Lucky me

I've always thought that I was lucky.  I often say to people that "it's better to be lucky than good".  Well, I'm lucky.  And, luckily, I'm pretty good too so that helps.

In the few days since I heard that I have cancer, it has been a blur of letting the ones closest to me know about it, working, googling, listening, and learning.  Wednesday, when I was still in shock, I called as many people close to me as my phone battery would allow to tell them the news.  I wanted everyone to know what I now knew.  Thursday, I went into work, told all my co-workers and called a few more people.  Friday, work again, then left a bit early and drove over to Huntsman Cancer Institute to check it out.  What a phenomenal place!  Wow!  In my brief visit there I got some good information and a good visual of what it would be like to get treatment there.  Then, it was off to InterMountain Cancer Center.  It was close to 5, so they seemed to be shutting down.  That wasn't as productive.  I'll probably stick with Huntsman...... we'll see.   I'll have more news on Monday after my PET/CT scan.

I have been dazzled by the love and support coming from all directions.  It warms my heart and gives me the strength I know I'm going to need to fight this.  Right now, I feel positive and optimistic.  That's just me.  I am so lucky.  I am lucky to have a phenomenal husband who I know will be there for me every step of the way.  Lucky to have great friends and family to support me through this "blip".   I'm lucky to be in SLC, UT where we have the most premier cancer care in the nation.  I'm also lucky that Willie had to get a colonoscopy because if he didn't, I probably wouldn't have booked my appointment.  I mean, heck, I'm not even 50.  Yet!  Thank goodness he made me do it when we were there that day.  Lord knows I tried to cancel that appointment twice.  So, I am very lucky they found my cancer...... instead of who knows when down the road when it might be too late.   And, because I'm lucky, maybe it's in an early stage.  I hate waiting to find out what happens next.

Last night I woke up at 3am and googled "PET/CT scan".  I was driving around yesterday when I got my instructions on preparing for it Monday at 8:30 am.  Apparently, they don't have any email instructions they can send, so I just had to remember them.  I feel more comfortable if things are written down.  Starting tomorrow morning here's the rules I must follow to prepare for it:  no caffeine, no cholesterol, no sugar, no fruit, no soda, no strenuous exercise (which also includes lifting grocery bags.  Since when is lifting grocery bags strenuous?).  That is a lot of "no's" for me to hear.  So what can I eat?  Apparently protein and broccoli.  Whatever!  At least I can eat and not drink that nasty stuff you have to drink with a colonoscopy prep.  Ewww!  

So I googled.  I found a pretty good site that explained the process to me.  I'm not sure if I'll be actually talking to the cancer doctor on Monday or if this full body xray thingy is just the first step in my impending series of appointments to explore the treatment of my cancer.  Here's some information from:  http://www.petscaninfo.com/zportal/portals/pat/petct_basics

"Positron emission tomography (PET) and computerized tomography (CT) are both state-of-the-art imaging tools that allow physicians to pinpoint the location of cancer within the body before making treatment recommendations. The highly sensitive PET scan images the biology of disorders at the molecular level, while the CT scan provides a detailed picture of the body's internal anatomy. The PET/CT scan combines the strengths of these two well-established imaging modalities into a single scan.

A CT scan is able to detect and localize changes in the body structure or anatomy, such as the size, shape and exact location of an abnormal growth, a sizeable tumor or a musculoskeletal injury.

A PET scan is very different from an ultrasound, X-ray, MRI, or CT scan. A PET scan allows the physician to distinguish between living and dead tissue or between benign and malignant disorders. Since a PET scan images the biology of disorders at the molecular level, it can help the physician detect abnormalities in cellular activity at a very early stage, generally before anatomic changes are visible.

Alone, each imaging test has particular benefits and limitations but by combining these two state-of the-art technologies, physicians can more accurately diagnose, localize and monitor cancer, as well as heart disease and certain brain disorders."

Sounds like they will inject the stuff into me, then I lay still for an 45 minutes to an hour, then the scanning begins for an hour.  The proper medical language is that the PET technologist administers the radiostope.  I guess I better get used to the terms.  I'm starting with one a day. I have a gigantic learning curve. 

I spent the morning reading Mary Nichols entire blog.  She's a local morning and noon news anchor on CBS affliate, channel 2 news.  I watch channel 2 news every morning and love the people, Ron Bird, Mary Nichols, Debbie Worthen and Casey.  They are a funny, informative and awesome way to start my mornings.  Anyway, I didn't even know that Mary had cancer.  I must have missed the days they did her mammagram etc.  I thought it was kind of weird that one day her hair was longer than the day before.  I thought to myself, "hair extensions".  But no.  It was cancer.  The way I found out was there was a realtor event on April 6th which is called "Bras for a Cause".  It's a fundraiser for Women's Council of Realtors" each year.  They talk a bunch of cute realtor and mortgage guys into a wearing and modeling funky bras and everyone bids on them to raise money for breast cancer.  Some of the bras go for over $3000!  Mary was the guest speaker.  I was so impressed with her story.  What an inspirational woman.  She was amazing.  Anyway, I read her whole blog and it brought tears to my eyes.  I am a little fearful from her posts over the chemo treatment but I am grateful to read what others have gone though.


As I said at the beginning, I am lucky.  Lucky to live in this age when there is so much information online.  Thank you to Mary for her blog and positive insight into her breast cancer treatment.  Lucky for the prayers and love of so many wonderful people.  I can't believe how lucky I am!  Thank you.