And the beat goes on...

Ok, lets get things into perspective here Catrinka. Gather my thoughts and try to make sense of it all...

My PET/CT went as usual. NPO after midnight, scan in the morning, accompanied by Rand to the diagnostic center I am escorted to the treatment area. I consumed the isotope yummy milk shake (really they're kinda good) the night prior and was presented with another bottle (coffee mocha) and an IV upon arrival. I sit in the thrown with a heated blanket presented by my male nurse full of gab and enough silliness to ease my painful thoughts. He is also the best IV starter in the whole wide world. He tells me to 1-2-3 cough and in goes the needle when I cough. The needle goes in fast and painless. A little trick he learned when he used to start IV's on children. I at this moment feel child like. I am presented with a stack of magazines. I choose my magazine with great discretion. "Home and Garden" has a nice connotation doesn't it? One of my dreams before I leave this earth is to live in the country with mountains surrounding, bumble bee's and honeysuckle and a big garden to nurture and play in. Get my hands immersed in Gods soil and consume the healthy God given fruit of the earth. I thumb through the pages precariously, trying not to absorb myself in this de ja vue. The tech comes in to inject me with the the radioactive cocktail and I drift to sleep. I am to wait an hour and then have the scan. I am awakened by the tech telling me it's time...gee whiz, I had just started dreaming. I was planting my garden on a warm sunny spring day. Our dogs were playing and the birds were fluttering and singing. Rand was beside me and we were laughing as I held the soil in my hands and watched it's richness slide through my fingers. I am then escorted to the bathroom to empty my bladder and then to the PET/CT scan. This is all too familiar. I don't cry like I used to, don't get anxious. Just lay silent and still in hope and prayer. I am shivering and another heated blanket is laid caringly over me. I am again injected with dye. I feel the warmth of the dye consume me from my perineum to my tippy toes and then my arms and face get a rush of warmth. It feels warmer this time, like grandmothers quilt consuming me from the inside out. After about 40 minutes of scanning I am assisted off the table, gather my requested copy of the scan and Rand and I are on our way for breakfast. We are both starving.

I have an appointment scheduled with Dr. Martin on Nov 18th at which time I will get my results. Several days later I get a call from Dr. Martin...there is an area in my right lower pelvis that reacted. We have been watching an area that up to this point was felt to be scar tissue from my hysterectomy. But, I already know what his words mean. If it reacted, it's cancer. He wants me to have a biopsy. I am scheduled for the following Monday which is 2 days before my appointment.

NPO after midnight again...I arrive at the hospital as scheduled. Rand and my in-laws are with me. My mother in law and I giggle and act silly. Both of us trying to hide the fear. I get my blood drawn and then am taken to CT for the CT guided fine needle biopsy. Sounds fancy schmancy doesn't it? I undress and don my cotton hospital gown and walk to the scan holding the backside together to cover my rump. I climb onto the scan table and notice that my socks are inside out. Heavens to Betsy...I quickly fix them as the tech laughs at me and then I am told to lay on my stomach. I remind the tech that I am here for an abdominal biopsy and am shocked by the posterior approach. I am told that it is safer from the "rear" as one doesn't have to worry about injury to the bowels. How can you biopsy a pelvic lesion through the gluteus? The physician presents himself, he is very kind and remembers me from the lung biopsy. Dr. Goodwin explains the reason for the procedure and I state boldly that Chemo will be out of the question. He asks if I want him to proceed since I have chosen not to have chemo. I tell him yes and that having a definitive diagnosis is important in my treatment decisions. We then proceed. A needle as big around as a garden hose and as long as the flag pole on the white house lawn lies waiting on the sterile tray beside me. I close my eyes to hold back the tears. I am again adorned with an IV and given something to calm my nerves. Next thing I know I have a sharp pain radiating down my leg which I am told is the nerve that the needle is close to. The lab is standing by to receive the specimen and it's over before I know it. Wasn't so bad. Not as bad as the lung biopsy.

I visit my friend and Holistic/homeopathic chiropractic physician that evening. He does a cervical adjustment, counseling and magnetic therapy. I told him that all my faith is in his gift of healing...he reminds me that he is not an oncologist but he will help me the best ways he knows how. He will help to make sure my cells are healthy and I am at a state of homeostasis so I will have the loaded guns to fight my cancer. He tells me "this is war". I am now on a daily regimen of about 15 different supplements that were strategically chosen for me by a very complex and integrated program founded by a group of physicians from oncologists to chemists, chiropractors, researchers and such. The program goes under the name of "Egrets". My supplements were chosen for me as a result of my medical profile. I have been on them for about 5 days at the time of this writing and am beginning to experience the positive benefits. I feel more grounded, more energy, less anxious, inner confidence and vigor. Some of the recommended supplements I am unable to take because of the coumadin I am on. I have that darn history of a pulmonary embolism (chemo induced by the way)and was told coumadin would be my friend for life. I don't think I will accept that. One of my goals is to exchange my coumadin for a natural supplement so I can benefit from every supplement that is recommended. I have stopped taking all of the pharmaceuticals but Coumadin at this point.(My choice by the way) Dr. Dennis and his wife Robin have become dear friends and avid supporters in my fight. I am not only blessed with a knowledgeable caring physician but also of 2 very dear friends which I feel is the greatest blessing.

The plan at this point is dietary supplements, Alkaline diet, magnetic therapy, laser light therapy, physical adjustments, counseling and finding my chi.

I welcome you to travel with me as I faithfully and confidently walk my path to recovery.