A Much Better Day

Whew! Today was a much better day! I had two appointments; one with Dr. Berrey and the other for radiation.

My appointment with Dr. Berrey was successful. He was impressed with the leg's strength and range of motion. Naturally, I couldn't help but show off a little, which got a laugh. Then he challenged me about the flexibility after another two weeks of radiation. The PA, Ms. Wetmore, said "cooking" the leg every day for six weeks will do that to a piece of meat. Funny, in a perverse kind of way.

I have not yet received my appointment for the contrast MRI on the ankle, but Dr. Berrey and Ms. Wetmore decided it could be postponed. Why? Because it will be time for the first of my many three-month contrast MRI's in another four weeks. This is the next phase all cancer patients get to enjoy after initial treatment; periodic x-rays, CT scans, MRI's over the next several years to ensure cancer, any type of cancer, does not reoccur. This includes chest x-rays as this cancer simply loves spreading to the lungs. A very scary prospect for me given my family history.

Here's the tricky part, though. The three-month mark is November 3rd. The last of my radiation treatments is October 31st. Dr. Berrey said that as the radiation will have just been completed, and as the leg will have been cooked to well past well-done, an MRI right around then won't show anything of value. So, they will first meet with me, and then, depending on the condition of my knee, they will decide how long to wait until the MRI will be scheduled. Thus, my ankle won't be x-rayed via MRI for another month to six weeks - along with the knee. To be honest, that is fine by me. I appreciate that my team is considering how difficult the contrast (I.V.) is for me (rolling veins, deep veins, etc.). Besides, they are pretty sure the lump is not indicative of cancer. And, if it is, it's not been growing, so all should be ok for now. Before leaving, though, I was given strict instructions that should the lump change in any way, shape or form, to contact the office ASAP.

Afterwards, it was radiation time. It went well with one minor hitch. For whatever reason, my leg decided it really needed to twitch. It was so frustrating! I so wanted to flex the darned leg! But if I did, we would have to start all over again with the positioning. And flexing the leg wouldn't even ensure I wouldn't want to flex it again! So, I just wiggled my toes, praying the leg didn't move...much. Whew! All done, and that was it!

So, a short post today. The meds are kicking in and I will be soon be sleeping soundly. I want to thank the folks who have been sending postcards, letters and emails and those who have been calling. I really appreciate the encouragement, and I need it too. It really does help.

So, I am off to bed.

Nighty night!