Wind On My Scalp

December 31 - Today I got results from CT Scan and interpretation from specialists. My doctor, the hematologist oncologist said, “it is the best case scenario”! YAHOO!!

There was no sign of tumors, growths, cancerous clusters or other crappy things. The “nodule” in my lung that was identified in September as a benign something-or-other was gone … new interpretation is that it was nothing to begin with, just overlapping blood vessels that showed up as a clump on the earlier scan.

Does this mean I’m cured?? Heck no, lots more unknowns and procedures, but I like the way things are looking!

Next Tuesday, Jan 6th (2009 already?), I’ll be back at Virginia Mason to get ‘scoped’ by the urologist. I expect this to be not only a visual cruise through my bladder, but also a flush & lab analysis, plus tissue sampling (biopsy) to get more info on whether I’m clean or not. Following that, I’ll do another round on chemo treatment (Thursday in Seattle, Fri/Sat at home). I still have a second opinion scheduled with UW Medical on Jan 13th … have to think about whether to keep or post pone that. The docs at Virginia Mason will then get to me with next steps. Option A is still bladder removal surgery; Option B is no surgery, just monitor the situation is keep confirming that the cancer is gone.

Keep your fingers crossed for me!

Changing subjects … how about the snow and white Christmas!! For the first time in years, we got snow & it stuck around for over a week. We ended up with 7 to 8 inches at the house. Getting to/from work & shopping was exciting but fine what with our 4 WD & All WD vehicles. Kehlen even made it back 300 miles from Pullman at 40 mph (10 hour drive) on the 19th. Skiing down the lane & sliding on Lauril's old snowboard down our 'bunny' slope were highlights.

Christmas Day was quiet & cozy. We built a fire, opened stockings, then Daren prepared a wonderful dinner (stuffed leg of lamb done to perfection, bean & tomato casserole, leek salad, and grape tort for dessert).

Here’s hoping you have a Happy New Year & that 2009 will be a year of recovery for everyone across the globe.