Saturday, November 08, 2008
New Record
My last tap (on election day) managed to suck out 3.6 liters of fluid from my belly, a personal record. I have been scheduled for weekly taps so I have the option of canceling if I feel like I don't need one.
I had the head of the unit performing the procedure again. I can't say it was pleasant, but at least the only part that hurt was the administration of the numbing agent.
I have decided for now not to go with a permanent drain. The prospect of never being able to have a bath or go into a pool or hot tub (or the ocean) again isn't something I want to take on right now, particularly since Brian and I are planning to take a trip to Traverse City during the holidays, and our hotel room will have a jacuzzi.
In other news, I am waiting for an MRI that is to take place Tuesday evening at 10:40. I am not particularly troubled by small spaces and actually tend to fall asleep inside the torpedo tube. The purpose of the MRI is to determine why I have pain in my left hip--whether the femur or pelvis is fractured or what. The ex-ray was inconclusive. So I am walking with a cane for right now to keep weight off of my leg and am taking some slightly more hefty pain medications than just ibuprofen.
It wasn't just the pain meds that made me imagine Barack Obama won the election, right? It really did happen? Woohoo!
I have said for a while now that I would love to see a woman or a black candidate become president of the United States. I am pleased that not only do we have a historic situation as a black man is now president-elect, but he is well-reasoned, inspires hope, and has fired the imagination of Americans like no one in politics has in a long time. My hope is that he will be able to use the good will and capital he seems to have among other nations to help make the world a more peaceful place.
I am less sanguine about this country's economic situation and think it will take more years than he will have as president to recover from whatever this is--recession? self-adustment? depression? aberration? consequences of irresponsible de-regulation? But I can hope.
Yes, I've got an abundance of hope. And enough stubbornness to think that I may get to see the recovery for myself.
I had the head of the unit performing the procedure again. I can't say it was pleasant, but at least the only part that hurt was the administration of the numbing agent.
I have decided for now not to go with a permanent drain. The prospect of never being able to have a bath or go into a pool or hot tub (or the ocean) again isn't something I want to take on right now, particularly since Brian and I are planning to take a trip to Traverse City during the holidays, and our hotel room will have a jacuzzi.
In other news, I am waiting for an MRI that is to take place Tuesday evening at 10:40. I am not particularly troubled by small spaces and actually tend to fall asleep inside the torpedo tube. The purpose of the MRI is to determine why I have pain in my left hip--whether the femur or pelvis is fractured or what. The ex-ray was inconclusive. So I am walking with a cane for right now to keep weight off of my leg and am taking some slightly more hefty pain medications than just ibuprofen.
It wasn't just the pain meds that made me imagine Barack Obama won the election, right? It really did happen? Woohoo!
I have said for a while now that I would love to see a woman or a black candidate become president of the United States. I am pleased that not only do we have a historic situation as a black man is now president-elect, but he is well-reasoned, inspires hope, and has fired the imagination of Americans like no one in politics has in a long time. My hope is that he will be able to use the good will and capital he seems to have among other nations to help make the world a more peaceful place.
I am less sanguine about this country's economic situation and think it will take more years than he will have as president to recover from whatever this is--recession? self-adustment? depression? aberration? consequences of irresponsible de-regulation? But I can hope.
Yes, I've got an abundance of hope. And enough stubbornness to think that I may get to see the recovery for myself.
Labels: Barack Obama, hip, MRI, paracentesis, ultram
Comments:
Hi Janet,
I am so sorry to hear about your recent experience with your oncologist. I can't imagine anything worse! It boggles the mind how they could tell you there was nothing left that could help when they didn't even review the treatments you had received. That is totally inexcusable!! One would think that before delivering such grave news, they would have reviewed your history and considered all treatment possibilities. I am furious for you!
Although I know U of M has a great reputation, I would follow the recommendations of the others on the YSC Board and get a second opinion. I am told that oncologists expect you to get second opinions at critical treatment junctures, and people do, even where they are really happy with their onc. I would think that at minimum it would help your peace of mind to have someone review your history and come up with treatment suggestions. A fresh eye could help! The second onc may come up with something that your onc didn't think of.
Again, I am so sorry that you were tortured like this.
I will join the YSC Board soon, so I can stop stalking you on your website, but I just wanted to over my sympathy first.
Jill
I am so sorry to hear about your recent experience with your oncologist. I can't imagine anything worse! It boggles the mind how they could tell you there was nothing left that could help when they didn't even review the treatments you had received. That is totally inexcusable!! One would think that before delivering such grave news, they would have reviewed your history and considered all treatment possibilities. I am furious for you!
Although I know U of M has a great reputation, I would follow the recommendations of the others on the YSC Board and get a second opinion. I am told that oncologists expect you to get second opinions at critical treatment junctures, and people do, even where they are really happy with their onc. I would think that at minimum it would help your peace of mind to have someone review your history and come up with treatment suggestions. A fresh eye could help! The second onc may come up with something that your onc didn't think of.
Again, I am so sorry that you were tortured like this.
I will join the YSC Board soon, so I can stop stalking you on your website, but I just wanted to over my sympathy first.
Jill
# posted by 
: 1:09 PM
: 1:09 PM
Wow....your blog really does say a lot about how much of a great person you are. I'm a student at UMD and I can't believe you have to go through all this.
I wish some permanent relief for you would fall from the sky and take away your struggles. I can't believe the way the news was delivered to you. I am angry at them for treating you this way.
I really wish you the best. I agree with the other commenter that you should try getting a second opinion. There's nothing to lose but maybe, just maybe something to gain.
I wish you the best of luck in life. Have a great day!
P.S. You are a very strong person...I admire your strength.
I wish some permanent relief for you would fall from the sky and take away your struggles. I can't believe the way the news was delivered to you. I am angry at them for treating you this way.
I really wish you the best. I agree with the other commenter that you should try getting a second opinion. There's nothing to lose but maybe, just maybe something to gain.
I wish you the best of luck in life. Have a great day!
P.S. You are a very strong person...I admire your strength.
Dear Janet,
I am not sure whether you are checking your blog for comments. But I wanted you to know that I am pulling for you. You also should know how helpful your blog has been to me. I aspire to approach life with bc mets with the same great defiant attitude that you demonstrated in your blog.
Take care,
Jill
I am not sure whether you are checking your blog for comments. But I wanted you to know that I am pulling for you. You also should know how helpful your blog has been to me. I aspire to approach life with bc mets with the same great defiant attitude that you demonstrated in your blog.
Take care,
Jill
# posted by : 12:53 AM
: 12:53 AM
I hope you got to use that jacuzzi suite. I hope in your final days you remembered that you truly lived your life. You are missed.
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# posted by : 9:31 AM
: 9:31 AM 
