Some news today, and yet I still wait for a definate diagnosis!

My mind is still collecting itself from my trip to the doctor today.  Is it natural to leave the doctor office with your thoughts whirling around in your head?  Okay, let's back up... I went into the doctor office with my sister and waited, waited, and waited for the doctor to come into the room.  I turned to Gloria and said, "You will probably have to visit me in the hospital later today.  I will be the one heavily medicated, so that I will not go ballistic, when the doctor finally gets into this room and tells me that my results are not in."  After a few more minutes both she and I were nervously laughing, thinking "no way" would that happen again. 

The doctor came in... keep in mind this is the doctor who is really trying to get things in motion for me.   I really don't want to be rude to him, so I keep telling myself to be patient.  Yes, I am still a work in progress regarding patience.

After reviewing news he has already given me, the doctor says he is still waiting for the pathology report on my genetic testing.  It should be in by the end of the week.  Did I hear that right?  Then to put a positive spin on the visit, he again theorized that once he knows exactly what type of B Cell Lymphoma I have, he can plan the proper Chemo treatment.  Most likely it will be one of three or four cancers he is considering.  If the report comes back as he thinks, the treatment will probably be Chemo once every three weeks, for a total of six treatments.  The day after each Chemo treatment I will be going in for a shot, this is to help keep my white cell count up.

After returning home today, I started reading on healingwell.com about this shot for my WBC (white blood cell count).  Even though it wasn't great news, I am one who wants to know what is going on.  Going in mentally prepared helps me. 

I am now waiting for a call confirming an appointment for later this week to install a port ( or portacath).   On Tuesday, 11/23 I have to go in for a port blood draw and see the doctor.  At that time I am supposed to find out my Chemo schedule, which is supposed to begin right after Thanksgiving.

From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia:  A port (or portacath) is a small medical applicance that is installed beneath the skin.  A catheter connects the port to a vein.  Under the skin, the port has a septum through which drugs can be injected and blood samples can be drawn many times, usually with less discomfort for the patient than a more typical "needle stick"...  ...The port is usually inserted in the upper chest, just below the clavicle or collar bone, leaving the patient's hands free.

 

Images from righthealth.com 
My brother-in-law says that having a port is really helpful for him.  Less pokes for me is always a nice thing.  He also told me there is a trick to breathing in and out when poking the needle into the port.  If he does it right, no pain is felt.  Yes, I am for that!



Tonight I am thinking how blessed I am.  This news of cancer could be so much worse than it is.  Yes, I will always have it; have to watch over it; do treatments for it; take medication; feel side effects; but, I will learn to live with it and the emotional baggage it carries.  Did you note that word live?

I point blank asked the doctor today what I was looking at in longetivity.  He, of course can't give me exacts, but said with low grade lymphoma worst case five years.  Or... ten+ years!  I am looking at the ten plus years for me.  I will need that much time to finish all of my quilting projects I have begun!

Jeremiah 29:11

"For I know the plans I have for you," declares the Lord, "plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future."  NIV