The practical information: I had a CT scan on Friday followed by a doc appointment with my oncologist. Scans were good, so I got the official all clear that I'm finished treatment and can get my port removed! I don't have to go back to the oncologist until March! But the doc did say that they found a "bone change" in my T1 in my spine. She emphasized that it was not cancer related and that they went back to look at my previous CTs and the changes were also present in those scans. She said she just "wanted me to know" in case I ever had back issues. I told her that I've had a lot of back issues -- mainly herniated discs. She didn't seem to think it was related. After she told me not to worry, I added it to the top of my list of "Things to Worry about Post-Cancer." Back to the port. After several calls with scheduling people at CHOP, I've learned that I can't get my port removed at CHOP because I'm not a child. Funny how this whole being-an-adult thing is only just becoming an issue now. But my doc is working on getting me scheduled for a port removal at HUP right next to CHOP. I'm antsy to get old port-a-pot out ASAP because as soon as that happens, I can switch to oral blood thinners for my blood clot. And boy oh boy am I looking forward to not sticking myself with a needle twice a day, everyday! I'm running out of places to stick myself, my stomach and arms are so covered with bruises. Anywho, it's coming out soon, hopefully! Next on the to-do list is a cardiology apt, echo, and EKG on Thursday to make sure my heart didn't suffer too badly from the poisonous chemo and to check up on my blood clot. (P.S. forgot to mention that they did my post-chemo Pulmonary Function Test, and my lungs are doing just fine, although most people probably beg to differ if they ever saw me attempt any sort of cardio workout.) Then Tuesday, I meet with a hematologist. I think that's also because of my blood clot. But to be honest, I'm not really sure. Docs, nurses, and schedulers call me and tell me I need to see them or I need this test or that test and I just write it down in my planner. The doc appointments aren't slowing down quite yet, so I'm glad I'm not back at school. But I am SO thankful to be finished treatments. Thinking of all my Gtowners as they start classes today! The random anecdotes about my life: Grandma and I made cookies yesterday. While they were baking, we compare pill boxes. (Mine's all gold and shiny with daily, rainbow-colored boxes inside -- thanks, Becky!) Let's just say, as a 24 year old who went through chemo and is living with her parents, I'm becoming very good at socializing with people outside of my age group. Because...well...I recently suffered from a lot of "old people" problems. This older gentleman at the Y approaches me after a Body Pump class and asked if I'm going through chemo. Hmmm...I wonder why he asks that... I happily tell him I just finished. As I put away my weights, he tells me I'm "much too young to have to worry about that sort of thing." Instead of being the kind,respectful youngin' that I once was and saying something along the lines of, "Oh, it's alright...'Tis life I suppose," I blurt out, "YOU'RE TELLING ME!" He's lucky I didn't add a F***ING HELL to the end of that, as curse words have become a much more common part of my vocabulary than they once had. And here I thought I was in the clear from even having a potty mouth after surviving middle school with not much more than a damn or two. Oh well. I guess cancer will do that to you.
I got very sick just before the new year with a stomach bug of some sort. I was up all night vomiting. Then at 4am when I woke up the whole house with my hurling, my mom called the hospital to ask what to do. They told me they couldn't do a lot and to just "ride it out." So I got off the phone as quickly as possible (somehow I ended up with the phone even though my mom was the one who called -- not sure how that happened) and returned to the bathroom where I belonged. The next day, several nurses called to check up on me. I know they were just doing their jobs, but I let all their calls go to voicemail. I figured if I could "ride it out" and wait, so could they. (I've turned into a resentful SOB, haven't I?! There really was nothing they could do. Not to mention, I was in no condition to be getting in the car and riding even 15 minutes to the nearest hospital.) During my last appointment, my doc made a snarky comment about how I probably picked up the bug while going to the gym with a weakened immune system seeing that I didn't personally know anyone who was sick. She's warned me before about working out too soon and too much. Well played, doc. Well played. Needless to say, my NYE celebrations were delayed. I held off on the champagne for another night. (I like to think of that stomach bug coming right at the end of the year as 2018's way of squeezing in just one last kick in the groin.) So if anyone's looking to celebrate the arrival of 2019 again, I'm your girl.
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AuthorI'm Emma. I love food more than anyone will ever understand - specifically cheese, chocolate, bread and pretty much every fat & carb combo you can think of - apple cider donuts, ice cream, the list goes on. Fats and carbs just go so well together. Don't you think? Why is it that when I'm tasked to describe myself, I always talk about food? Anywho, I'm a grad student and rower training studying and training in DC. Here's to having no free time and loving every minute of it (jk...I'll tell you the bad stuff too)! Archives
July 2020
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