  My son has fully forgiven the kids of that family, and I am following suit.  I still think they did bad things, but I guess they really didn't know better.

I AM furious with our neighbor at the SSB.  He is an outsider in acres of family-owned land.  People in that community historically (and rightly we are finding) shun "outsiders."  We, along with another relative who has since passed, helped them integrate into the community.

But this thing has turned on his neighbors.  It all started with the nephew of the other neighbor who helped whose land abuts his.  It is all over the road we all use that is on Z's property.  Z wants to cancel all easement.  That leaves properties landlocked.

The nephew has spent lots of money to fight Z.  He has a totally legal, recorded easement.  We are not so lucky.  Ours is an add-on to my MIL's property and it is the track we inherited.  It was bought from "nephew's" father who was in a bind to sell - at the same time he sold to Z.  Unfortunately the old folks did things on a handshake.  Our easement wasn't recorded at the courthouse. 

On July 12, after much wrangling, but without actually filing suit against him to stop him because we don't want to spend all of our retirement money, he is going to dam off our access to our property.  The law states since we have been using this road as easement, it is our right, but he will not recognize.  If he were going to take nephew as far as he did when his was recorded, we just won't fight that far.  We can get in through his late sister's property.

Am I waiting for karma for Z?  Absolutely.  He is evil.  He has property in another area, and no one will have anything to do with him - all over the same issue.  He is a jerk.

So I guess I should "turn the other cheek" and all that, but I most assuredly am not anywhere near that yet - and probably never will be.  So bad on me, I guess.

Karma

There are some who don't believe in it.  There are some who think it is just purely fiction. But then, something happens and makes you a believer.

This is the background here.  We had a neighbor who had children the same ages as mine.  She was a witch.  Honestly, she was.  Her daughter and mine were the same age, and one of her sons was the same age as mine.

One year when her daughter had her birthday party, she invited the girl next door.  This next door neighbor and my daughter were fast friends.  BUT she did not invite my daughter.  Needless to say, my daughter was crushed.

Then when my daughter was in Girl Scouts, this woman was one of the co-leaders.  When Krissi came home from a scout meeting one day, she had a bruise on the top of her shoulder (almost nect0  When I asked her what happened, she told me this woman grabbed her and squeezed.  I SO wish I had taken severe action then.  Today if that happened, she would be charged with assault on a child.  I seethed over that for years.

Her sons were bullies.  One day when the boys were getting off the bus, they pulled mine down onto the ground by his backpack.  When we went to their house to confront this particular incident, the parents could care in the least about it.  They also locked him in a playhouse for a long period.  They were just mean nasty kids.

The first time karma hit this family was the father who died early from cancer.  The latest karma I just learned today.  The mother has had Alzeheimers for five years, and she is pretty advanced.

I am not rejoicing nor have I ever rejoiced in the pain this family has endured. Neither of these things would I wish on anyone.  But it does tend to make me wonder.

Results

They lost one game.  It was the pivotal game though.  It meant they placed third.  So while they didn't win state - they did place higher than before.  It was fourth before.

AND as usual, she made the All-state team, but not MVP.

As it turned out, it was all for the best we weren't there.  Yesterday was a terrible day for my arthritis.  I was pretty miserable all day.  I woke to lots of pain in my back and shoulder, so navigating about would have been pretty miserable.

As it goes - "all's well that ends (mostly) well."

THIS is Katie

This was on one of our local stations last night.  She is really Grandma's girl - right down to what she wants to major in when she goes off to college!  Proud doesn't cover it!  They have won both of their games so far at the state tournament, and we have great hopes.  Guess there are two more to go



/http://cw39.com/2018/05/04/class-acts-katie-gill-has-the-power-in-water-polo/


She cleans up well also

More info

Some have said I should go anyway.  And really I could.  But there are some other factors in my decision.

The playoffs will be at the University of Texas Natatorium.  I know this facility - well.  J have been there many times for other water polo events she has been in.  I love the natatorium.  It is the second best of the ones where these large events are held.

But knowing this facility as well as I do is part of my decision.  Austin, being on the edge of the Texas hill country is, well hilly.  The University is huge and there is constant building on campus.  The campus is limited in space being surrounded by the city.

When I was there last, a new structure was being constructed taking up the parking lot that has the handicapped parking for the natatorium.  The number of spaces was small to begin with, and now I don't know how many are left.  There is a large multi-story parking garage across the street.  But that means crossing the street and climbing the hill to get into the natatorium.  My back doesn't allow that.

So with that uncertainty,  I made my decision.  My daughter even said that there were just too many unknowns that still exist even though we know the facility.  This is simply the largest thing to be in that natatorium for us. 

My daughter will live-stream the events, and since we home with unlimited internet access, I can log on and follow the actions!  I can follow what happens. 

I would like to be there - but I also know my limits. This one is beyond my limits.  G is doing well and he isn't the reason I am not going.  If something were to happen, we have a great EMS here - and because he was a paramedic with them years ago, we are still family and don't have to pay for ambulance transports.  It would be all good.  I am really ok with it all.  I had doubts about me being able to do everything well.

Life throws curve balls sometimes

When we were at the SSB week before last, G cut the grass that has begun to grow again.  Since it makes a "nice" snakey environment we are especially vigilant about keeping the grass (what a euphemism for weeds) cut close.  Our hunter who has constructed the new "cabin" ( a beautiful two bedroom HOUSE) does his part - he has done so much more clearing of this acre!  But I digress.

He began complaining about his right calf hurting and was thinking it was a muscle strain.  He put the heating pad on it, and that would help.  But the pain was still there.  This was on the 21st.

The leg continued to ache - like a muscle strain would do.  On Wednesday I told him I thought it was a DVT (deep vein thrombosis).  Of course, I was deemed to not know what I was talking about.  This irritates the h*ll out of me - I get dismissed all the time.  Well - while showering on Thursday night, he noticed the calf was swollen. 

When he got up on Friday he went to the Mayo Clinic site on the computer, and guess what - it said the same thing.  AND on Friday morning, the calf had reddened.

He made an appointment with the doctor and when the PA came in, she remarked on the swelling.  He was instructed to go to the ER.  When we were waiting to be seen I told him he wouldn't be leaving - like he thought he would.

To cut to the chase, they did a doppler.  Guess what - yep, a DVT.  So he went (finally) into a room.

That evening they did a CT, and there was a small embolus in the right lung.  So rather than sending him home on the oral blood thinner (can't spell it and am waiting for it to be filled), he was to stay, in bed only, and get an injection of a blood thinner (that sounds like love nox).  He will take the oral med for six months.

He was there until Sunday afternoon.

So with this new development, we won't be going to the state water polo tournament.  I am sure this year Katie's team will sweep the competition and win state, and she will be MVP, and we won't see it.  Yes - this makes me sad.  But life keeps telling us that we just THINK we are in control!!

Later I will describe the events of Sunday.  It was just a complete comedy of errors!

PROUD Grandma!

I know I have talked water polo and my granddaughter before.  Well - here I go again!

Water polo isn't a big sport in Texas - but it is growing.  Our players are growing in number and many are being recruited by colleges that are big in the sport.

This weekend was the Regional Tournament to determine seeds for the state tournament.  I thought Katie's team would do well.  Their first game wasn't too big of a threat, but the second should have been the game that would determine number one and number two seeds.  They won.

Then for the finals, they played a school that, while becoming a good team, isn't that much of a threat.  SO they are number one headed to state.  Now if they can beat the Denton, Texas team - they will be the best team in Texas.

As if that wasn't enough to cheer about - Katie was named MVP!  Many have said she is one of the best players in Texas - but this is an honor that somehow always misses her.  I am so proud.

I seldom add pictures - but this time I have to do just that!!

                                       The team - she is the bottom row - second from right

Katie!

Latest happenings

THE EYE!  It is continuing to improve.  I am beginning to get to the end of the drops.  Next week I will be down to one drop per day.  And I am really happy about that!  Now I am ready for her to do the vision exam so I can get the lens in my glasses changed and perhaps see out of that eye.

My vision in that eye will never be normal because that eye is no longer normal.  Back in 2000 when it was finally discovered that I had an aneurysm, it was treated with a laser, but the retina is now distorted.  The doctor at the time was amazed that I have the vision I have.  So I am not expecting crystal clear nondistorted vision.  It will always be sort of like a funhouse mirror. 


OLDEST CHILD ILL!  My oldest - you know the 73-year-old male, has a cold.  He thinks he is going to die.  When he speaks, it is a low mumble.  I almost wish I were the one with the cold.  We are on day three, so the symptoms should be subsiding soon - I hope.

That's what is happening around this place.  Some good, some not so good!