The fun never ends

Last Friday I felt the best I had felt in weeks. To celebrate that and the fact that it's been 12 years since I quit smoking, Ed and I went out to dinner and I enjoyed my first glass of wine in 2009. I was apprehensive about eating my pasta, but I did okay and even ate part of Ed's ice cream tartufo.

I revisited the gynecologist on Friday because things didn't seem quite cleared up and sure enough, the infection persists. Because I couldn't take an oral antibiotic if I was drinking alcohol, I decided to start the medication on Saturday morning. I don't know if I still had wine in my system or whether it was something else, but I was very ill starting just before lunch on Saturday. The feeling persisted through the weekend, although it was mildly better on Sunday. No vomiting, but I was nauseated and had an upset stomach the entire time. Spent most of my time watching television or laying in bed.

Monday morning I had to be at the imaging facility at 9:00 for my brain MRI, which went fine. I also had x-rays taken of my ankle in preparation for my (long overdue) follow-up with Dr. Healey. I finally got to see him almost two hours after my appointment time, and he continues to be pleased with the stability of my new joint. I presented him with an early third anniversary present: photos of me on the Flowrider and the rock climbing wall on Liberty of the Seas. He was pleased to see that I am not letting my surgery hold me back. I doubt I would have thought of trying those activities three years ago, but you only live once, right?!

Today I had my chest/abodmen/pelvis CT scans. The nurse found a vein without a hitch (probably because I cheated and drank a bottle of water on the bus), but the iodine solution I had to drink caused me abdomenal issues, which I haven't experienced in a while. At least I can say that I am no longer constipated, which I always am after chemo treatment.

Thursday I see the radiation oncologist for my follow up and will get the results of my MRI and CT scans. On Feb. 3 I see Dr. K for my follow up. Let's keep our fingers crossed that the bone mets are necrotic, the lung mets are stable, and there is nothing else to see.

Happy birthday to Ian! We hope you have a wonderful day and a fabulous year.

Early bon voyage to Kate and Steve, who are off to the Caribbean on another cruise later this week. I wish we were joining you and hope you enjoy the Journey as much as you do the Quest.

I will be back with an update after my appointment with Dr. Yamada.