Music, maestro!
Once they get me situated in the PET/CT Scanner, they always say "It'll be about 25 minutes" (which, quite frankly, is a LOT shorter than it used to be 20-some-odd years ago!), but there is no clock inside that tunnel for me to check the passing time. There is, however, music and that is how I figure out how long I have left - "Let's see, the average song is about 3 1/2 minutes, so I should hear 7-8 songs during the test, OK we're up to song 4 (Aaackkk - not another One Direction song!), so 3 more to go..." And then I'm done.
Not to keep anyone in suspense - the results were very good, all is stable and the tumor in my rib has even disappeared (it's a funny one that has come and gone several times over the years). So no changes in treatment, other than stopping the bone-strengthening injection for one cycle while they figure out whether or not I'm experiencing the side effect known as "BONJ" (bisphosphonate-associated osteonecrosis of the jaw) - say it with an English accent, it actually sounds kind of cool (Bonj. James Bonj.) No real danger but it is something they look out for when someone is on this medication for awhile and of course it can be problematic if not caught and treated.
So, you ask (you are asking, right?) why so long between PET Scans this time around? Usually I get this every 5 months - this time it was 7 months. What gives? Well, ya gotta love insurance companies. Mine initially denied the procedure because - drumroll, please - I hadn't had an MRI to prove that my cancer had spread. Did they NOT read the file and diagnosis - the one that says "Stage IV metastatic breast cancer?" Apparently not! Never fear, my onc got it straightened out, it just took a little time to do so. No harm, no foul but...do they REALLY think they know better than my doctor what should be done for my case? Rant over - debate amongst yourselves.
Music everywhere 24/7 - a wonderful birthday weekend trip to Nashville with Mary and Patricia (yep, another visit to another rooftop bar!). I fell in love with this city with its Live Music Venues and its Buy 2 Pair Get 1 Free Boot Sales and its Dueling Pianos (they NAILED "It's The End of the World As We Know It") and its Grand Ole Opry and its Pedal Taverns and its denim and diamonds. My only wish is that we could have been joined by the rest of our usual posse - but next time ladies, right?
The top photos are of our "Breaking Cancer" GWB Challenge team, captained by Taryn this year. No more biking (sad face!) but we all either ran or walked the 5K and joined together afterword for a celebratory mimosa (courtesy, as usual, of Joe Tobin). Taryn's team was in the top 20 for fundraising (owing in no small part to Chris's hard work down in FLA) and she aims to do even better than that next year. Music to the ears of all of us trying to survive the devil inside.
I am looking forward to the sight and sound of fireworks tomorrow when we come together as a country to express our thanks for the many freedoms we enjoy. How fortunate we are to be Americans!
Blessings and Love to All.
