Can you imagine being diagnosed with a Sarcoma, and living halfway around the world from a friend who can help you to get valuable information to assist you in your quest to survive? Today I would like to honor a man, his family and his friend for enduring their Sarcoma challenges. I have learned it is not just the patient who suffers from the effects of cancer, the loved ones suffer from cancer, too. Guo's sister has provided his medical history in English as well as Chinese. A member of the Chondrosarcoma Support Group has been Guo's Champion helping to research out the facts and the opportunities for his treatment options, as well as translating many articles on Chondrosarcoma into Chinese and keeping the group apprised of his condition. This was all done from 7,000 miles away. Tomorrow I will post the story in Chinese.

Guo, Xiyuan

October 14, 1954 – December 1, 2006

A loving father, caring husband, beloved brother and friend. He had a life, maybe humble, but shining through his big heart. He treated people with sincerity and kindness. His love is still being felt although he is gone.

In 14 months of a lonely and difficult journey, fighting Mesenchymal Chondrosarcoma, there was pain, sorrow, fear, tears, and anger. But, he endured, and battled it courageously with his humor, laughter, strong will and fighting spirit. He never gave up, even in his most difficult final time.

Xiyuan, we know you are at peace now. You will be missed terribly.

Medical History

2004 October: Sometimes felt pain at ankle of right foot. (The tumor may be already there for sometime, maybe months, maybe years, as the symptoms started to show.)

2005 February: A slight limp was noticed on the right side of leg.

May: Started to feel numbness and pain in right leg, told “prolapse of lumbar inter-vertebral disc” like symptoms. With rest, symptoms improved a little bit.

June: X-ray was done and not able to find cause of pelvic problem, some doctors suggested as possible fractured sacrum. Told to rest, pain killers were given, not much improvement.

July: Another doctor suggested to do bone scan for the acetabulum area. He suspected problem with femoral head. In the meantime, no improvement, pain increased, especially at night, needed a crutch to help walking.

September: Severe pain and not able to move right leg, entered into the emergency department of Shenyang China Medical University Hospital. X-ray showed osteolysis at right pelvic bone area. Whole body bone scan showed unusual activities at right femoral head & adjacent pubis, suspected as malignant tumor metastases to bone, suggested to find original tumor, no clear diagnose.

Then transferred to Beijing Dongfang Hospital. small suspicious nodes were found in lungs. diagnosed as, most likely, old tuberculosis scars. Other tests were given, no abnormal. To avoid the risk of pelvic bone fracture, biopsy was done. In the meantime, bone cement was used to reinforce the pelvic bone. Diagnosis was Mesenchymal Malignant Tumor, probably originated from bone or soft tissues.

September 26: biopsy report was sent to Dr Liu Fusheng at Cancer Institute & Hospital Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences. No definite diagnosis due to too much dead cells, only defined as malignant.

September 29: whole body PET/CT scan at Beijing Hospital. Diagnosis: right acetabulum, part of ischium, part of pubis, femur head and part of femur show bone erosion. Malignant. Not abnormal in other locations.

October: transferred to Beijing Ji-shui-tan hospital. Pathology report diagnosed as malignant sarcoma with cartilage tissues. Imaging tests reveal right acetabulum, pubis and ischium bone intensity decreased, bone dissolved; small nodes shown at right lung (suspicious as metastasized to lung). Then, CT and MRI indicate that bone around right acetabulum showed erosion, no clear edge at soft tissue. Doctors decided to do surgery right away. Three possible methods of surgery considered: hemipelvectomy; resection of the tumor, femur head, part of femur and hip bones, leave with flail limb; resection of the tumor, femur head, part of femur and hip bones, replaced with saddle prosthesis.

October 25: the surgery was performed by Dr. Cai Youbo from Beijing Ji-Shui-Tan hospital, Dr. Sun Yuqing, Hao Lin, and Wang Tao were assistants. The operation started from 9:30 AM till 2:00 PM, lasting 4 hour 30 minutes. The tumor, femur head, femur neck and periacetabular bones were taken out, saddle prosthesis was inserted to the defected area as the resection method. The operation incision was from the front, but the biopsy was done from the hip on the back, this left the risk for recurrence. Guo stayed in ICU for 24 hours, recovered well, tubes were taken out gradually. But no rehabilitation guides or program were given from Ji-Shui-Tan hospital.

November 14: Ji-Shui-Tan couldn’t define the tumor type, only defined it as high grade malignant tumor. The resection sample was sent to Dr Liu Fusheng at Cancer Institute & Hospital, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences, he diagnosed it as mid-differentiated Chondrosarcoma in bone and fat tissues, (dead bone cells were present). Dr. Gu Dazhong at Cancer Institute & Hospital Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences prescribed 6 rounds chemotherapy with Adriamycin and Cisplatin. Then, Guo released from Ji-Shui-Tan hospital, went back to home town Shenyang. After which, entered Liaoning Cancer Hospital & Institute.

From 11/15/2005 to February 2006, three rounds chemotherapy, very bad side effects, hair loss, nausea and vomiting, low white and red blood cells.

2006 February: Started rehab exercise

March: started radiation therapy. After several rounds, leg started to swell; the hospital couldn’t diagnose the reasons. Inquired to Chondrosarcoma Support Group. Mary-E, Courtney, and Keith e-mailed back telling their experiences with Lymphadema and this helped to get proper treatment.

April: a small bump showed up at the incision area, and another one in the biopsy area. Radiation therapy shrank the bump at the biopsy area, the bump in the incision area continued to grow. It was suspected as recurrence. At the end of April, received NDV injection (a cancer vaccine) for a month. It was not effective.

May: CT showed a lot of artifacts around saddle prosthesis, couldn’t get clear image. Two small tumors were found in lungs. The hospital had no treatment options and predicted Guo could only live two to three more months. At the same time, Guo made great effort on rehab, could get up from bed with help, walk 50 feet with walker, sit for a couple of hours. But the bump continue to grow.

June-July: enter Liaoning People Hospital bone tumor department. B-ultrasound scan found multiple tumors at incision area. Started high dose multi-drug chemotherapy. High doses Cisplatin and Adriamycin administered, white blood cell counts went down to 100. Then, 4-day Ifosfamide, very bad side effects, nausea, vomiting, hair loss, central neurotoxicity (couldn’t sleep, hallucinations). Then a repeat of Cisplatin and Adriamycin. Low red and white blood cell count, blood transfer and injection drugs to increase white blood counts.

August: Ultrasound scan revealed one 6 cm tumor grew to 9 cm, plus one new tumor was found. But the tumors in lungs didn’t grow. Because of the scan result and side effects, the chemotherapy was stopped.

September to October: stay home, seeking the possibility of hemipelvectomy. No hospital in Shenyang could give clear CT scan and rejected to give MRI due to the saddle prosthesis. In the meantime, took some herb medicine, and over-the-counter Bill Peeples Angiogenesis Inhibitors Cocktail.

November: Bone scan showed two possible metastases locations at left femur and spine. Started to have difficult breathing. Then entered Liaoning Cancer Hospital & Institute again. The lung fluid was drained several times. The last X-ray showed there were a lot of tumors on the lungs.

December 1, 2006

After a difficult journey of fighting with this terrible disease, Guo left this world although he was so reluctant to leave all his loved ones. Finally he is at peace and free of any pain or discomfort.

***

Katsumi arrived early today. Even though I was tired, I was very happy to get out of the house and go for a ride in the car. We went through the backroads that lead down to the beach along the Monterey Bay coastline.

It was great to visit a couple of the local state beaches, get out and walk around in a different environment than my neighborhood or a medical appointment. So refreshing to be among nature. I love the ocean and the huge Eucalyptus trees, even though I have now learned I am allergic to their pollen. I guess I will just have to learn what season they produce, and stay away from them.

We walked on a dirt path. That was a little difficult as it was so uneven. But, Kats helped me. If I was feeling better today, it would have been easier. We took pictures as we went along. We visited Sunset Beach, and walked along the cliff at Manresa Beach, and that about tired us out. Well, tired me out.

Katsumi is a Superman. He can leap tall buildings in a single bound! Okay, well, he can run up thirty steps to another floor in a building carrying a 50 pound package. He is a year older than I and this week he was given an awarded for being the most efficient among his local Fedex employees. The boss lady reminded all the younger ones, that Kats was as old as their grandfathers, and he could work more efficiently than they. I worried about that. Wouldn't they be a little bit annoyed that it was brought to their attention, that this "old guy" could run circles around them? Apparently not. Everyone was happy for him. He amazes me. I wish I had his strength and willpower.

When we got to the cliff overlooking the bay we realized that there was a lovely long staircase leading down to the beach, mostly used by surfers. While Kats ran down and up the stairs, I made my way down to the second landing and back up. I think I was pushing myself a little bit too much. Though I didn't think so at the time. I was so happy to be able to walk UP the stairs without hanging onto the rails, and using my leg muscles to propel me. This evening I am paying for my overdoing it with muscle spasms!

I put some ointment on them and the heating pad. Ice would just make it worse in my opinion.

I didn't keep track of time as we got in and out of the car at several locations. But, it was the best walk of the last couple of weeks!

When faced with Epithelioid Sarcoma what can a husband and father do? How does one cope with this diagnosis? With the treatment options? How does oneleave a legacy for his family, if necessary, without seeking answers on a deeper level?

I spoke with Josh on the phone and realized that his encounter with Epitheliod Sarcoma changed his life in ways he had not foreseen. He created new life out of his situation by sharing his story in a unique way. A way where others can benefit from his experience. Yet, even in the struggle to survive, he and his wife, Kim, brought a new life into this world to add to their Seattle family, as well.

I dedicate today's blog to Josh who wrote the following:

At some point during the thick of my cancer treatments I read Elie Wiesel’s Night. For those not familiar with this harrowing, first-person account of the Nazi genocide, Wiesel spares nothing for the reader of his experience, including the brutal abuse he withstood for being Jewish, the separation of his family at a concentration camp, and the grueling death march that killed his father.

I did not read this to minimize my experience with cancer. No, I was married with a very young family facing re-occurrence of a stubborn cancer called Epithelioid Sarcoma. I would suffer through two different types of chemotherapy treatments, radiation, and ultimately the amputation of my left hand. And still I do not know if I am completely cured of this cancer.

It's been a brutal battle and not something someone in their young 30s starting a family -- or anyone ever -- should have to endure.

So why engross myself in someone else's life and death struggle at the hands of Nazi murderers during this time? I had plenty of distractions and more than enough to do with a four-year-old and a one-year-old. Sure, I garnered a sense of perspective, but everyone weighs life's pains on their own scale of awareness. And I learned of another voice out there recounting mankind’s sad history, of which it is always good to know the travails of our past to understand the dangers of today. But above all else, I felt my own story more.

I became more aware of my surroundings, my feelings, and my time on this earth. I wanted more to survive. And I wanted to share in my own way my own story.

At each step, I wrote in my journal all the details I could recall -- the hospital’s cold industrial smell, the chemo’s bitter backwash taste, the cold buzz of the radiation machine. I called friends I lost touch with, and held my children closer, and listened to them longer. I had conversations with my wife that remain forever imprinted on my soul. And I made a poetic documentary film of my experience called My Left Hand.

This documentary has given me a positive way to focus my energy since treatments have ended. It's now getting accepted into festivals and winning awards.

I don't know if I'm done with cancer, although I've been cancer free for more than two years since my last chemo treatment. Living with uncertainty is something I think every survivor deals with in their own way.

I also don't know if I'd recommend to everyone diagnosed that they should read Night. We all deal with cancer in our own ways and this type of intellectual endeavor intensifies any experience.

However, I would encourage everyone to reflect, be introspective and express themselves. I found a kindred spirit in Elie Wiesel, and sought to share my own story. I found rewards in the expressions of others and in expressing myself, which ranged from the release of emotions to cultivating my own desire to heal and repair the world.

The soul is on fire at different moments of treatment like it never is again. Don't let those moments be forgotten. And when lucid thoughts prevail, dive deep, and let your soul cry out. That is when the beautiful music of our lives is created. I cannot guarantee it will be heard but I do believe it can provide you with a release. And if it is a song for the ages, it can help others better understand their own struggles and give them the inspiration to keep fighting.

Note from Elizabeth:
For another piece of the story, please read more of Josh and Kim's experience with Sarcoma and how it impacted their lives.

***

I didn't post about my walk yesterday. I had been to the Doctor and felt pretty miserable by the time I returned home.


I had just tested positive to every possible thing one can be allergic to on that preliminary skin test they give you. Well, except Pine trees. So, it is perfectly safe for me to sniff Pine tree pollen. But no other.

The picture, by the way, is of a Montery Pine near Big Sur, California.


I'm allergic to my house dust. We all knew that, I have always been "allergic to dusting", but now I have to get serious about eliminating house dust. Okay. Farewell curtains, goodbye fluffy collectibles. I never liked you very much anyways. But, my goosedown comforter and pillows? I guess I can squawk about that a little bit. Okay, they're gone already.

But, my cat? No way am I getting rid of my cat. She has been with me for nearly two decades. Can't I just shave her? She would hate me for that! Wouldn't she? I don't want to ruin a good relationship! I want her to be around for a long time. And I know she cannot do without me, her servant, to meet her every need.

Of course, the doctor reassured me, allergy shots will help build up my immunity to all these things, including my cat. So, yesterday, I had my first injection. By the time I got home, my neck and face were bright red, itchy and burning. I wish they would have given me some of the cream they put on my test spots. Even though I took antihistamines at the doctor's office, it was not enough. So, I took some more at home. So, aside from being miserable about my neck and face being on fire, I was miserable from being drugged out on Antihistamines and they stayed in my body right through today.

Just for the record, I am not be discouraged. I did get a chance to walk yesterday, before I went into my appointment. The county transportation dropped me off almost an hour early! I walked through that medical clinic up one hall and down the other. Why did I walk inside rather than outside? It was a bright sunny day shortly after noon, and I am allergic to the sun. I break out in a rash within about 15 minutes of full exposure. So, that's why the hallway had it's appeal. Plus, the walking surface is flat and padded with carpeting. Okay, so I took the easy way out. Good thing I walked before the medical treatment, though.

In her own words, Jane tells the love story triangulated by Chondrosarcoma. This dedication is for Jane and John and their lovely children who have shared more burdens than the average family. Do they know they are heroes to all whose lives they touch? I hope so.

John and I met at West Chester University in our senior year of college. We were both music education majors (he was voice/piano, I was flute/piano). We started dating in our senior year, and were inseparable from then on. The morning after our first date, I remember sitting at the kitchen table and bursting into tears for no reason, other than I knew I had met the right guy for me, and I didn't want to mess it up! John felt the same about me. We got engaged at graduation, and married the year after that.

We had been happily married for one year when, at age 23, John started developing symptoms that resembled multiple sclerosis. He had numbness and weakness in his legs, and a band of tightness around his chest. He was admitted to the local hospital for tests, and was taken by ambulance to Temple University Hospital where a large mass showed up on the MRI. At our young age, it was hard to believe that John could be seriously ill, but the doctor told us they suspected cancer, and that it was in the worst possible location in terms of surgery. We went into the operation thinking he had a tumor, and wondering whether our days together as husband and wife were at an end after only 17 months.

After the surgery, the doctor at Temple told us John had an enchondroma (benign bone growth) on his spine, most likely caused by the impact from a fall he suffered in the shower the year before. The bone growth had to be removed with dental-like drills, but it was not cancer. We were ecstatic. After that, other than some back pain, off and on, he was fine.

I got a job teaching elementary school music, was active directing four choirs children's and bell choirs at our church, and became principal flute for the North Penn Symphony. John became a classical music consultant, sang for an opera company in Philadelphia, and worked for The Wall music and CDNow. We had two beautiful girls, were busy with family and work activities, and life was generally normal and happy.


Then one morning in 1997, John came downstairs and said, "I think it's back". Even after 16 years, I knew exactly what he meant. He was having the same symptoms he had experienced back in 1983.

We contacted Temple and were referred to a neurosurgeon at the University of Pennsylvania Hospital. The pathology after the surgery was inconclusive, and eventually the surgeons classified the growth as benign.

But the tumor kept coming back, with more cancer components in the biopsies each time. Finally John was diagnosed with a grade 1-2 chondrosarcoma of the thoracic spine. John had six surgeries in Philadelphia. The tumor came back faster each time. He struggled to maintain his career, working while wearing a body brace after surgery, and dragging himself to work using a cane when his legs were so numb he could hardly support his weight.

In 2002, his surgeon, said he could no longer operate. We saw a radiologist who strongly recommended traditional radiation, but told us that John would never walk after that. I remember leaving that appointment to go teach my afternoon classes at school, and feeling like someone had just beaten me up. We had heard about the Proton Beam Radiation program at Massachusetts General in Boston, but the Penn radiologist said it was not intended for someone with John's condition.

However, the doctors at Boston reviewed John's case and came to the conclusion they could help him. He spent 3 1/2 months in Boston in 2002 for surgery and proton radiation. My children were ages 9 and 12 at the time. What was a difficult year!

I taught all week staying home with the girls, while John was separated from us. Then I'd take the train from school on Friday to Boston, a 7 hour ride, and arrive in Boston late Friday night. I'd spend the weekend with John, while various friends or relatives took care of our girls. Then I took the train again Sunday night to come home for school on Monday. When school was out for the summer, the girls and I moved to Boston to stay with John until his treatments were done.

That year John celebrated 5 holidays in Boston (Easter, Memorial Day, our wedding anniversary, 4th of July, Father's Day) and marked the passage of the weeks of radiation by saving the covers from the TV Guide magazine. Our church began a "card ministry" and people sent get-well cards regularly to Boston so John would have mail to look forward to.

John was tumor-free for almost four years. He was re-diagnosed in December 2006 and has had three more surgeries. The tumor came back again in February 2007. He is currently inoperable and trying experimental chemotherapy. At the time that I am writing this, we are unsure if the chemo is working and he is having symptoms of severe spinal cord compression.

Can there be anything good that comes out of an diagnosis like this?

We know that we have been blessed, we just have to look a little harder than most people. Our girls, now 14 and 17, have learned that they are not the center of the universe, that sometimes other people's needs come before their own, and they have learned how to be responsible because sometimes Mom and Dad have other things to deal with. They have grown into hard-working, caring young ladies and we are very proud. My youngest daughter spends a lot of time with John, sitting on the sofa watching golf or chatting about school stuff, at an age where many teenagers don't want to have anything to do with their parents. I know that means the world to John.

We have been on the receiving end of unbelievable acts of kindness and caring. From the mentally-challenged young man in Boston who helped me read the subway signs when I was lost, to the shuttle driver at MGH who told John he was one of the bravest people he had ever met, to the doctors and nurses who worked tirelessly to cure him, to the people who brought us meals, watched our girls, provided transportion, prayed for us, and collected funds to pay for our lodgings in Boston. We have been overwhelmed with the goodness and generosity of the people in our lives.

As for the two of us, I think his first operation so early into our marriage was a grim reminder that life is too short to spend arguing about unimportant matters. We have rarely exchanged a harsh word in the 26 years that we've been married, and we never miss an opportunity to say I love you, or share a hug and kiss. I'd like to think that we have gotten more fun,laughs and love in our 26 years than many people have in 50 years together

I am hoping that we'll have 50 years together, too.

I wish sometimes there was a manual with informative chapters on "the rules of being a caregiver". My methods of coping have gone from "pretending it's not happening" to "becoming a workaholic so I have something else to think about" to "venting to anyone who will listen", to "crying for no reason" to "being numb to everything around me" and finally, to "accepting" that I might lose John someday and there won't be anything I can do about it.

To my endless shame, I have to admit there are days that I want to tell him, "Can't you just be healthy? Can't you do something to make this go away, so we can have normal lives?" But I have learned to forgive myself when this thoughts go through my head, and I have never given John any reason to think his illness has been hard on me. Unfortunately, he knows it already. He sees the times that I am so tired I don't know how I'll get through the next day.

John has asked me, "If you had known, before we were married, that this would be our life together, would you still have married me?" To that question I can emphatically answer "Yes!" It's beyond my comprehension, but God knew what he was doing when he brought us together. We are each other's best friends, and each other's better halves. And on my saddest days, I look at him and think, "Even if I lose him here on earth, we'll see each other again in heaven." My belief in that is unshakeable, and my faith in God's wisdom will go unquestioned.

How can you not love a man who looks at me after 26 years of marriage and says, "You're the most beautiful woman I know?"

Sheri has provided me with her own story to share with you. I dedicate today to this endearing woman who has been the backbone to our Chondrosarcoma Support Group.

It started with a phone call from the doctor saying there was something unusual looking in my scan. My back had hurt me for years, and years. I had injured it at my beauty supply store, and thought all the pain was centered around that. However, in the last couple of years, the pain became excruciating, and disabling. Even on a family cruise, I was forced to stay on the ship due to the pain. Unforeseen family issues caused me to once again put my own health on the back burner (so to speak!) and it wasn't until fall that I finally got the much needed MRI done on my back.

When I received the call stating there was something suspicious looking in my spine, I wasn't really surprised. This much pain had to be caused by something terrible. And terrible, it was. I had my sister-in-law accompany me to the doctor. Upon seeing him, I learned I had Chondrosarcoma. We looked at the images together on the small computer screen, with HUGE implications for my life.

We were told that radiation and chemotherapy were not part of the treatment for this type of cancer and that an operation would be my best hope. Luckily, it was stage one Chondrosarcoma, and very small. Unfortunately, it was lodged in the spinal canal. The only way to get completely rid of it was to cut it out.

Next, I was out to find the best surgeon possible in Northern California and I did. But upon meeting him, I learned that he had never done this type of operation before, and would need to consult with other doctors. He ended up consulting with Johns Hopkins doctors, the Mayo Clinic and a doctor from Korea who had performed this type of surgery before. Of course, my family was now more than worried. With surgery being my only real option, I laid it in the hands of the Lord. What else could I do?

The surgery was invasive, extensive, intense, and long. Basically, they sliced me in half and took out the part of my spine that contained the sarcoma. Then, added in some cadaver bones and from from my hip. They pieced me together with 23 screws and rods! I had become a human “transformer” overnight.

Family members were by my side throughout the 42 days and nights I spent at the hospital.They took turns coming to see me trying to brighten my spirits and bring some normalcy back to my days. As for me, I don't remember hardly anything about the hospital. I was too drugged and delirious with pain to remember much at all. I am thankful that my family was there as they prayed over me and with me.

Coming home was a whole different ball of wax.

One would think that "coming home" would imply one is feeling better and on the mend....STOP! HOLD THE PRESSES!

I began to finally come out of my drug-induced stupor. But, the pain was not gone, In fact, everyday the constant pain was unmanageable. My daughter and her husband moved in with me. God bless them for it. I could not have managed a day without them. My daughter dropped everything in her life to be my sole caretaker, and also took care of my 8 year old granddaughter, who I had been raising without help prior to the surgery. I stayed in the living room in a rented hospital bed for 3 months straight. All the while I tried to maneuver in and out of my "turtle-shell", a hard bulky plastic brace that covered my entire front and back! I was also using a muscle stimulator belt two hours a day. The only times I would get out of bed those first three months was to go to the bathroom. I couldn't bend to wipe, so of course, that was another issue that had to be dealt with. Thank God for inventions!

Six months down the line, I was still in the living room, still in the hospital bed, still in my brace, off and on. However, I could get out of bed an hour or so at a time to sit in a recliner chair. It was the kind that mechanically raises up to stand. My pain was still intense, so my pain medication routine was also. I tried not to waver. Family members were now coming to the house to visit and it was manageable. I always felt helpless. They had to do everything for me and they did it willingly without hesitation. My daughter began to go into work once in awhile and as the months went on, I found myself slowly getting up and around. I could walk farther, stay up longer, and take fewer pain pills.

One year later, I seemed to be doing pretty well. The doctor informed me that I could drive! This was a shock to me as I still didn't feel agile enough to do that. I had been homebound for so long. But I did start going places like small short trips, to my beauty supply store, grocery store, etc. I found that I could make it through one day, even though it would take two days to get over the trip!

As time has passed, I was going more places, and requiring less recovery time. I have been to my lake cabin twice, and stayed overnight three or four nights. I have also moved out of the living room and into my bedroom! Yay! Thank the Lord!

Sixteen months have passed since my operation, and many more since I first learned of the diagnosis, and even more since I suspected something was wrong. It's been a long, trying road to endure, one that at times, I wasn't sure I would be able to continue. However, my family and friends have given me strength when mine wavered. They have stuck by me through it all and done more than I could have ever dreamed.

Recently, I was able go to the movies with my family to see "Evan Almighty". There was a message in it that I think is good for all of Sarcoma Survivors and their loved ones.

“When you pray for courage, God doesn't just give you courage, he provides you with the opportunity to be courageous.”

I am so grateful to have the ability to walk!

***

I downloaded the Weather Channel Desktop. It constantly gives you the temperature, precipitation and forecast for the next ten days. I have set it for Burlington Vermont so I can get an idea of what it might be like when I get there. Lots of rain of varying degrees and high temperatures over 80 degrees, and that's high for me. That combination means humidity and heat index to me. Ugh! I will definitely be needing my rescue inhaler. But, at least I now know to bring a fold-up umbrella, a plastic poncho and an extra pair of shoes. Now that I think of it, probably some mosquito repellant, too. I realize that folks who live in the region will consider this normal and in some cases, good weather.

But, I am spoiled by living in a temperate climate that is unfamiliar with humidity, except when the fog rolls in to embrace the redwood trees. And when it does, the temperature is not hot. The summers are hot and dry.

To be fair, I must admit that those who live in the east coast region of the US, might find it a bit uncomfortable living here. Probably the weather wouldn't be a problem. Those who love thunderstorms would miss it, as I do. I am originally from Western New York, and also lived in the midwest - tornado alley. So, I love storms.

I think the one thing most would not like about living here would be that this is Earthquake Country.

I had just walked out the door to go for my walk, and came back in to get my sunglasses when it happened. Earthquake. Not so big as to throw things off the shelves, but enough to make me head for the doorway and brace myself. Gotta have a strong pelvis, spine and legs for that, ha ha! I figured it was a 3 on the Richter scale. So, I waited to see if there were going to be more to come. Two more within about 15 minutes time. I went to look in the computer on my favorite quake watching site. Epicenter is a very short distance from me, next town over, in a rural area.


Finally! I headed out the door with my Ipod. I don't have a copy of Jerry Lee Lewis and Whole Lotta Shakin' Goin On, but that would be redundant. Wouldn't it?

I headed up to the levee. It is a dirt track about 10 - 12 feet wide, I guess. It is sad to see the condition of the Pajaro "river", if one could call it that. Still there were a lot of interesting plants and birds around. The wind was a little stronger up there and I could feel it more with no houses or trees to protect me. I wish I had worn a sweat shirt!

I'm glad I had my ear phones to keep me warm. I listened to one of my favorite Japanese artists, Chiharu Matsuyama. Then, on the way home, listened to the very mellow, Michael Hoppe, Afterglow which was perfect while the sun set into the fog.

I returned home to learn there had been a 5.1 quake further north along the coastline, out to sea. I never felt it.

As I headed out for my walk today, it seemed so forlorn sitting there. My 87 Dodge sits in the driveway collecting dust and maybe it is just a little bit jealous that I am not driving in it anymore. Maybe I ought to go sit inside for an hour or so, just so it wont feel so neglected.

I realize how much dependence I have had on that car. And I sorely miss it's availability. It used to carry me many places I cannot get to on foot. I can't say I am adjusting well. I miss the ocean views and the mountain scenery and the redwood trees.
When I was a child, I lived in one of the most scenic tourist spots in the world. So, I was raised with the expectations that one's surroundings were not to be anything less than spectacular. I have to be honest. Watsonville does not meet that criteria.

It's a nice town, but it is not Niagara Falls, and not Santa Cruz, or Monterey California. If I can work up my walking skills more, than maybe I can get to the more scenic areas outside of town past the levee, where the agriculture begins.


Yet, today a half hour walk was all I could handle. I do what I can, push a little more, have a set back, and start over again. Listening to my body keeps me going. It has been a pretty reliable barometer for me all these years, so I respect it's messages.

Paul had surgery in July 2002 for a grade II chondrosarcoma on his rib,in the back close to his spine, the chest wall. He recovered well from surgery. Thoroughly investigating his options he was surprised to learn the limitations of Sarcoma treatments. As most people do, Paul thought he would have chemo, plus radiation. He asked about this and was told Surgery was it, and in his more aggressive kind of Chondrosarcoma, some radiation was in order.

Then Paul underwent IMRT radiotherapy. The doctor decided to conclude 13 radiotherapy treatments with two further weeks of "Paraspinal radiation", a technique that involves very specific positioning of the body, and then "locking" the body in place, so that a higher dose of radiation can be given than normal, but still preserving the integrity of the spinal cord.

Paul's radiologist said his results with this method are comparable to success of proton beam therapy for chondrosarcomas.He had been using this
procedure treating 6 chondrosarcoma patients, with favourable results in all cases.

Still, Paul felt uneasy. How can someone have cancer and not need Chemotherapy? Was he just believing in a myth? Why would a cancer be so rare as to not need Chemotherapy.

Paul decided to go for a second opinion. He wanted to do everything he possibly could in order to get rid of the cancer once and for all. So, he researched his options and found the two most prominent sarcoma medical oncologists in the country:


Dr Robert Maki / Memorial Sloan Kettering

Dr Gerald Rosen / St Vincents CC

Neither doctor thought chemo was appropriate in Paul's case, as his tumor was a "conventional" chondrosarcoma and not one of the subtypes such as mesenchymal, myxoid,dedifferentiated, etc. Dr Rosen is known as and described himself to Paul as an "aggressive" chemotherapist, and clearly instilled in Paul's mind that he did chemo was appropriate in his case, even though he had treated subtypes of chondosarcoma with chemo in the past.

By this time, Paul knew he had made the right choices by asking questions and finding answers from the best the medical profession could offer.

Paul says: "I hope this helps any of you out there wondering if you should be getting chemotherapy."

***
I am grateful for where I live. The distance offers a view of green rolling hills, almost mountains. Of course they are not green now. The dry weather, the heat have made sure of that.They are more a creamy carmel velvet color. "creamy" is misleading as they are quite dry. We have rain all winter, but about the middle of April is the very last of it. That is one reason why you read about forest fires in California.

We've got one started right now. Though it is not near me, it impacts me. It is located in South Lake Tahoe, a place that Katsumi has taken me many times. When he called me from work today I asked him if he had heard about it, and he reminded me it was exactly a place we had been. I couldn't remember. It's kind of disconcerting to have lost this memory of a good time. He named off the names, but they didn't ring a bell. He said we have pictures. I guess I will have to find them.

In the meantime, he tells me of a brush fire located on the Stanford University property. Grrr! this is the beginning of our "fire season"....just in time for fourth of July celebrations. Wonder if there is a connection?

With the warmer dry weather, my bones don't bother to ache so much any more, and that's a big relief. So, my walks don't produce such dramatic complaints of the musculoskeletal system. I walked today down Bridge street, opposite of the Buddhist Temple towards the newer housing development. This area used to be fields of strawberries. Now condominiums rest in the sun instead. They've got a nice level road there, but no sidewalk yet. Since most people aren't aware that it is a new shortcut to the highway out of town it is not very much traversed and I found walking along that way quite smooth. Alongside the curve of the road is a large ditch, or maybe it is part of the levee, or part of the river. I can't tell yet. It meanders as though it might be a creek, but there is no water in it that I can see.

I spent almost an hour walking along listening to Jamiroquai. And on my return, Ella Fitzgerald. Got a little breathless singing along with her. Maybe I should stop that!

That's me some years ago at Lake Tahoe.

Bakshish's mother was 68 years old when she was diagnosed as having synovial chondrosarcoma of the knee in the summer of 2000. Her left knee was so swollen that it caused intense pain. After xrays and ct scans done, it was determined that she had to get it surgically removed.

Surgery was done a month later. Because of the extensive deterioration which compromised the integrity of her knee. Surgery included a complete knee replacement, and including partial removal of the femur, tibia and fibula. Donor bone was inserted in those areas.

All this was quite disconcerting to Bakshish. He and his mother didn't realize the surgery would be so extensive. However, she recovered well and got back to having a fairly normal life, until the following October she noticed lumps bulging out of the knee area.

It was confirmed that she had a recurrence. Bakshish and his mother couldn't understand it. Hadn't the doctor's already removed that portion which had the cancer? Nonetheless another surgery was planned to remove those painless lumps.

A very short time passed and there was further recurrence. This time amputation was the only answer.

It was a difficult decision and they almost went against it. Understanding that the possibility of metastasis could develop if the amputation wasn't done, Bakshish and his mother, now 70, consented.

And so, adjusting to this new life began. But, before Bakshish knew it, one of the follow-up appointments revealed something in the lungs. So, surgery was scheduled on the lungs. Fortunately, the biopsy results proved it was benign tissue, and further lung xrays and scans remain clear.

Bakshish says, "Well, I think positive thinking, the right attitude, and a good diet.....will take you a long, healthy way.

***
It's an odd coincidence that I chose to write about Bakshish and his mother today. I received a very distressed call from my daughter today. Her husband had been in a motorcycle accident. My heart jumped into my throat before I could even ask her the obvious question. "Is he...?"

"Yes, he's alive, Mom."

I took in a deep breath and let it out slowly as she told me the details. It was his birthday today. Yes, my son-in-law, my grandtwins, and I all share the same birthday week. That's five if you count my sister's husband as well. Party time if we are all together. But, the miles separate us.

So, it was a solo birthday celebration of dirt bike riding in the hills of Southern California. One would never think a muddy stretch of track could be in that dry climate, but there it was, and the bike went down crushing my son-in-law's knee. He was rushed to the nearest hospital emergency room. After assessment, it was determined immediate surgery was necessary.

And so I waited to hear from my daughter the next bit of news. In the meantime, I am on the telephone with the twins discussing whatever they wanted to keep their minds off their Daddy's accident. They are not unaware of what bone pain is like. And it is hard to think of one's Daddy being hurt.

When the girls were younger they had child size motorcycles and rode with their father. This always made me cringe. But, grandmothers don't have a say in these things. Just prayers... for safety. As the twins grew, one gave up the biking. The other got a bigger cycle and has continued to ride.

Both these girls have inherited the Multiple Hereditary Exostoses (benign bone tumor) condition. They both had tumors surgically removed. My granddaughter, the biker girl, asked Dr. Eckert when she could return to riding her motorcycle. He very judiciously told her, "Never!"

That was last spring. She was still hoping to ride this summer. However, she has now decided she will sell her bike and buy a computer! And Granny agrees!

You would think that with all this going on, I would not bother to walk today, and that is exactly what I probably would have done. But, I have saved the boring until last. Kats and I went to the movies earlier today, before all the excitement. Arriving early, he bought our tickets and we did another walk circumambulating the block as we have done before. Surprisingly, the steep incline up the hill was not as difficult as it was last time!

Originally, they called it Leiomyosarcoma. That's what it was when Chris was diagnosed. He had tumors in the small intestine which were surgically removed. A year later it had metastasized to his liver. That was excised as well.

Chris went for several opinions at that point. One of the doctors he saw suggested he build up his immune system. So Chris began with a macrobiotic diet. He learned about what is called the Mind Body Connection and put it to use in his life. He had been dealing with a lot of depression, which is so common to cancer patients. But, learning to keep positive, even though he didn't feel that way, he continued to work with it. He felt it helped him considerably. It was nearly three years later more surgery was necessary.

He had 38 tumors this time. and once that was determined by surgically observation, nothing else was done. Still the surgeon tried to instill hope, mentioning that new drugs might be available to treat it. Chris had little faith in that at the moment. But, not one to give up, he continued to try to find answers.

So, he went to see a specialist who did a lot of research with Gastrointestinal Stromal Tumor, otherwise known as GIST. This was now the name of the diagnosis Chris had. Things change in the medical world as research develops. Sometimes diagnoses are lumped into one category and then one day it is learned that there is more than one.

Chris was able to begin participating in a clinical trial, through this doctor, with a new medicine that was already making news in the cancer community, Gleevec. Within a month, Chris had startling results. His GIST had been reversed.

With some cancers, chemo, for example is used for a while and then, if it works, it is no longer necessary. With Gleevec, Chris is required to continue taking it.

It has been since 1996, since he was first diagnosed and the Gleevec is keeping him in good health.

Learn more about his story at this Livestrong site.

***

I knew I had to get out of the house rather than brooding or worse, getting depressed. A family very close to my heart has had a tragedy, and I didn't sleep last night, I mean, no sleep, except for daytime nap. I made up my mind to get as much computer work done as possible and get my walk done before Kats came over. It has been a very busy day.

I walked all the way up to the Buddhist Temple. The end of their parking lot now has a large fireworks selling booth. Everyone is getting geared up for the fourth of July. I have my reservations about fireworks now that I have grown into an old fogey. Of course, I loved them when I was a kid. But, it seems like every year, it's got to be more and more spectacular.

In other parts of the county, fireworks are illegal. But, Watsonville permits them!
On the fourth of July every street in every neighborhood has such an abundance of pyrotechnics that a large smoky cloud hangs over the city. It's like being adjacent to a forest fire when in Los Angeles. It is nearly impossible to drive your car down the street as that is where the family displays are set up. I don't like to be here or be in a car here on the fourth of July. Yup! I'm an old fogey.

Even though, it is illegal to have fireworks in the rest of the county there are two exceptions. The Santa Cruz wharf has a very large display you can see from anywhere along the Monterey Bay, providing there isn't a low fog. Best viewing is at the beach, where everyone builds bonfires and there is no parking available in the local neighborhoods. I stay away from that too. In October there is another very fantasmagorical fireworks display off the Cement Boat wharf in Aptos.

I keep wondering, with all the tremendous booming, what is happening to the wildlife living in the Bay? I mean big booms, really big booms. Wouldn't they shock the fish, the seagulls, the pelicans, the sea lions, the otters, etc.? Yeah, I sound like one of those tree huggers, don't I? And what happens to the waste that drops into the water from the explosives?

So, as I was thinking about all this stuff, I managed to discover how people get up to the levee to do their walks, runs, (and occasional bikes). There is an actual staircase built on the incline, just about halfway to the Buddhist Temple, on the other side of the street. I guess I didn't notice it before as there is no sidewalk over there. I will need to jaywalk (legal in California) across two lanes of Bridge street. No problem as there is a wide park-like median. So, this coming week the goal is the levee!!

I headed out on today's walk practically running away from my emotions, returned thoughtful, discovered the secret of getting on the levee, and gave myself some leg cramps. All in all, it was a decent walk. And when I got home I was more able to deal with the sadness better.

It started out as the size of a pea. When he went to his annual physical, the (general practitioner) doctor said the lump on his chest was a calcium deposit, and not to worry. Assuming the doctor knew what he was talking about, Don ignored it until the next annual physical.

This time, it was larger, and off to the right side of his sternum on his fifth rib. Again, the doctor said the same thing. But, Don, wanting to know more asked, "So what do we do with this thing? Just let it keep growing?"

The reply was that when it grew to be obnoxious, he would refer him to a surgeon to shave it off. But,the GP said, it would just grow back. So, Don waited two more years until it got “obnoxious”. At first it was painless. He guessed that's why the doctor thought it was a calcium deposit. But later, if he hit it hard, or bumped it, he would experience pain. Later on, every time he hugged anyone he would stab them. Since he was a hugger, the calcium deposit got in the way and it had to go! That was when he said "it's time to get this thing taken care of.”

He was thinking of asking the Dr. to just scrape the calcium deposit down to a flat level and when it grew back in a few years, he would do it again.

So, the GP doctor sent him to a surgeon who didn't want to touch it. He was then referred to a specialist who immediately recognized it as Chondrosarcoma. That is when Don began to realize the seriousness of his situation. As a young man he used to be a respiratory therapist. He understood the potential consequences of removing part of his chest, and exposing his lungs. That was what he began to be concerned about and hoped to avoid.

The Specialist informed him that it was the type of cancer that is localized, slow growing, and does not migrate to other areas the way that other cancers do, unless it was very advanced. So, if he were to get a cancer "this was a good one to have". But, when he began to describe the surgery, Don needed to give it some thought before consenting. After waiting all this time and thinking it was just a calcium deposit and learning it was more than that, he began to question his options.

Don finally decided to educate himself, and take matters into his own hands. He went for a second opinion a thousand miles away, near to where his sister lived. If he needed major thoracic surgery it might be better to have it where someone could be with him afterwards, during the healing process. This turned out to be the best thing he could have done. Instead of the doctor taking the large muscle under the arm pit to cover the area, he took one of Don's stomach muscles, flipped it over on itself and brought it over the open area, which was about the size of a softball. The other surgical option would have been more maiming and use of his arm more limited. This way, he recuperated faster.

When the biopsy results came back, he learned it was a grade one, encapsulated, slow growing sarcoma. This was surprising considering it had grown so much in four years of, and reached a size of 7.5cm across and 9.5 deep. Don was very fortunate that it wasn't more aggressive.

He spent a month recuperating at his sister's before he returned back home and soon went back to work, and flying his small plane. He has been without recurrence ever since.

He wants to encourage others to follow their intuition, and get information from more than one source. If he had done so in the beginning, he might not have had to have such a large surgery.

Don says, "Because of my faith I wasn't too worried or nervous about the outcome to whatever I might have to go through. I just knew everything would be OK. I no longer have cancer. God is good!"

****
I awoke this morning feeling like I had been hit over the head with a giant cake of tofu. Nasty migraine had a hold of me and was fighting for dominance with the stuffy nose that wouldn't give up. Imitrex and Claritin didn't help. My two stand-by herbal infusions didn't give relief. Every time I got up to do anything I was befuddled and dizzy. So, after futzing around trying to keep at it, I finally laid back down, and did some artwork. Too unfocused to read.

My twin granddaughters called (on their own birthday cell phones, mind you!!!)

"Happy Birthday, Granny Rose!"

"Thank you!"

"How old are you today?"

"One hundred and sixty-two." (that's how I feel as I lie here in bed).

One of them is so logical she knows it is impossible. She tells me that most people dont live past 100, and tells me why!
"What year were you born?"

"You can do the math!" The one with her head in the clouds gives up guessing. The other figures it out.

"Granny Rose, when are you gonna have our websites ready?"

I dont want to disappoint them when I cant zip something up between phone calls. They dont know that Granny spends most of her time in the Sarcoma World. Their Mom thinks they might not be ready to deal with all that right now.

Since Granny has all she can do to remember where to find glasses, keys and purse, it is imperative that they write all their wonderful ideas in an email. I can barely focus on all the requests they are making on the phone. I don't want to forget.

"Please write these ideas down. Okay?" These are not typical ten year olds. Well, not the kind I was! One wants to save the wolves, first and foremost. She considers her husky to be the closest thing to being a wolf. Then, save the wildlife, and she wants a list of all species of animal existent on the planet! I'll have to convince her to pare it down to endangered species.

The other has been inspired by the Warriors series of books by Erin Hunter, about fantasy feral cats who live in tribal colonies in the wild. She is writing her own chapters to enhance the books which are lacking in publishing within her time frame of readiness. Granny's job, after she blogs her entries, is to correct spelling, grammar, and suggest ways to fill out the plot, etc.

This is summer vacation time! Don't they want to go swimming or something? I love them dearly, so I won't let them down. If you notice my blog runs a day behind, this is part of the reason why.

My Social Worker came by and had me fill out some legal papers. She is so sweet. She brought me a birthday present. A zebra. She knows I collect them and why. Sarcoma patients are zebras. Sometimes, some are so rare, I think of zebras with wings and a unicorn!

It was nice to be remembered on my birthday, though I had to spend it in bed. The migraine went away with only two imitrex, the stuffed in the nose, the kind that makes you feel you have clay up inside, didn't subside til evening, and the dizziness is still hanging out. Tomorrow will be better. I just know it.

The best birthday present today?

"I love you Granny Rose!"

This Australian Nurse learned that a symptom does not always represent what one expects and a tumor is not always malignant. I happily dedicate today to Catherine!

She had been limping around on a very sore hip. Not much of a concern really as she had just finished landscaping her back yard and had moved many cubic metres of mulch, soil and pebbles.

In her work as a community health nurse she was required to drive to client’s homes and often perform post acute care in cramped or difficult positions. Her hip pain was hampering her. Then it started keeping her awake at night.

She asked a doctor where she worked to look at her hip. She was given the usual anti-inflammatory prescription, and off she went to work. When she realised that her children were mimicking her limp she returned to the GP. Catherine was referred to an orthopaedic surgeon who requested an x-ray and finally a bone scan to exclude “any nasties” and confirm his diagnosis of bursitis. Of course, it was a bursitis, but the radiologist was concerned about the “hot spot” in my humerus. The surgeon wasn’t too concerned and said “you didn’t complain of any pain in your arm or shoulder!”

She received a phone call from the orthopaedic surgeon one afternoon. “I’ve had a call from the radiologist who is wondering what we are doing regarding your arm”!!!!!

Being in the medical field this concerned her as she knew Radiologists don’t, as a general rule, chase up surgeons. She learned her surgeon had a conference call with a bone tumour specialist, and suddenly she had an appointment with the bone tumour doctor with an MRI booked for the following day.

"All very fast...Unusual...Scary...!" she says.

At this point she began her research on enchondroma and it’s nasty cousin, chondrosarcoma. Full-blown fright exploded. She went for her MRI. Her best friend (who works in the radiology dept) was there, and started to ask questions. The radiologist was informative but as expected, very reserved. The report from the bone scan stated that the uptake was too high to be considered normal for an enchondroma and the MRI indicated that the imaging was certainly indicative of a chondrosarcoma.

"My GP gave me the results. My best friend sobbed and the GP was stunned."

Catherine suddenly needed to know all she could. All the other research she did yielded medical papers and research papers. When she looked at the studies, they were almost insignificant in their volume. How could anyone base their treatment on such limited research? By now she knew it was rare.

An open biopsy was performed and bone cement inserted in the cavity. The results came back two weeks later. It was not a chondrosarcoma after all. It was benign...an enchondroma.

You see... things are not always what they appear to be!

****
Since it has been cooler, I can leave the house earlier and catch a better light for taking pictures of the flora and fauna of the neighborhood. I wore my ipod and played some oldies but goodies. I won't tell what decade. Okay, pre-Beatles.

I decided to head off around the corner towards the grocery store, but not all the way there. The local tofu factory
across from the Buddhist temple was smoking it's product today. They use a natural wood fire to do this. The smoke bothers my asthma. I called them once to ask what they were burning. That was when I got a very nice owner explaining the whole history of their endeavor and his assurances that they smoked within EPA guidelines. Plus, he personally dropped by and gifted me a tasty sample. (mmm..mmm... good) On the certain days they do this smoking, I either stay home, windows closed, or make sure I have my inhaler on board. It all depends on which way the breezes are blowing. It wasn't too bad today, so I used my puffer and kept on going.



I hope you like the pictures. If anyone knows what kind of caterpillar that is, please let me know. The snail was brought over here by the French setters a long time ago, and escaped from the frying pan, and now they feast upon our gardens. No, I don't consider them tasty, and neither does my cat!


Even though I poked along a little to stop and catch a picture, I know I left those critters in the dust! Today was a good walk of about 45 minutes.

Laurie drives tractor trailers for a living. Today's blog is dedicated to her.

With that kind of occupation, tolerating pain is part of the job, but she had a LOT of pain. It was terrible, all the muscles in her arm, shoulder, and chest hurt.

The tumor in her right proximal humerus bone was diagnosed as low grade chondrosarcoma.
After cutting the tumor out of the bone, cryosurgery was performed. Liquid nitrogen was placed inside the bone, frozen, then thawed twice during the surgery.
note: picture is representative art--E.M.

Often asked about this, Laurie makes it clear she was under anesthesia when it occurred and never had any "cold" feelings afterwards. Five pins (or rods) were placed down into the healthy part of bone, and extended up into the empty cavity previously occupied by the tumor. This was then filled in with "bone glue". This technique hardens the bone immediately, therefore lessening the risks of fractures. Laurie was on intravenous antibiotics the 2 days she was in the hospital. After that, her terrible pain was gone

Laurie says, "My doctor and his whole staff have been absolutely wonderful. I can call anytime and ask anything. If he doesn't know the answer, he doesn't stop until he finds out for me."

At home, she only had discomfort, and stiffness which she attributed to wearing a sling. Within 3 months she regained about 80% range of motion and 40% strength soon returned to work.

Laurie doesn't drive cross-country anymore as she had in the past. She drives locally delivering jet fuel, 8 hours a day, 40 hour week.

"I love driving, and have missed it so much while I was out on disability."

About 9 months post-op, Laurie had an increase in muscular pain. The symptoms had been similar what she had experienced before her diagnosis: muscular pain in shoulder, under arm and chest area on upper right side, but no direct pain in the arm. She made a quick trip to her local orthopedic doctor who said she was fine and ordered more Physical Therapy. He didn't take an x-ray, since one was already scheduled for her follow-up a month ahead, with her Sarcoma Surgeon. That follow up appointment brought some not so good news. The X-ray showed a hairline (stress) fracture

in the humerus bone just below the surgical site. At least, the good news was... no recurrence of chondrosarcoma! Once again Laurie was put on light-duty. ABSOLUTELY, no lifting, as per her Sarcoma Specialist. Another six weeks passed before she could get back to her driving passion. And from that point on, controlled work outs for PT.

Presently Laurie has regained 75% of her prior strength and 100% range-of-motion.
Five years has passed since her diagnosis, surgery and healing. Laurie has a lot to celebrate.

"I truly feel blessed. I got remarried to my Soulmate who went thru all this cancer and surgery stuff with me."

Keep on Truckin' Laurie


****
I feel so much better today! Just resting, instead of gritting my teeth and pushing myself yesterday has made a difference!

My friend came over today to take me over to the hospital so I can pick up my prescriptions. I like to use their pharmacy because it is very personal. They know me by sight, they know me by name. When I have a prescription that is automatically turned down by my insurance, they don't just toss it back to me and say it's not covered. They fax a request back over to the doctor's office to do whatever she needs to do to have it approved by the insurance. Waving magic wands is what I call it. I know it is more complicated than that.

I asked my friend to park on the furthest end of the hospital parking lot so I could have a good walk. She waited for me in her car as she recently was bitten by a black widow spider and walking right now is rough for her. So, I went across the parking lot enjoying the cool air, (so glad the temps went down again) and keeping an eye on the planes circle above our small local airport.

I didn't have any pain whatsoever. Yay!! and walked fairly smoothly with no crunches in the joints to catch me off guard. It sort of locks up on me when it does that. I was able to get all the way to the front door and inside. Then the long hallway loomed it's slippery self up. But, no problem, I had my skechers on with the good gripping soles. I didn't have to wait in line, I got my prescription chatted for a while with the Pharmacist, and left.

Yes, I know this seems an unlikely scenario. I have been in hospitals where the pharmacy was a nightmare. But, this is a small town, and there are enough outside pharmacies competing for business that most people go there. They don't seem to know there is a pharmacy here, unless they have been a patient.

I have been a long time advocate of going to Mom and Pop pharmacies for this very reason....good, thoughtful service. Not to mention, they need the money more than a big conglomerate. The hospital pharmacy is the best kept secret in town. I love them! And they act like they love me. After all, how many other customers do they have who walk away with a full shopping bag of prescription drugs every month? Don't get me wrong now. Those Lidocaine patches come in large boxes and I get 3 boxes per month. So they do take up some of the room in that shopping bag.

I walked back out to the hallway and back to the front entrance. I got halfway into the parking lot when my friend drove up. She had been reading the print out I gave her on spider bites and wanted to get home!

My total walk was about 40 minutes. Today was good!
I'm gonna keep on truckin', too!