WARNING: Some of the Content here may be Objectionable to some. I have this blog labeled as "Adult Only" as a common courtesy for those who may easily be offended by Adult topics such as the Truth, Down to Earth topics, realities of living with Ovarian Cancer and/or any life threatening disease that goes along with it; Sexuality, Medicinal Cannabis, Profanity, and of course plenty of unpleasant body functions are also discussed here. This is a very tough battle for which I don't intend to hold anything back on what I am facing.

This blog is very personal and comes from the heart of a real fighting cancer patient who wishes nothing more than to live for all of those I love my own will to live, and my love of life. While sometimes I might be on heavy medication (prescribed by my doctor) and occasionally I might write about things or subjects that one may never even think about or consider; so please consider that as well. Yes; whacked out things might even be found here; but I mean everything in all good intentions.

This blog is not at all intended for the faint hearted, those who lack a sense of humor, have no idea what down to earth means, greedy mean people, and/or those who don't know how to share the world with others, and especially those who are unable to easily put themselves into the shoes of others. This blog is mostly about my journey of living my life in the best ways that I can under the Golden Rule and appreciating all of the GOOD KHARMA that comes my way! Never take anything in this world for granted; especially family and friends!

Wednesday, November 26, 2008

CAT Scan Today and more Cleaning to do!

Well this morning I saw there was a message on my phone from the Radiology department inquiring about setting up an appointment for a CAT scan, so I returned the call to find out if I could get my CAT scan rescheduled. I was supposed to have one a few weeks ago but it had actually not been scheduled and we kind of wanted to wait before putting more nuclear stuff in my body. If you do CAT scans more often, it kind of makes the cancer go a little crazy and makes it grow some more. That's why we decided to wait and my tummy got a little better for a little while as I took a small break from the Etoposide. (only 9 pills left) I am still getting abdominal blocks so hopefully we can find out what is causing those.

I talked with a receptionist on the phone and she warned me that I would need to fast for about 4 hours (which I was already nauseated from the chemo of yesterday and last night) and would certainly not be eating anything for at least a couple of hours, "so no problem for me if you have an appointment for today". She happened to have an appointment at 1:30pm and it was 10:30am so I needed to burn rubber, jump in the shower and put on my CAT scan outfit (no wires or metal) which consisted of a T-shirt and sweatpants. Once at the hospital, I would then need to go to the pharmacy and pick up the Barium solution.

Since we had some beautiful rain today, I decided not to bring Miss Blue Belle with me to the hospital. It was raining pretty hard when I got to the hospital but I loved every minute of it. I just kept my mind on how pretty snow must be in Tahoe.

I finally got to the pharmacy and waited for about half an hour for my prescription of Barium Solution (berry flavored- 250ml) and just in time to start drinking it at 12 noon, the second bottle to start at 12:45pm. I read through my magazines and even talked to my mom on the phone for most of the hour and then signed in at 1pm. I had another half hour to kill before I needed to go in for my CAT scan.

Once 1:30pm rolled around I was brought to back area where the CAT scans, restrooms, dressing rooms, and waiting areas were and sat for a few minutes and waited. I was sitting there for a few moments and then a very friendly nurse called my name and since I was already ready brought me in for my IV. Once I got my IV I was led to the area where the CAT scan machine was. I asked the really nice technician if she would mind snapping a few shots of me getting my CAT scan for this very blog. She very kindly obliged and took these wonderful shots.

We talked some as I was getting ready for the actual CAT scan and she told me of a friend of hers who is surviving quite strongly from the very deadly Pancreatic Cancer for 5 years which I have never heard of anyone surviving that long with that type of cancer. This woman was incredible and gave me a tremendous amount of hope and inspiration to beat this disease that I have. How I love people like this. It really was very inspirational to talk with this technician. I am sure she has seen quite a bit in her line of work but her being so positive with me and treating me as a human made all the difference with me.

Getting a CAT scan is a trip. You first have to get the IV inserted which is quite a challenge with my overworked veins. The needle used is slightly larger than the one used for my chemo treatments. I will eventually have to get a port installed but for now, I'm OK. Unbelievably after all this time, my veins are still working, just a little harder to find.

Once inside the CAT scan machine, you have to lay on a thin table with comfy pillows in which to place your legs (legs facing the machine) and of course pillows for your head. Its not a completely hard table; its all padded. Your arms have to be above your head and while you are being scanned, a computer voice tells you "Breath", then "hold your breath", the table that you are lying on moves forward into the machine as you close your eyes and listen for the instruction to Breath again and you can even feel the IV wires pulling (not hard, just gently). As it moves and gets to a certain point, you hear "Breath" and with a sigh of relief. I think it scanned my body twice and then the trippy IV stuff goes in and makes you feel warm down there and as if you are about to pee your pants, but you don't. Kind of hard to describe but that's exactly it.

I hope the results are great and a miracle happens and I am cured of cancer. It certainly won't hurt to image that right? Lots of prayers are needed and now I can focus on my Dad visiting this weekend. He will be here tomorrow and I will try to update as we have more and more fun!

So now the planning and cleaning continues! Happy Thanksgiving to all of you!


6 comments:

Theresa said...

I want to wish you and your family a wonderful Thanksgiving. Also sending you good vibes and lots of prayers.
I hope everything turns out perfect for you!

With Love Hope and Prayers
Theresa

The Jules said...

Best of luck with the results - I love the description of the scan and the drugs.

To take your mind off it, I've nominated you for the incredibly deep and meaningful one-word meme that seems to be doing the rounds of the blogs at the mo, if you fancy.

http://gravelfarm.blogspot.com/2008/11/one-word-meme-sucker.html

Best wishes
the Jules

Eva Caroline said...

happy thansgiving...

Michael Horvath said...

My first visit to your blog - my thoughts will now be with you. You have a great outlook and your positive attitude shows. Thank you for your inspiration.

Anonymous said...

Thank you for your transparent honesty. From one cancer patient to another - it is heartwarming. My thoughts and prayers are with you.

~ Lori

Anonymous said...

Happy Thanksgiving to you and get well soon!

Cheers!
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Disclosure

My techniques and treatments work simply for me and may not produce the same results for others. Cancer is a very tricky disease in which it is very different in everyone it touches. No two cancers are the same just as we humans are not the same. What works for me may not work for others.

I love life and expect to live for as long as I can. I intend to use those treatments that do work for me which includes medicinal cannabis. I'm still alive with this disease over 7 years later because of this miracle plant and as long as I have my medicine available; I intend to survive many more years. I hope one day the Federal Government will eventually grow up and be led by true leaders who represent the people and not just coorporations; real people who live by the Golden Rule "treat others how you would want to be treated". I also hope the Government of the US can finally learn to admit that it has made a mortal mistake in making this life saving plant which is provided by GOD and does indeed have the ability to provide all of us with food, fuel, clothing, shelter, and medicine; a mistake that have made is that it is illegal. Yes, it was a mistake out of greed, ignorance, and racism that this miracle plant is illegal. This is a confirmed fact and we should all know and face it.

Cannabis is not at all harmful and in fact quite the opposite. Perhaps our economy can once again grow as it has in the turn of the century by making this life saving plant legal once again.

The contents of this blog including all images, (except images from third parties) and the name "Shopping Kharma - what comes around goes around" belong and copyrighted to C. Jayne Armstrong 2008-2010
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