More than Meets the Eye
I had my brain MRI this morning. Which was nice and uneventful since I woke up and took anti-anxiety meds to avoid claustrophobia, so I was half asleep. This meant I somehow managed not to wiggle everywhere and a change in my tunes had me zonked out. I even managed not to cough with this weird chest bug I got in Philly (that I would totally appreciate going away!). After the appointment my dad and I went to a diner and got some food....
Halfway There
PET-CT was yesterday, results were today. My oncology team is stressed about my stress levels. I don’t have a magic wand. I guess I need to decide if I want to see the psychiatrist, which isn’t really my thing. I almost would like to see how my mood is impacted after we finally do my brain radiation (please let it be SRS, pleeeassse let it be SRS). Stress is bad for cancer treatment and overall wellbeing, so I need to...
Amish Jam
Lately I have been wading in the depths of anxiety and depression that I just don’t know how to get out of. I don’t feel fully myself. Less smiles, less laughs, more grumpy, more tired… I know this is possible side effects of brain mets and heck, side effects of having terminal cancer. Life is more enjoyable when you can actively enjoy it. I have good moments and I have bad moments and I want to find my way back into...
Burning Man-di
Lately I have been working on #TheMandiList. Beyond checking items off, I have also been deciding on what items I want/should add (I would love to make it a fun list that people challenge each other to complete). I ran into a minor snafu on THE BIG ONE this year. Last year it was Europe. I wasn’t going down without completing my dream trip to Europe and we did it! Italy and Greece, the two big places I had always dreamed of...
Shoot
Shoot is the Utah word for sh**. I got my tumor marker today and it is going in the wrong direction. I had hoped a Perjeta and Herceptin cocktail added to the Taxotere would really kick the cancer in the nose… Tumor markers usually need to follow a trend to be deemed useful (if they go up, they do it steadily or ongoing). I am due for my PET-CT in a couple of weeks, so that will ultimately be the guide. Mine have historically...
Back to Reality
Nothing like sitting in a chemo chair less than 4 days after snorkeling with beautiful fish in tropical waters for a big dose of reality. Don’t get my wrong, I am grateful that I have a medical team that supports my wild ambitions of traveling and seeing as much of the world and as many beautiful places as I can before my ticking clock decides my time is up. I flew home Tuesday evening. After we loaded onto our plane in Atlanta...