Went to the oncologist today hoping to get my cancer staging diagnosis and the "plan". Well, that happened, sort of.
The PETscan showed the cancer was localized but wasn't conclusive to show if the lymph node was involved as well. The MRI of the neck done on Saturday was to provide that clue. Unfortunately, the oncologist hadn't received that report yet. Now mind you, I had a brain MRI done at the same time and she received the brain MRI report, just not the all important one for the neck. --Oh, in case you are wondering, the brain MRI was normal, or as normal as I'll ever be!
Bottom line is, we caught the cancer early. Because it is an aggressive form of cancer, the treatment will be aggressive. Three doses of chemotherapy spaced three weeks apart, radiation five days a week for seven to eight weeks. And they have changed the prognosis of no hair loss to possible hair loss. Sigh.
If my health insurance carrier gets their act together with all the approvals, we should start the chemo and radiation on Thursday. I hope the approvals come through. While I am dreading the pain they tell me I will be in, I do want to get going with the treatment. If I could have started treatment the day I was told I had cancer, I would have done so. Waiting adds to the stress.
Speaking of stress, I have a few theories on ways to reduce stress using creativity. I will be blogging about my theories and personal experiences in putting my theories into action as I go through this Cancer whirlwind. If you are interested in stress reduction through creativity, visit: WWW.unleashbliss.com.
Monday, June 16, 2014
Saturday, June 14, 2014
Just a Sore Throat
The sore throats started in August 2013. Scratchy nuisances that had me wondering if I was coming done with a cold or if an air-born irritant could be to blame. The sore throat progressed and I went to an urgent care facility where they did a strep test. It was negative, but since a post-nasal drip had begun they gave me an antibiotic and called it a sinus infection.
The sore throat improved, but didn't go away. Since I have an health plan that allowed me to see a specialist without a referral, I set up an appointment with an ENT, Dr. Peter Kaiser.
Dr. Kaiser did an laryngoscopy of my throat. He saw a white spot straight back in my mouth that looked like a sore, the type you would get on the roof of your mouth when you eat something too hot and burn yourself. He ordered a CT scan and a barium swallow scan to see if there was anything else since my throat pain extended to the juncture of my head and neck. Both of those tests were negative for anything concerning. Dr. Kaiser prescribed a steroid to shrink the swollen tissues and a nasal spray to help control the post nasal drip to give the sore spot an opportunity to heal. I went back a couple of months later for a laryngoscopy recheck. The white sore at the back of my mouth was gone, but I was still suffering from sporadic sore throats and sometimes earaches. Dr. Kaiser suggested allergy testing. I didn't think it was allergy based and since it was almost Christmas I put off allergy testing.
By February 2014 the sore throats were back on an almost daily basis along with earaches. I did an Internet search on chronic sore throats and found several articles about acid reflux, particularly LPR, or silent reflux as a possible cause. I knew I had GERD, I was already taking an acid pump inhibitor medicine, and the symptoms matched, so I started on a low acid diet, eliminating carbonated beverages, citrus, tomatoes, onions etcetera from my diet and started buying water that had a higher PH value, like Evian and Fiji water. These steps did relieve the worst of the pain, but did not make it go away. In March I made an appointment with my gastroenterologist. This gentleman doubled my dose of medicine and said to come back in August. Needless to say, I was less than happy with this doctor's approach.
By April the sore throats were 24/7 and were accompanied by an earache in my left ear. I suffered through it since the change in diet did help reduce the pain but by mid May I had had enough. I went back to Dr. Kaiser. He did another laryngoscopy and this time saw some bumps on the root of my tongue and on my left tonsil. He said I should have these biopsied.
May 30th the biopsies were taken. On June 9th at 3:30 pm I received the results: the tonsil tumor was benign. The base of the tongue showed basaloid squamous cell carcinoma.
Medical literature on the Internet says basaloid squamous cell carcinoma (BSCC) is an aggressive form of squamous cell carcinoma (SCC). Causes are generally tobacco, alcohol, or HPV.
That diagnosis was like entering a whirlwind. Wednesday, June 11th I met my oncologist and radiologist, both dynamic women (more on them as this blog continues). Thursday was a PETscan, Friday a mask was made to hold my head rigid in place during radiation, and today I will have an MRI of the head and neck. Monday, June 16th I will meet with my oncologist to learn the battle plan.
And so it begins.
The sore throat improved, but didn't go away. Since I have an health plan that allowed me to see a specialist without a referral, I set up an appointment with an ENT, Dr. Peter Kaiser.
Dr. Kaiser did an laryngoscopy of my throat. He saw a white spot straight back in my mouth that looked like a sore, the type you would get on the roof of your mouth when you eat something too hot and burn yourself. He ordered a CT scan and a barium swallow scan to see if there was anything else since my throat pain extended to the juncture of my head and neck. Both of those tests were negative for anything concerning. Dr. Kaiser prescribed a steroid to shrink the swollen tissues and a nasal spray to help control the post nasal drip to give the sore spot an opportunity to heal. I went back a couple of months later for a laryngoscopy recheck. The white sore at the back of my mouth was gone, but I was still suffering from sporadic sore throats and sometimes earaches. Dr. Kaiser suggested allergy testing. I didn't think it was allergy based and since it was almost Christmas I put off allergy testing.
By February 2014 the sore throats were back on an almost daily basis along with earaches. I did an Internet search on chronic sore throats and found several articles about acid reflux, particularly LPR, or silent reflux as a possible cause. I knew I had GERD, I was already taking an acid pump inhibitor medicine, and the symptoms matched, so I started on a low acid diet, eliminating carbonated beverages, citrus, tomatoes, onions etcetera from my diet and started buying water that had a higher PH value, like Evian and Fiji water. These steps did relieve the worst of the pain, but did not make it go away. In March I made an appointment with my gastroenterologist. This gentleman doubled my dose of medicine and said to come back in August. Needless to say, I was less than happy with this doctor's approach.
By April the sore throats were 24/7 and were accompanied by an earache in my left ear. I suffered through it since the change in diet did help reduce the pain but by mid May I had had enough. I went back to Dr. Kaiser. He did another laryngoscopy and this time saw some bumps on the root of my tongue and on my left tonsil. He said I should have these biopsied.
May 30th the biopsies were taken. On June 9th at 3:30 pm I received the results: the tonsil tumor was benign. The base of the tongue showed basaloid squamous cell carcinoma.
Medical literature on the Internet says basaloid squamous cell carcinoma (BSCC) is an aggressive form of squamous cell carcinoma (SCC). Causes are generally tobacco, alcohol, or HPV.
That diagnosis was like entering a whirlwind. Wednesday, June 11th I met my oncologist and radiologist, both dynamic women (more on them as this blog continues). Thursday was a PETscan, Friday a mask was made to hold my head rigid in place during radiation, and today I will have an MRI of the head and neck. Monday, June 16th I will meet with my oncologist to learn the battle plan.
And so it begins.
Friday, June 13, 2014
New Direction for this Blog
When I created this blog in 2009, I had grand ideas of what I was going to do with it. It was just one of many directions I was going in as I was unemployed and trying to find myself. And thereby lay the problem, not the unemployment, but the too many directions, too many projects. So the blog idea never got off the ground.
Until now -- 2014
This blog will be my cancer journey blog to share with family and friends and anyone who needs to understand this cancer journey.
Until now -- 2014
This blog will be my cancer journey blog to share with family and friends and anyone who needs to understand this cancer journey.
Friday, June 5, 2009
Coaching Group Reunion
In February I signed up for a coaching group called "Mastermind Coaching" facilitated by Arlene Rosenberg. We met every other week for 12 weeks as a group and on the off weeks in sub groups. We were eight individuals coming together from different industries, life styles and circumstances -- the self-employed looking to get through the recession, entrepreneurs, would be entrepreneurs, the unemployed (me), and the frustrated at work employed. Under Arlene's guidance we explored where we are now and where do we want to be. What is our vision?
Last night five of the group were able to get together for a dinner reunion and an update on what has happened since out last meeting six weeks ago.
While our lives have progressed -- for some on the paths discussed in the sessions, for others in different directions -- what struck me was the sense of certainty within the group, a sense of being centered. The challenges we each face haven't gone away, though for some they have changed. If you had asked me when the sessions were finished what I got out of the group, I would have spouted off some personal benefits, but I would have missed the core truth. What we came away with is belief in ourselves no matter where life takes us.
The dinner was fun, entertaining, and enlightening. We decided to have another reunion dinner in August, hopefully with all of the alums. I'm looking forward to it.
Last night five of the group were able to get together for a dinner reunion and an update on what has happened since out last meeting six weeks ago.
While our lives have progressed -- for some on the paths discussed in the sessions, for others in different directions -- what struck me was the sense of certainty within the group, a sense of being centered. The challenges we each face haven't gone away, though for some they have changed. If you had asked me when the sessions were finished what I got out of the group, I would have spouted off some personal benefits, but I would have missed the core truth. What we came away with is belief in ourselves no matter where life takes us.
The dinner was fun, entertaining, and enlightening. We decided to have another reunion dinner in August, hopefully with all of the alums. I'm looking forward to it.
Monday, June 1, 2009
Teen Texting
Over the weekend I read several articles on teen texting with opinions ranging from it's dangerous to forget it, it's teens being teens.
When my youngest daughter was in high school, few kids had cell phones. They carried pagers, and they had a language of number codes for what they said to each other. That was eight years ago.
Today teens have cell phones and text constantly. And when they are not texting through their phone they are instant messaging each other on the computer. I don't find texting particularly harmful, what I object to is the context in which it is done. So I have set a few rules for Ken's niece who lives with us.
No texting at the dinner table
No texting while we are talking to her
No texting in class
This last rule was originally on the honor system and woefully ignored. First only a little (she swore it was an emergency), growing to 80 to 100 in and out text messages during school hours. Those emergencies multiply like rabbits, you know.
Since her having a phone was a reward for consistently going to school and getting there on time -- something that did not occur when she lived with her grandparents, we did not want to take it completely away. My solution was to change her phone service to one with parental controls. I blocked texting from occurring doing school hours. And you know, a funny thing happened after I did that. Her grades went up.
My take on texting? I'm on the side of it's not dangerous, it's teens being teens. However, it's up to us as parents and guardians to lay down the context rules, and then enforce them.
When my youngest daughter was in high school, few kids had cell phones. They carried pagers, and they had a language of number codes for what they said to each other. That was eight years ago.
Today teens have cell phones and text constantly. And when they are not texting through their phone they are instant messaging each other on the computer. I don't find texting particularly harmful, what I object to is the context in which it is done. So I have set a few rules for Ken's niece who lives with us.
No texting at the dinner table
No texting while we are talking to her
No texting in class
This last rule was originally on the honor system and woefully ignored. First only a little (she swore it was an emergency), growing to 80 to 100 in and out text messages during school hours. Those emergencies multiply like rabbits, you know.
Since her having a phone was a reward for consistently going to school and getting there on time -- something that did not occur when she lived with her grandparents, we did not want to take it completely away. My solution was to change her phone service to one with parental controls. I blocked texting from occurring doing school hours. And you know, a funny thing happened after I did that. Her grades went up.
My take on texting? I'm on the side of it's not dangerous, it's teens being teens. However, it's up to us as parents and guardians to lay down the context rules, and then enforce them.
Tuesday, May 26, 2009
Trials of Buying a New HVAC Unit
I live in the desert and three months of triple digit temperatures are coming. My air conditioning unit is 23 years old. The unit is still working; however, when you look at it you can't help wonder how long it can keep going. So, when I received an advertisement in the mail for a new HVAC unit with a manufacturer's rebate, an electric company rebate and advice that I could get up to $1500 in a federal tax credit next year, I thought it was time to look into a new unit. I made an appointment for an estimate.
Now, here is where I have to admit I am an impulse buyer, particularly if I like the seller and they seem honest to me. This trait has led to some disappointments and frustrations in the past when big ticket items were purchased. Consequently, my family made me PROMISE to wait 24 hours before I commit to purchasing anything.
Last week I had a salesman come to my house to give me an estimate on a new installed HVAC unit. I liked the gentleman and felt he was dealing honestly with me. He went through all the numbers with the various rebates and credits and presented me with a price I thought to be good. I wanted to sign up for it right then; however, I remembered my promise to my family and told the gentleman I would let him know in the morning.
That afternoon I thought it would be a good idea to surf the web to find out more information about energy efficiency rebates and tax credits. Maybe there was something else I should be looking at upgrading in the house.
I found out the tax credit only applied with HVAC units rated 14 SEER and 12 EER. The quote I received was for a 13 SEER unit, 10.8 EER. No tax credit for that size system. OUCH!
I contacted the gentleman, he said he thought I was wrong and he would get back to me. Within the hour he called to apologize, he had been wrong. His company has offered me partial compensation for the error through additional yearly maintenance rebates. I have called other companies for quotes.
And I have to listen to my family say: "Told you so." Sigh.
Now, here is where I have to admit I am an impulse buyer, particularly if I like the seller and they seem honest to me. This trait has led to some disappointments and frustrations in the past when big ticket items were purchased. Consequently, my family made me PROMISE to wait 24 hours before I commit to purchasing anything.
Last week I had a salesman come to my house to give me an estimate on a new installed HVAC unit. I liked the gentleman and felt he was dealing honestly with me. He went through all the numbers with the various rebates and credits and presented me with a price I thought to be good. I wanted to sign up for it right then; however, I remembered my promise to my family and told the gentleman I would let him know in the morning.
That afternoon I thought it would be a good idea to surf the web to find out more information about energy efficiency rebates and tax credits. Maybe there was something else I should be looking at upgrading in the house.
I found out the tax credit only applied with HVAC units rated 14 SEER and 12 EER. The quote I received was for a 13 SEER unit, 10.8 EER. No tax credit for that size system. OUCH!
I contacted the gentleman, he said he thought I was wrong and he would get back to me. Within the hour he called to apologize, he had been wrong. His company has offered me partial compensation for the error through additional yearly maintenance rebates. I have called other companies for quotes.
And I have to listen to my family say: "Told you so." Sigh.
Friday, May 22, 2009
Hold Your Horses!
I have a mental file cabinet filled with cliches. Cliches like: "You can lead a horse to water, but you can't make him drink" and "You're barking up the wrong tree." There are hundreds of others.
I learned these cliches as I was growing up in the same fashion as I learned to speak. They are part of my rich vocabulary. Too much a part! Sometimes I have blurted out one of these gems with embarrassing consequences, like when I am in a business meeting with individuals whose native language is not English. Somehow my polished argument loses its gloss when cliches are thrown in.
The same is true in writing, though the types of cliches are different. They are written redundancies that have achieved common usage. Here are some examples:
the reason was because - the word "because" is sufficient
on account of the fact that - see above
free gift - a gift should be free!
few in number - doesn't few imply a number?
circular in shape - doesn't circular imply a shape?
disappear from sight - what else are you going to disappear from?
in my opinion I think - isn't your opinion what you think?
Grammarians refer to these as tautologies or pleonisms. To me, these are redundancies that have achieved cliche status in common writing. Edit them for polished writing.
I learned these cliches as I was growing up in the same fashion as I learned to speak. They are part of my rich vocabulary. Too much a part! Sometimes I have blurted out one of these gems with embarrassing consequences, like when I am in a business meeting with individuals whose native language is not English. Somehow my polished argument loses its gloss when cliches are thrown in.
The same is true in writing, though the types of cliches are different. They are written redundancies that have achieved common usage. Here are some examples:
the reason was because - the word "because" is sufficient
on account of the fact that - see above
free gift - a gift should be free!
few in number - doesn't few imply a number?
circular in shape - doesn't circular imply a shape?
disappear from sight - what else are you going to disappear from?
in my opinion I think - isn't your opinion what you think?
Grammarians refer to these as tautologies or pleonisms. To me, these are redundancies that have achieved cliche status in common writing. Edit them for polished writing.
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