Girls Road Trip

In a few hours I head back up to Stanford. It will be another 8 hour (or so) adventure but this time I'm traveling with Jim's mom Judy and my cousin Kellie.

The cardiologist we met with on April 11th had given me permission to fly, but with the increased swelling and pressure in my arm this week I have no peace about flying. One of the reasons is that this trip does not include having the procedure to open up my blockages - they tried to get me in the schedule, but it just didn't work. Which means there will be another trip up to Stanford next week. I did not feel my arm could tolerate one flight let alone three flights.

I really almost said forget the whole thing because I really don't like to have to travel and here I am choosing a facility hundreds of miles away. The only thing that encouraged me to go was that I have a doctor who has seen this before, he is personal contacting me, and went great lengths I'm told to arrange for two of "his best doctors" to see me. At this point I need someone going to bat for me. He continues to tell me that any treatment decided can be administered down here....possibly at a facility like City of Hope.

Our schedule this week is as follows:
Monday - Therapy at the hospital at 7:30 am (there was no way I could go 6 days with no therapy). Once I get home I pack all of my pillows and bags into Mom's car we head up to Kellie's house. After we load up there we are off to traveling for the day. We plan on arriving before dark.

Tuesday - Meet with the doctor at 3:00 pm who will look at my arm and give us his recommendations for the procedure.

Wednesday - Have the dreaded PET Scan at Noon. Remember...I call this my 3 hour boat ride. I won't be a very good roommate for a few hours afterwards because it completely wipes me out. This time I dread how the nuclear meds will affect my arm. I'm also VERY concerned how I will be able to hold my arm for the 1 hour long scan. I didn't do well with my 10 minute CT Scan. Please keep this specifically in your prayers.

Thursday - Meet with the Oncologist at 9:40 am. I'm not sure if she will have the results of the scan that soon. I'm assuming she will make her recommendations with the pathology reports we currently have.

As soon as we are done there...we are back on the road to return home. I believe the only thing that can change this schedule is if they can fit me into the procedure schedule.

Please pray for our safety and for some well deserved fun (even in the midst of these circumstances) . My cousin Steph and her husband blessed us with some money for gas and gift certificates for dinner. She is so thoughtful. I have packed some fun snacks and Kel has baked some choc. chip cookies...yum!

We are hoping for good direction (on the road, and regarding my health). Pray for wisdom for each doctor. Just pray, pray, and pray.

It will be very difficult to do all of this without Jim but I know I have great company with me and I can rest knowing he is with the kids.

My friend Nancy sent me a verse on Friday (without knowing about our road trip). "So those who went off with heavy hearts will come home laughing, with armloads of blessing." Psalm 126:6 - The Message

I am so ready for some good laughs and blessing (especially for this left arm).

I can hear the giggles now.