A Few High Fives

As I mentioned, l thought you would get another blog shortly. This one promises to be much shorter.

Yesterday I had my doctor's appointment. Once again Deena offered to drive - I'm sure her car could find it by itself it's been there so much. I enjoy the time to chat and not be concerned. I was nervous for two reasons. One, the results of my liver counts, and two, the usage of the port (it is still very tender to the touch.

The nurse got me all prepped to use the port for my blood workup but right before she put the needle in, she said, "Are you sure you want me to use the port? It's really bruised and I'm afraid l will hurt you." Drawing blood has never been the issue with my veins...just inserting IV's. I told her to do whatever she felt comfortable doing. She chose using my arm instead of the port.

Then we waited for my doctor. She walked in and looked great (she had been on vacation for three weeks) and had a huge smile on her face. I soon learned she had slept for the last three days - trust me with her job I know she needed it. She immediately saw the port in my chest and couldn't believe it. I told her it was my "Miracle Port." I then asked if she wanted to hear how my three weeks were when she was off on vacation. I started with my allergic reaction with the transfusion, the port cancellations, my blood counts, the confusion about my liver, and then finally the successful port procedure (FIRST HIGH FIVE).

She said, "Remind me what's wrong with your liver?" I remembered that she was on vacation. I reminded her about her note in my charts regarding my high liver counts and not to proceed with chemo until the counts lowered. She then searched all through my chart to find the note. It was actually kind of funny to me. She found her note and then looked at my current counts. They were back to normal. Yeah! (SECOND HIGH FIVE).

She then asked me if they mentioned her other note on the paper. She told me she had written the change in my cancer/tumor markers. She excitedly (not sure if that's actually a word - but it sounds really good) that my markers had gone down 50%. (THIRD HIGH FIVE).

My doctor normally examines my back, but never looks at the wound because she doesn't do well with open incisions, etc. I normally make sure I have her assistant look at it in-between my appointments at the wound center. When my doctor told me she wanted to look at the wound I was really surprised. She said my back and the wound were looking really good. The chemo was killing the cancer on the back, and the wound was looking better because it's had a break from the chemo. (FOURTH HIGH FIVE).

I was waiting for my doctor to tell me I was cleared for chemo but instead she asked me if I wanted another weeks break? I asked if I could afford to take a week off. I didn't want the cancer to flare up again. She said I could afford a week. I said, "Okay, then I will take a week." (FIFTH HIGH FIVE).

It felt like it was the first really good news I've received in almost a year. Instead of another high five my doctor gave me a big hug.

I couldn't wait to get home to give Jim and the kids my GREAT news!!