No needles! I confess I don’t know exactly what an ode is. I love echocardiograms because there are no needles or IV infusions. Here’s what my experience is for the uninitiated:
echo drawing I found with help from our friends at Google
I’ve rarely had to wait long for this procedure, they are scheduled such that if your echo is at 3pm, you go in at 3pm.
You enter a room with your own personal echo technician. After a few questions tapped into the computer, s/he leaves the room for you to put on the cotton gown. (UCSF always uses cotton gowns instead of paper. I love that.)
The Technician then comes back and and you lie down on a table and the lights go dim. About 3-4 round doodads like big round bandaids get stuck around your midsection and chest and those are hooked up via small cords to The Machine. Then you relax while the technician checks stuff, then waves the magic wand with a bit of gel straight on your skin, but the gel is at body temp. I nearly fell asleep for my last one.
Did I mention?: No Needles!
Meantime back at the ranch:
How am I doing? The truthful answer is I have no idea. Here’s what I do know: I will start the Taxol etc chemo at the end of January. It’s really called paclitaxel. I had this stuff 11 years ago with my first go around with breast cancer. I’ll be part of a Stage 1b study so I can get the second drug that’s not named yet, just letters and numbers. I know that my mets are all growing and most are more metabolicly active, so I’m anxious for the toxic taxol since that will likely truly beat back the mets. For those that are unreasonably hopeful: The taxol will not cure me, but it will buy me more time. Just saying.
For the next two weeks I’m busy with doctor appointments, walking, avoiding all sugar and eating as well as I can, having fun, more doc appts, wig searching, and more. Please suggest fun. I’m open where my schedule is available. And I want a new (to me) small car (mine was rear ended/totaled in October), so that’s another project (looking at Fit, Focus and Prius). Cleaning up piles and ‘stuff’ in my life and house is another project. And so it goes!
ciao for now. -four crying.
ps: 3 fun recent just-because food photos:
Dim Sum in SF at All Seasons: made from Taro and more
Fancy Shiu Mai! the threads on top were
great cut leek photo: taken by friend Michelle D
Julia,
I’ve got all the materials for making driftwood/seashell mobiles. I’ve made two of them. If you would like, you could come over and make a mobile with me. Also Sofia bought FOUR new cookbooks. (It feels like buying 4 new oars for a boat that already has two oars and only two oarlocks). Two of them are called PLENTY and one is all about whole grains. Did you ever read Love, Medicine and Miracles by Bernie Siegel? Happy Monday.
ps what’s the orange hairy stuff on top of the Shu Mai?
thanks for the offer Stew! I’m not that crafty, I’ll confess, but I appreciate the offer… stay tuned. Too many appts right now! xxooo
You are one of my bravest friends. Not because of the cancer, because I don’t believe a disease makes anyone brave. It’s the way we deal with it. Rather, the way we deal with life. And the way you deal with yours is truly remarkable. Not sure how many times I told you but I am beyond words proud to have you as my friend. That’s a very meaningful word that seems to be thrown around far too meaninglessly lately. Here, it is meant in its most literal sense. Love you, Julinha!
ps- Count me in for fun. Loads of it!
xxoooo
It’s the little things: cotton gowns instead of paper. Want to take a walk end of this week or beginning of next? Tell me when you’re free and I will come to you. I have CANDLES!
I will always make time for movies, you KNOW that. Stay tuned. grazie!