The End of a Crazy Week

So some people have been asking me how I knew something was wrong with my stomach.  Basically I have been losing weight and I was not really putting much effort into it.  Those of you who know me know I’ve always had a…umm let’s call it a “healthy” appetite and it shrank tremendously.  I thought it was all due to the stress of losing my job and being out of work, then nursing school, taking the boards, trying to find a job.  I truly thought that I had an ulcer.  I’ve been seeing my primary off and on about it since the end of the summer; they put me on prilosec thinking it was maybe acid reflux or something.  Pain started to get really bad in November so I made a call to the Drs. and I was told to double up on the prilosec. At this time I also made and appt to see a GI specialist, unfortunately the earliest they could see me was 01/18/11.  Went to my primary again on 12/22/10 and she thought it would be a good idea for me to get and endoscopy before I went to see the GI Dr. so that I had something to show him.  Well it just so happened that the same GI Dr. I was scheduled to see on 01/18/11 was available the very next day for the endoscopy (12/23) so I had it done then.  He immediately knew something was wrong when he saw the inside of my stomach, did some biopsies and also had me sent down for an abdominal cat scan the same day.  I did not have my follow up appt with him until after Christmas and then we had a snow storm and my appt was cancelled so I did not get the news until 12/29/10. 

Today I am wrapping up one freaking nutso week that’s for sure.  Left the house at 6:30 am today to go to MGH with my Auntie Ann.  Had the echocardiogram so that the Oncologist one, knows my heart can handle the chemo-cocktail mix he has planned for me and two, to have a baseline for future echos due to nasty side effects from the chemo.  Checked out the “Images” salon to get some info on wigs...which just seems so odd to me, it’s going to be strange to have to wear a wig.  I suppose I don’t have to wear a wig but we’ll see.  I’m thinking if I do either going to have long blond or red hair for a change.

Ann and I had some time to spare between appointments so we visited the Tranquility Garden they have at the hospital which was beautiful and so peaceful…I’m sure it will be even more amazing once the weather gets warmer.  It is on the 8^th floor and over looks the Charles River.  I’m sure it will be a nice retreat in-between future appointments. 

A little bit after noon time I went to get my “power port”, which I think kind of qualifies me to be in some sort of super hero classification.  I even got a special card to put on my key chain and one to carry in my wallet to notify others of my status.  Truth is I need this port so they don’t blow out my veins with the chemo medicine.  They don’t sedate you completely and I think I was awake half the time and the other half just resting my eyes.  I knew I was a bit out of it because I kept thinking I was seeing spiders crawling all over the place.  I didn’t think I was in there for too long but according to Ann it took two hours. 

This is probably a good time for me to warn those of you who have offered to come to appointments with me about the down time.  Hopefully I’ll be able to schedule my appointments better in the future.  I had a total of 5 this week but managed to only have to go in town 3 times so that is good but again there is a LOT of down time and a LOT of waiting around.  My poor sisters sat around for hours this week with me and Ann did the same thing today.  Of course I LOVE the company but don’t say I didn’t warn you. 

Next week is the follow-up with the Oncologist and the week 1 of 9 of my Chemo treatments.  Sorry this post is so long but I’m hoping to not post for a few days and just enjoy time with the family, and hopefully some friends, this weekend. 

Thank you all so much for all the prayers and love and support you’ve been sending my way.  I honestly believe that it makes a huge difference.  It feels strange to be on the receiving end of so much goodness, but it is wonderful.