That's All Folks!!!!

Although I will update after my follow up next month on the mysterious mass.........I'm done here for the most part again and the daily updates are going away thank goodness.  As I told my Aunt when she was in town a few months back when she asked why I didn't post here much, I reminder her that was a good thing.   I never created this blog as a journal of my life and the majority of what is here I wouldn't wish on anyone but this latest scare deserved and required me to be here but as we found yesterday, my writing talents, or lack there of, are no longer needed!

Once again, it never ceases to amaze me who comes out of the woodwork in support at times like this.  Some you don't even expect and even in this limited setback, I am so grateful to you.  Much as I try to blow it all off as no big deal, that strength comes from the words of encouragement and support from you and are so desperately needed.  I said to a friend the other day that it is a very lonely feeling as I'm the only one who ultimately has to deal with the dreaded train and realization of my own mortality as I deal with the truly awful memories of what could be if this went wrong, so the support from my family and friends old and new is priceless-THANK YOU

I for one finally got a good night's rest and see a great weekend of yacht racing, a dear friends return home party and cooking up our Annual Easter lamb -can't tell you how grateful I am to know one can do that-Happy Easter to all!!!

Thank God! It's over with a green light as a False Alarm!

A frightening, stressful, anxious week is over! I'd prefer not to be subjected to one of these again thank you, but THANK GOD it all turned out to be, relatively speaking, a non event!  I have been pretty much on auto pilot and going through the motions the last few days trying to suppress the whole "what if" scenario as can't even comprehend having to go through anything like 2010 again and right on the heels of Rick, its been a tough suppression.  As always, for the most part (I did vent a little of that and was grateful for that sounding board so as to not hold all inside as that creates even more anxiety-Thank you!!!) I tried to keep up my happy NBD look but the body and brain know better and beat me up.  I hope I can finally now get a decent nights rest without the nightmares as I'm flat out exhausted and I knew my blood pressure was out of whack-more on that to follow.

I got out of bed and had a plan to keep myself busy and not dwell as I had to wait until my appointment at 3.  I was quite successful right up to the point I made a delivery to Diamond Head Memorial Park.  Today was also the service for a gal that used to work for us at ALOHA Magazine that recently passed away and there was simply no way we could make the service yet as a family and company we had to be represented.  With it being Easter, Pam found we had to have an arrangement made so in the essence of time, I decided it be part of my keep myself busy plan to  pick up and deliver-BAD IDEA as that was not the place for me to be today and I literally broke down.  The general consensus I got was  "Jeff???? Why are you at a cemetery??  GET OUT OF THERE!"  Very good advise as I am anything but fatalistic but not my wisest choice but  my thoughts and prayers go out to Wendy her family and friends-Thank you Lance for putting it all together!

Now the hour approaches for the reading of the tarot cards if you will and as I said going in, I'd like to request the one that says "Just Kidding! Sorry about inflicting all that unnecessary stress and anxiety on you this past week... See you in six months" Please! and essentially that is what happened.

I walk in and of course the brain on overdrive so the fact they took me immediately didn't go unnoticed and odd.  Is this a good sign...or bad? This place is the 800lb Gorilla of Hawaii Oncology and as always, the waiting room is packed.  Even though my Doctor is one of the better of the group about respecting his patient's time, you never get right in.  Again anything out of ordinary....Gulp!  We do skip blood work although did just do last week but the nurse still does vitals.  I've dropped 4 pounds since last week and SHOCKING, my blood pressure is sky high. She is surprised and concerned.  REALLY LADY?  It was elevated last week and you're the one who dismissed as WCS and now, as I'm awaiting these results...your surprised its higher????  It actually is scarily high to be honest :(  She puts me in the room and I can hear her outside telling the Doctor.  He walks in, again odd as nothing ever quick and says "well, guess you heard that and outside of my nurses concerns, that I'm overlooking under the circumstances, although it is high Jeff.....but this should help it come down as the report here says all good!"

OH THANK GOD and can feel the relief for a moment......that's it?  I don't think so as again, known him for some time and there is a look of concern and sure enough he goes right back into exam mode feeling and prodding all around the area of concern on my neck.  I finally ask whats up, you don't believe the path report do you?   No he admits he doesn't as there is certainly a mass there. He wasn't my original Oncologist as many of you may recall my issues with the infamous "Mr. Bill" whom I fired back after my chemo, but in review of my original scan sets back in Jan/Feb of 2010 and his reports, it turns out there was a similar mass here on the left side.  I'm shocked and I can feel the pressure go right back up as I have no recollection of anything on the left, it was just the tumor on my right tonsil and left nasal flange, not left neck?   (I reviewed here as well being my own personal journal and don't see any notation of such either)

So it's back?  Is that what he telling me?

He tells me he assumes the Doctor that wrote the report compared to prior but he hasn't actually "seen" the pictures as for some reason he cant pull up in his office.  He needs to go down to the Dungeon and talk and compare with the Doctor.  WHAT????  This isn't even over.  He promises me he only has one more patient and will go downstairs and call me and to not worry as it may just be scar tissue that has developed post radiation.  Then why never notice before????.  Ahhh shit...more waiting...more questions.  He assures me he feels I'm fine based on the report BUT he needs to do this and still may send me for a PET scan if he has any doubts but to get out of here, go to beach (he knows my passion of the Ocean) and he'll call me by 6.

UUGGHHHH!  I walk out trying to convince myself this is good news and I've at least dropped the threat level from red to yellow...I WANT GREEN!

True to his word.I didn't even get to the club and my phone rings.  He concurs 100% with the path report and gives me that green all clear light!  WOO HOO!

He does hedge a bit that there is something there obviously BUT as it is in no way a cancer, its isn't a concern.  Not to say it will be ignored but he knows I see the ENT in a few weeks and will brief her and he does want me back in a month to follow up.

BOTTOM LINE IS NO CANCER!  THANK GOD

Swim, sunset, family and friends for the rest of my day and can feel the stress escaping from the body.  Who knew decompressing could be so exhausting???  I'm going to bed!

More anxiety as.......

....now we wait!

I wake up with the sun, well wait.....that implies I was actually sleeping so, I get out of bed with the sun more accurate, to go get poked and prodded and placed in a loud pounding cylinder spraying you with radiation for a few hours is a hell of a way to start off tax day....Oh Goodie!  Nothing really worthy of reporting except they are done without incident.....at least not any noticeable bad vibes from the techs as you know they have an idea what they looking at.  Now to try to keep my happy face on and go on with my day, that means finishing taxes!  Get through tomorrow and most of Thursday all the while keeping my anxiety levels to a minimum as this waiting and uncertainty can kill you in it's own right.  Then of course there will be the actual reading of the taro cards Thursday afternoon.  UUGGHHHH!!

I can only hope I can keep my head up and think with my glass half full attitude and somewhat inappropriate sense of humor that got me through this shit the first time that all is fine......but I must admit....Spooked.....as if its not.......Nah, cant think like that Jeff - Yes, there is obviously something wrong, as I can actually feel something too so need to find out what this is and address it.  I just pray and hope it doesn't have anything to do with my prior or any of its nasty relatives or byproducts.

Going to be a long few days and then lets hope that's all folks!

What the hell?????

Well as expected a very restless night and sea of emotion as trying to focus-just cant get that sickly feeling of stress out of my gut.  Breath Jeff...Control the controllable!  Good news I can draw from today however is no phone call from the Doc and sure he's seen the labs on whatever muscle enzymes he was checking.  I'm sure if that further alarmed him, he'd call...right???

Second-OMG what the hell is this.  I remembered last night a picture of me from the 2012 Lahaina return where my neck looked really odd.  I dug it up and this is downright frightening! Why good news?  My annual scans were 2 weeks after this photo and I've had 2 additional scans as well as half a dozen check up exams since all with clean bills of health.  The question then is what the hell is it????

Enough over thinking for the day...nothing I can do so off to have some fun at our Annual April Foolish Make-a Wish Party!

SPEEDBUMP!

Where the hell that come from?  Guess I’ll be back posting here after all but God willing, only for one brief week while I run the nightmare of testing and waiting!!!!

Shy of the erroneous scan reading a few years back with the scar tissue in my shoulder, I have never had anything but a clean bill of health from any of my checkups!  NEVER! A perfect record no more and I am none too happy-Spooked quite frankly on the heels of Ricks services last week.  Trying to hold it together but admit have had a few moments as this has stirred up a whole bunch of feelings and memories as getting a handle on this, hopefully nothing more than, little setback as  I went to Dr Cho today for my 6 month routine where almost from the get go it was anything but!

He starts with his usual small talk about sailing and now possibility of Americas cup coming while he starts a general exam of feeling around, poking and prodding.  I think I notice a reaction while he feeling around my neck but I’m always a bit worried every time I walk in-My blood pressure was slightly elevated and the nurse shrugged it off to White Coat syndrome-he then goes into general questions about me on how I’m feeling, anything hurting all the while taking an extended interest feeling around left side of my neck.  I respond and hadn’t even though of mentioned to him but as a matter of fact yes, I have been hurting a bit.  My hip and legs have been oddly sore the last few weeks-like after a big hike or run yet I haven’t been.    He asks specifically where and if I have a sense of weakness while walking.  Umm yeah that’s exactly what it’s like.  Why?  Safe bet to say BP just jumped substantially and has nothing to do with WCS.  Back to the vampires for a another blood draw as he wants to check on muscle enzymes-He has obviously been down this path before and he’s never checked those levels before.  I come back into the exam room after getting stuck again and ask him what’s up and he says just wants to check those levels see if he can determine why having this pain.  I’m the glass half full guy but I don’t buy it.  We then go back to this extremely thorough neck exam that is a far cry from a massage and he’s’ never done this before either, nor had the perplexed look going back and forth to my old scans and charts.  It’s usually feeling the area once over and pau and my entire demeanor changes back to a dark scared mood I haven’t felt in years…and he knows it.  There is a look on his face I NEVER wanted to see during an exam again from a Doctor and that is concern, yet here we are.  FCK!  The nurse comes in with my original blood work results and we go through the rest of the exam as uneventful as always.  Fortunately all my blood work looks fine but he says that there is “mass” he feels on the left side that is not universal with the right and it needs a closer look.  He’s quick to say it’s only a precaution but we need a full scan workup to be safe and although it is completely different from the tumor of 2010 he wants to see what it is even if something as benign as a spazzing muscle as I do get them in my neck quite often from all the radiation.  It is something out of the ordinary and that never what you want in my situation and I so don not miss this anxiety and literally feel sick.

I went and caught my sunset and a glass of wine and had a nice phone call that actually made me laugh but I’m in a bit lost right now-it’s a surreal feeling and I don’t like it! There is obviously something amiss and I can hope it is completely unrelated. Cracking a bottle of wine isn’t going to help anything so I’m off to try get some sleep although I’m sure that going to be tough.  This is going to be a hell of a week!!  UUGGHHHH! 

Aloha Rick!

Control the controllable!

I haven’t posted much here in a very long time….and the last handful were more on the fluffy side anyway, but that is a good thing as no news is good news right!  Fortunately my reasoning for updating doesn't involve me directly however it is still something that has affected me dramatically in the last 24 hours and feel an update required, even if just for my own later use as really making me think as the damn train is back and rolled right over me!  

A reference I fortunately haven’t used in years that many of you may recall from my days in Queens, and thank god not for same reason this time, but the train blindsided me again as I received word yesterday of the passing of a friend and fellow “survivor” in Rick Moss.  This is way too close to home and has really rattled me as he was supposed to be part of our little hui of throat cancer SURVIVORS yet in his case, it came back and this time he was not so fortunate…further the speed in which it all happened is just as frightening and to think he was about 5 years or so ahead of me since his diagnosis…so much for being a “curable” cancer!  WTF????   Frankly, this has not only blindsided me but has simply scared the shit out of me in a brutal reminder of what cards we have been dealt and of my own mortality in how fragile this life is.

Rick had not only become a friend over the years through our Boys Bunch group, but also part of a much smaller circle of us that all have gone through this experience and felt fortunate to use that survivor phrase-not a program I recommend but we all made it out the back end and have a bond that I can’t really explain in which we shared this experience and can interact and help one another as need be with our own horror stories, remedies and general life issues that plague us all as we all are different-Everything from swallowing and taste  issues, to neck spasms to general days of still feeling plain shitty due to some of the radiation damage will never go away but as we've been there and the general population hasn't, its a unique and welcome bond and I feel fortunate to have some of these guys to call on or assist!  He had always been amazed as to my progress and speed as to much of my recovery as there were things that I am able to do that even now, he still wasn't able too.  He had expressed some concern over some irregularities over the Holidays to me and I had learned he had to go do some tests last month, but as I mentioned earlier, he never got through the recovery process as I did and he indicated it was just more of the same so never did I imagine the next news would that of his passing-we are all supposed to have beat this damn thing by now!

I have spent much of last night and today back here in the blog and reflecting on my own journey-talk about stirring up nightmares for myself but the realization that I was able to survive the hell of my 2010 treatments and recovery by living the mantra of “control the controllable” and created an environment that allowed me to focus on ways to best help making things work themselves out for the best and survive!  I surrounded myself in as much of a stress free environment as possible by not dwelling or concerning myself with things, people or issues that didn't have my best interests in mind or that I have no control over and focusing on what was in the best interest of beating this beast without any negative influence.  That still needs to perpetuate today although in reality that hasn't been the case over the past year or so as I've slipped back into a "normal" life of sorts where the day to day decisions are predicated on different goals and the stresses that come along with some of those have worked their way back in a multitude of forms and that is simply not healthy. I've allowed myself to lose that focus and control in many ways,  on both a personal and professional level,  that have made for a less than perfect environment for myself and continued health and that needs to be addressed NOW as I am a firm believer that stress IS a killer and C thrives on it.  With my health in check, all else will fall into place where it is supposed to but without it…absolutely nothing matters!  


This is a very scary reminder of how fast things can go so terribly wrong and I need to take care of what I need to for me first and foremost so I can then be here to take care of all the rest as it falls into its rightful place in life:)

All my best and condolences go out to Val, Lian and Logan 


A rather timely post that showed up under my FB feed as was directing you over here as well and I rarely look at these too!  LOL
http://www.lifebuzz.com/just-stop/

Mama Lee

So my Aunt sailed through town last week on her home ship the m.s. Crystal Serenity and mentioned she was disappointed I hadn't posted anything her of late.  OF COURSE NOT-and that a good thing as that means there is nothing to report thank you very much-Id like to keep it that way.  But per her request, the Sunday Honolulu Star Bulletin ran a great article on her so her is a post for her!

Locomotion gets 1st, but finishes 2nd

NAWILIWILI — Locomotion, owned by Dr. John Myhre, looked to be the sole leader heading into Nawiliwili Harbor Friday afternoon during the 2012 Kaua‘i Channel Race.
The Andrews 45, staying well ahead of three masts visible on the horizon, appeared to have the Nawiliwili Yacht Club 2012 Kaua‘i Channel Race in the bag.
That is, until she neared the Ninini Point buoy when, from behind the bluff, Kalewa, a 50-foot catamaran owned by Kevin Millett, appeared and barreled down on the monohull.
Both boats were at the easterly 15-20 knot winds and at the finish, Locomotion sounded the horn a scant nine seconds ahead of Kalewa, Locomotion logging an elapsed sail of 9:05:18 chased by Kalewa at 9:05:27.
“Following a 100-mile race, a difference of nine seconds is a really good race,” said Doug Gibson of the NYC Race Committee who recorded the finishes from the jetty wall area after the flotilla of 19 boats left Kaneohe at 7 a.m. Friday.
Locomotion corrected to 12:52:13 PHRF, good for second place in the PHRF A class, relinquishing her early lead to Trois Amis, a Kaufman 39 owned by Frederic Berg who crossed on a 10:28:54 elapsed sail and corrected to 12:37:01 PHRF for top honors in the PHRF A class.

Locomotion gets 1st, but finishes 2nd

2 Year Clearance Celebration!

Hard to believe I missed the date, but there is a previous post, "Friday, June 18, 2010-And then there were NONE!" that I was ecstatic about with the completion of all my treatment-In pain but we were done. 

Today, July 10, 2012,  I am suddenly giddy ecstatic again and didn't even expect it!

I went in to see the ENT for my scheduled 3 month follow up and after a few new tests, she proudly announced, again thank god, that everything looks great and we ran one more test.  Later here this afternoon she went on  very excited herself with those results to inform me  "You have cause to go and celebrate!  You have surpassed your two year anniversary with flying colors and that is the time frame that most concerns me for any type recurrence of your type of cancer and you have NONE-go grab Lisa and toast to your good health!"  Well I cant go get Lisa as she under the weather and has the boys but I find myself somewhat euphoric so going to go get in a swim on this beautiful Hawaiian afternoon and have a glass of wine at sunset!

Didn't expect this but boy does it feel good I admit!  Not to worry-I'm not done with my check ups-Its rather a comfort to have someone checking up on me every few months so I already have my appointment set for October but this is a milestone I like!

Happy 4th of July!

Make that 2!

WTH- Make that twice today Im sending this out.  Not a great week!  Prayers and blessings to all!

Venting

Sorry-had to log on here to forward my link and see I haven't had any updates so as long as I'm here-A quick vent as been a crappy week!

First off, I'm just fine-had the flu-that sucked, got sick earlier in the year but this was a full blown doozy of bug-however, I'll take that any day over the "sick" alternative right.  Work showing signs of life and been doing some great racing as we learn the boat.

Now to the vent-Got a frantic call from my mother yesterday afternoon asking how fast I could get to her house as my Aunt took a terrible fall.  Pam and I jet out of here and get to her house to see a sight I haven't seen in 10 years and made me nauseous to be honest.  To drive up and see all the Emergency vehicles all lit up outside as all I could think of was the last time...the day we lost Dad.  Anyway. I pull in behind the Ambulance and get upstairs to find my Aunt had tripped and fallen breaking her leg with a compound fracture of her ankle.  Off to ER-broken in 3 places and in obvious need of surgery.  The pain of resetting an injury like that and the fact they let us stay in the room was awful-A double dose of fentanyl or not, it was hundreds of times worse for her I know!   As bad as that is, I wake this morning to a message of a very successful surgery and things all good.  So under the circumstances that is terrific news.

I must say, there were some things going on in ER that are memories I wish would stay as such-The sounds, the questions, the smells, the pain, the memories YUK!  Have I mentioned how much I dislike Hospitals!

I then get in and check my e-mail.  Here I find a dear friend sending me a message she not going to be making it back here as she had hoped for any of our 30th reunion festivities coming up in June-A diagnosis of her own that has her in the same position I was back in January of 2010-Confused, scared and overwhelmed at what coming at her so quickly.  Hence my need to log in here and as much as I so hate to forward this to a dear friend for their own use, I do in the hopes it may be of use to her and her family.  Unfortunately I've had to do way to many times in the past few months but this particular one generated my vent.  Sorry

Jeff out

Itchy!

A rash and itch is really nothing compared to the scare that cyst prompted earlier this month but I must admit I am getting a little concerned nonetheless. I've developed a really annoying rash on my neck and chest-ironically right in the area of where my radiation treatments took place. Coincidence???

It started a few days after my second MRI as well as a long offshore race on Saturday where I ended up getting a bit of a sunburn. It was quite bad for a few days and was more welts than rash. At the time I was attributing it to a combination of those two things. Here we are two weeks later however and it is still irritating-very itchy and uncomfortable. Fortunately I have a dermatologist appointment on Monday as at my last follow up with that Doctor back in January, he noticed a small basil cell that needs to be removed. At the time it was a non event so he just scheduled it to be removed at our next follow up her on Monday. In the interim however, it too has grown larger and become quite annoying itself so of course my brain playing all kinds of tricks to any association to any of this.

If it isn't one thing it's another all of the sudden. GRRR!

Unnecessary Stress but a reality check as ALL G!

ALL CLEAN!!!! Mahalo everyone for your thoughts and prayers but it is now official-this event has been a non-event and I'm happy to say I STILL TAKE PRETTY PICTURES and all G!...an interesting find but negative on what matters most! Now that was some stress I don't care to repeat yet it is interesting how instances such as this tend to give you a bit of a slap in the back of the head on reality and your own mortality and remind you maybe things spinning a bit too fast and I need to remember to take things slow and literally.

We kind of knew this Friday but it has still been a bit nerve wracking awaiting the results but turns out the only incident of concern was my challenge in the MRI Tuesday. The resulting reports from this second scan show this to be a non cancer related issue of any kind!!! There most certainly is a cyst like mass formed under my right clavicle however it does not light up and that is A GOOD THING!!!! Upon further review, we find there has even been previous mention of it in some of my previous scans. Apparently Ive had this for some time as we have now also been able to detect other shoulder and rotator cuff damage and scaring from a previous shoulder injury........That's awesome news of course under the specific circumstances as only concerned with the stuff that can kill you yet it makes one wonder as I've never had any prior shoulder injuries to speak of. Sure with years of volleyball, paddling, surfing and swimming, Ive had my share of stingers but nothing that ever put me in an ER or a sling like I was so good at with knees and ankles-LOL. Apparently however, i have in fact done some significant damage over the years and he actually suggested I go see my Ortho. I have absolutely no difficulty nor pain so when the Ortho calls me, and he will, this ought to be interesting.

Anyway the bottom line here is after a week of stress and reminders, to hear him say "everything looks great and see you in 4 months" never sounded so good and took a huge weight off said shoulders! Off for a swim-might as well exercise and stretch it a bit right! LOL

That was a first~!

Never pushed the bail out button before!

Had my shoulder MRI today and they were very busy-A lot of Corrections guards so must have been prisoner day but they put me in the first machine that opened up-not the normal beast I'm used too and I swear this is the kiddie machine-I didn't know they made them that small and I didn't even fit. My feet were off the end, they had to wrap me like a mummy with my arms at my sides and hands coming over my stomach and I still barely able to slide in. The top of the tube so close to my face too that I admit I think I actually had a bit of an anxiety attack. I'm usually nor claustrophobic but this one freaked me out and I had to push the button and have them get me out for some air-very unsettling feeling. Uuggh. They fit me with a very small mirror as a regular one wouldn't fit and I was able to finish the scan but that was a first.

Anyway-the specific areas have their pictures and now I sweat it out a bit until I meet with the Doc on Thursday to hopefully put this little speed bump behind me!

Back Thursday

Don't do that again please!

A less that pleasant 24 hours for me folks and an incredibly anxious morning here but this may have been an unnecessary scare.

I missed the call while in the shower getting ready for work. I called back within 3 or 4 minutes and he was on the phone. I obviously have been overly anxious and scared to be honest, so missing this call was not what I wanted to do. This kind of uncertainly and fear can make the brain a very busy creative machine, and not for the best in this case. Ive never ever broached the thought of having to deal with this again.

Long of the short is I've been pacing the house all morning never letting my cell phone out of my sight and called back twice. Finally, here it is lunch and we finally talked-Here's the deal and we can pretty much take it as a big sigh of relief!

Granted not completely out of the woods BUT-the general consensus here from him, the radiologist that reviewed the MRI originally as well as my ENT is that it is probably nothing more that a calcium buildup or cyst. The fact that he learned I never broke my collar bone nor tore up my shoulder playing volleyball didn't make him happy as that pretty much rules out calcium from previous injury. That, and the fact it didn't show in my September scan so he's going the cyst route. The radiologist feels all is fine but says we can do a targeted scan of the area to get a better look so we're ordering another MRI for me next week Tuesday that focuses on the areas of interest in the shoulder to ensure instead of assume.

I'M OK with this train of thought.

Need to breathe and relax through this process but sounds like the most prudent course of action just to be safe. From there he may go in and drain and/or biopsy. He very positive this is no big deal and a non event but we'll go through the process to be sure.

WHAT A RELIEF and I'm very confident be even better by the end of next-Again keep you posted

Houston....PLEASE NOT AGAIN!

SHIT! First speed bump ever!

Ive been quite anxious for the past few days-something I saw in the mirror while being scanned last week been nagging me and guess that intuition was right. The Doc walked in this morning as it was my follow up on last weeks scans-I instantly feel something not right as he is usually quite festive yet this time very serious asking how I have been. He was going to call me back in February as he got a copy of my blood work from another Doc visit and apparently I was showing really poor numbers and anemic. So wehre was that call????? We quickly determined that vampire visit was done coming off the flu I had earlier in the year and as today's blood is fine, that one was dismissed.

The problem lies in my MRI-There is a mass about the size of a marble that has been detected under my right clavicle near the socket and he not pleased.

NEITHER AM I!

He read the radiologist report that implies that it could simply be a cyst as it didn't light up but he showing concern-Will call the radiologist and compare all my pictures and make a determination of what is next and promises to get back to me tomorrow.

I'm not a happy camper-I haven't has so much as a blemish on any of my scans since this ordeal was completed. Admittedly scared as hell right now and the anxiety isn't good for me.

Stand by!

Time for another photo op!

Well six months must be the magic number as going into the Biq Q this morning for another round of scans. The Doc's ordered another full work up before my next follow ups with them starting next week-Time for the earphones and headphones to try drown out the incredible noise these MRI's make-Not looking forward to being locked up with all the head gear to be honest but at least they have a mirror so I can see out-Too much deja vu to the dungeon during treatment! YUK. Little anxious of course as no reading until the Oncologist next week but I'm off!

Wish me luck!

Been a while but Im still here!

Well its been even longer than I thought and had a few difficuties rememerbing how to navigate around. Anyway, figured it out so as my Aunt Lee was recently in town and asked that I try keep up with this a bit more......here we go! First off-it may be February already but Happy New Year! I hope everyone's 2012 off to a good start. Hadn't realized it had been since October since my last post-I did say that no news is good news so wouldn't bore anyone with the trivial aspects of daily life and apparently I haven't-LOL although that is a good thing. That said, I did just go in for my first real check up this year with my ENT. I had an Oncology check up back in January but that was just to kick the tires-he won't have a real follow up with new scans for a few months yet. The ENT visit however, a big poke and prod session, the whole arthroscopic scope through the nose and down into the back of the throat....charming I know BUT has to be done and what truly matters is it all checked out with flying colors-She continues to be very pleased. She still keeping me on an 8-12 week leash for follow ups though mid year, then she may extend put to every 6 months. We made it past the 1st hurdle of the first year but she very good on keeping tabs for the first TWO years before she feels comfortable stretching out the follow ups. I'm still OK with this thank you.

We spent much of our visit talking about opening day tomorrow as it is the opening of our racing and boating season here. Not only does she have that beautiful catamaran I mentioned last year, we too have a new race boat to play on this season (pictured) Hehe! Locomotion, and considering I sail with a clinical psychiatrist, the name couldn't be more appropriate! There is a brunch, parade of boats through a blessing and then we'll go have ourselves a buoy race off Waikiki. Now that she getting more acclimated with her new toy and already had plans to take her boat out with some friends and relax, she got all excited about the event and going home to talk to her husband and see if they can get into the parade festivities. They will probably forgo the race portion of the day but we're all looking forward to a Saturday on the water!

With that, I'll be signing out as the important info duly reported! Ill try be back before another 3 months pass! Have a great weekend!

Fatigue!

Been a while since I've posted as really nothing of interest to post-well that's not exactly true, lots of interesting things from sailing and Lisa fun, to work issues I could vent for days on so let's change that statement to read, nothing of health relevance to report-No doctors, no episodes and all good on the health front fro the most part. That said, and maybe they are related, as I seem to have locked into my weight at the 200# mark which is fine, however, every time I slightly tilt over that, and I do not want too BTW as this is my slef imposed cap, I get very fatigued and tired. I seem to tip over when I cant get in the water for a few days and that makes sense-lack of exercise would attribute to both these issues. What did dawn on me however, and I need to bring it up at my next appointment is we have never adjusted my Syntrhoid dosage and from what I understand, that in itself could be the culprit.

A good workout in store for the afternoon and sure that will help!