A Random Ramble

T'is Sunday; another successful Mass with the kidlets :)  I know that being a person of faith will greatly sustain me as I don my cancer warrior cape again.  Okay, I don't actually have a cape, but my fascinator or my tiara will certainly suffice ;)  Turns out I really like my fascinator and am now always looking for an excuse to wear it!  Why wait until I am of advanced years to embrace eccentricity?  Live in the now!!!!  Words to live by, indeed.

So, 4 things (or more?) need to be accomplished before chemo can begin.
  1)  MUGA scan - checks my heart function prior to chemo to get a baseline measurement so post-chemo comparisons can be made to check for any damage.  (So, will heart problems be in my future?  AARGH!  No, I am not really borrowing trouble, just venting.)  I had a MUGA scan before and after my chemo last time. 
  2)  Respiratory test - checks my lung function for the same reasons as above.  I didn't have this test last time.
  3)  Bone marrow biopsy - checks to see if cancer has spread to my bone marrow, and thereby helps the "staging" of the cancer.  There are 4 stages, I, II, III and IV.  By the time I saw my oncologist last time, I was Stage III.  I have no clue where the stage is this time, presumably less as I was already being followed.  Maybe I won't be staged this time?  No clue.  I did have this test last time too.
  4)  PICC line insertion - (Peripherally Inserted Central Catheter)  it's for intravenous access for the chemo treatments.  Bascially it's a tube that's inserted into a larger vein in my arm and is "threaded" through to the subclavian vein that goes to the heart.  I had one last time as well.  *sigh*  It's a little gross to think about too much. Life with a PICC is a bit of a pain, especially when it comes to bathing (gotta keep water out).

I have both my MUGA scan and the respiratory test this Tuesday.  I plan on dropping in at my new oncologist's office (I'll be right there at the HSC complex) to see if they have the dates for the biopsy/PICC line.

Yes, I have a new oncologist.  My original oncologist wanted to consult with the lymphoma specialists to make sure that she had the right treatment plan for me.  I wonder if perhaps she was anticipating this "relapse" and thought it better to send me straight over to the lymphoma group at HSC.  Why wasn't I there to begin with in 2008?  My guess is that it all comes down to the original referral.  (Pull names out of hat?  Haha.)  Or maybe it also depends on the stage of your cancer/health history/etc.  I don't know and don't really care at this point...proverbial water under the bridge. 

I liked my first oncologist.  She's a straight shooter, which can be off-putting to some, but I didn't mind.  My new oncologist is THE lymphoma guy of Manitoba.  That is certainly a big reassurance at this point.  He's very kind and has a great reputation.  He made a great first impression.  (A fun website is rateMDs.com; gives the rating of doctors.  Just google your doctor's name and see what pops up.  FYI:  My new oncologist has a 4.8 out of 5 rating!)

One thing struck me as I typed this post:  "last time" vs. "this time".  Who would have ever thought there would have been a first time, let alone a second time.  (Or is this technically a third time after counting the splenectomy?)  Ugh...UGH. 

Here I am...

...at last in the blogosphere.  I had many times comtemplated starting a blog.  The recent news that I must again battle lymphoma finally spurred me to begin.

This blog will likely serve as an "update central" for the latest and (not so) greatest steps along my new cancer journey.  It's very possible that I will also ramble about other things ;)  Especially now while I am still feeling pretty great.  Feeling pretty great is how I have always felt; which is why it is very difficult to wrap my head around having cancer.

Anyways, that's enough for now.  More details to follow soon.