Gettin' It All Lined Out

This afternoon we met with the husband's medical oncologist, Dr De La Casas and his nurse, Dawn. Dr D did medical background with the husband and a quick physical. He explained the additional tests he is ordering. Dr D is very thorough. He wants to put a "first name and last name" on this cancer then we can build a treatment plan. Again, we both really liked this doc and his nurse. 

So he ordered the husband to have a bone survey, a PET scan, bone marrow biopsy, urine test and blood labs. He also wants the husband to see the lung specialist to rule out the very small nodule that was detected on his lung during the upper chest CT scan. He stated it is so small they couldn't even put a needle in it but he wants to cover all bases.

We have the bone marrow biopsy and blood labs scheduled for the morning. I told Dawn the husband was nervous about the biopsy. She performs the procedure and explained the whole process to him from getting numbed up, to hearing the drill, to the brief pain he'll feel has she removes the marrow. It really helped ease his anxiety.  The lab tech that assists also reiterated that everything would be fine.  Everyone we've encountered at the new cancer center have been SO nice..  

As we were getting the appointments set up this afternoon, I mentioned to the lab tech that we had a mutual friend. She looked at me and said, "Oh! You're Butch's mom!" How funny is that! We got a good laugh out of it.  Before we leave the clinic tomorrow, we should have the appointments for his additional tests. 

Gonna leave y'all with this. The husband eating his salad. He said I needed to take a picture for proof. He really has been putting forth effort to eat healthy. 

Let's Get Zapped

After much frustration with appointments, the husband finally got at least one straightened out with the radiation doctor. We went this afternoon to the new cancer clinic in Waco and met Dr. Nguyen. He and his nurse, Kim, listened to our ramblings and frustrations about the appointments. Then they went to work to get everything situated for us. 

Dr. Nguyen discussed radiation with us and what the husband could expect. But until we meet with the medical oncologist and find out exactly what we're dealing with, we can't develop a treatment plan.  The husband really liked Dr. Nguyen and his nurse for their straight forwardness. Plus he was a hoot. Who thought we would be laughing out loud while discussing procedures at the cancer center? That goes a long way with me.

So Nurse Kim got the husband an appointment with the medical oncologist at the center. His appointment is next Thursday afternoon.  It's a consultation to start everything. Finally on the right path. Today really did a lot to relieve some of the anxiety.

Hurry Up and Wait

That seems to be the plan we're on right now.  Still waiting for the oncology appointment.  The husband called them on Monday to check on it.  He was told the just received the referral and were pairing him up with the appropriate doctor. We should hear back from them either Wednesday or Thursday.  Well, didn't hear anything today. So let's hope for tomorrow.  I have a problem with the unknown, as I am a planner. And the husband has a problem with patience.  :)

The husband decided to start eating healthier since his diagnosis. Cut out a lot of his coffee consumption and replaced it with green tea.  Came home Monday and told me he had a salad for lunch and "it had a LOT of lettuce." Oh he makes me laugh. Then he added that he had to have some dessert with it. Baby steps. Yesterday he stopped at Shlotzsky's for a sandwich instead of a burger. But do you know what they have a Shlotzsky's? Cinnabon. Apparently, he was drooling over a pecan carmel cinnabon but he only got the plain minibons. Baby steps.  He's actually doing really well though.

The husband wanted to share this as well:

"Thank You everyone for the kind words and support. This is a tough situation but I'm pretty dang tough myself and my wife is ten times as tough as me. We are going to fight and be strong. 

Thanks again, The Husband"

Five Things I've Learned in the Last Month

1.  Wives rejoice, nagging saves lives. Men are cringing at the thought, I know. But if I had not nagged the Husband about going to the doctor, this would have not been detected. So there!  Nag away my sistas.

2.  Hot doctors do actually exist outside of my television! The Husband asked me what I thought of the bone cancer doctor after our first visit. To which I quickly responded, "I like him!" Husband said cause he's cute!  Well yea! I advised the Husband I would be sending his orthopedic doc a thank you note for that referral. 

3.  The biopsy prep area has a great rapid response time. I may have fainted as I attempted to walk to the bathroom after getting lightheaded while the nurse was jacking with the Husband's IV. A doctor caught me on my way down.  I woke up thinking "please don't pee on yourself, please don't pee on yourself!" The Husband thought it was pretty funny.  I told him I just needed a quick power nap. Now I am known as "Oh, you're the one."

4.  Taking a very doped up husband to eat pancakes (because he dreamed about them while he was asleep for the biopsy) can be quite entertaining. However, when he becomes impatient waiting for the check and starts banging his coffee cup on the table, one must use her low, very stern "stop that right now" voice.  Of course, he remembers none of this which makes for good blackmail. ;)

5.  And most recently, we learned that we're surrounded by tons of awesome supportive friends and family.  We have always joked that I have no friends but now I can prove him wrong. And seriously, I live to prove him wrong. :)

The "C" Word

How did we get here?  The "C" word? The husband and I seem to have told the story countless times since last Thursday.  But that happens when a lightning bolt strikes and no one saw it coming.  We figured it would be easiest to recount the past month here.  That way the story doesn't get construed, everyone will be all up to speed and perhaps we don't have to keep retelling it.  We'll just give you the blog address. ;)  

December 6th- The husband FINALLY went to the doctor after me nagging for a month.  It was for some stomach issue.  I figured he had an ulcer or something.  His doctor had retired so he saw the new doc.  She had him take an X-ray of his abdomen.  Well she didn't like what she saw (turns out she did the x-ray wrong) so he was sent to the hospital for a CT scan.  We spent all afternoon doing the CT scan to find there was nothing wrong with his abdomen.  But they did find a "spot" on his left hip.

December 9th- The husband talked to the primary care doctor and she referred him to the orthopedic doc that he had seen before for his shoulder.

December 11th- The husband met with the orthopedic doc to go over his CT scan.  Dr said the spot was not something he could deal with, it needed to be checked out by a bone cancer specialist and referred the husband to The Bone and Joint Institute.

December 18th- We met with Dr. Ward.  He ordered another CT scan, a biopsy and a full body bone scan. Once we got those results, we would know more of what we were dealing with and how to treat it.

December 23rd- We spent the day at the hospital.  First thing in the morning, he had an upper chest CT scan.  Then he went in for his biopsy.  After that, I got him over to the bone scan.

January 2nd- Met with Dr. Ward for the results of the tests.  He said the upper CT scan looked good.  Nothing on it that he was worried about.  The full body scan didn't show any bone abnormalities.  However, the biopsy results were not as positive.  The husband's hip tumor is cancerous.  It's called a plasmocytoma.  Basically, it is a malignant plasma cell tumor growing within his hip bone.  We have to rule out multiple myeloma though.  Multiple myeloma is a blood cancer that develops in the bone marrow.  It causes plasma cells to reproduce uncontrollably.  So we must figure out if this is an isolated tumor or if it is throughout his system.

The next step....a bone marrow biopsy.  We have not received the appointment for that yet.  We'll be calling first thing Monday to see what the hold up is.  Once that is completed, we'll know exactly what we're dealing with and start a treatment plan.  If it's the one plasmocytoma, he will undergo radiation.

We very much appreciate all the kind words and support we've received.  We'll take all your prayers, good juju and positive thoughts you send our way!

The Un-welcomed Guest

We're usually pretty inviting to pop-ins.  Doesn't happen very much way out in the sticks but occasionally.  Just never know what will show up at your door. About a month ago, we got a knock.  The guest came in and hung out for awhile.  Alright, no big deal, we'll deal with you for a little while then you can be on your merry way.  Well, it didn't work out like that.  Here it is nearly a month later and the guest has taken up residence.  Seriously, no one said this was a permanent situation.  Actually, I believe we asked you to leave nicely.  Nope, the guest wasn't going anywhere.  He was here to stay and cause trouble.  Okay, it appears we're going to need to take serious measures to rid you of our home.  No one comes in MY home and takes things from me.  So the fight begins.....

Merry Christmas Y'all

Snuggles

Man, where did my warm weather go??  I was running in a tank top 2 days ago.  Won't be doing that today for sure.  But I have my own lap warmer.

Wordless Wednesday

Halloween is Almost Here

Have you decided on a costume yet? Butch is going as a biker dude. I told the husband he needs a spiked collar but he said no. Butch would hurt himself.  Husband is a party pooper. He needs a leather vest too.  Don't you think?