Had my first appointment with Dr. Delmore this afternoon. We are both very happy with him. He has a great receptionist, Marsha, who dealt with my sister over the phone to set this whole thing up while we were still in India. She thought my sis was pretty great too! Said she knew her stuff. No kidding. Birdie was the office manager for a group of 20 doctors for over 20 years (tell me quick, Bird, if I’ve got essential info wrong…).
I will have one more chemo – Monday – and plan to have the surgery about a month later. The surgery depends on whether the solid cancer mass is move-able (detached) or not. It not, we’ll do another round of chemo before attempting the de-bulking/cytoreduction surgery. The estimate for the chemo is approximately $5,000 – less than we expected. This first one will be on us, as I won’t be through the application for medicaid/disability in time.
The final diagnosis on cancer type and stage cannot be made until after the surgery – from the biopsy. If it is endometrial, it would be stage four, as endometrial does not normally spread outside the pelvis. If ovarian, stage three. Possibility of “cure”? 25-30% if stage three. Much less if stage four. You know what to pray for…
Because I have already had one round of chemo, I do not qualify for any research trials at this point. My next chance for joining a trial would be after all treatment is finished, or if nothing works. Dr. said the pain just under my ribs could be referred pain from my colon – which may have trouble flexing due to that solid mass down there. Pain doesn’t necessarily mean it’s cancer in that location.
Nurse said I looked good with a shaved head, nice shape… Awright!!!!!
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| From Back home Aug 2010 |
I didn’t know my ears stuck out so much.
Got an email from a former Woodstock student in our advisor group. Said, “you’re funnier than I remember.” Love you R.J.!
We are replacing our very old kitchen stove, we had planned to put a new one in for the renters. Found a really great gas stove for half price at Sears. Does God provide appliances when needed?
Peace,
Cookie
Shucks, Cheri made me tote the electric range out of the pineapple house to the street last sunday. I though we should see if it worked – if so it would probably be worth $50 to someone. But no, it had to go. Within a few minutes someone noticed it – a car pulled up and the lady inside dialed her cell phone. I went out to talk to her. A full-size white van pulled up and the driver started moving stuff around in back to make room. The lady had a name tag on from the local hospital. Her name ws Betty. She said the guy in the white van was her neighbor up the street. She called him whenever she spotted junk appliances. He hauled ‘em off to the recycler for scrap. Unemployed, had to make rent somehow. He said, “that’s 5 or 6 bucks of tin for just 5 minutes of work on my part. I know some whores in this town who don’t make that kind of money on an hourly basis.” He walked away from me and Betty. Betty said, “pleased to meet you allen. always like to see nice people move into the neighborhood. it raises the general level of the area…”
You’re cute, and I love you.
Chris and I are looking for a weekend to come down, it’ll be as soon as possible! LOVE YOU!