Patty's epic adventure

8/26/24 - Monday I got my ctDNA results back this morning.  There is NO sign of my old cancer.

 8/25/24 - Sunday I haven't heard from anyone to schedule my x-rays or MRI, nor have I heard any results from my blood test 1-1/2 weeks ago.  I need to know those results before I leave for MD Anderson this Thursday.  I went to the cardiologist last Thursday.  They listened and I had an EKG - again.  They love to do those.  They get a whole 6 seconds of information from those things.  They must be wonderful.  They spend 20 minutes hooking me up and taking everything off for that tid bit of info.  It truly must be priceless.  Well, since 6 seconds isn't quite enough for them, they gave me a heart monitor to wear for 2 weeks - only, I can't put it on until I'm done with all the MRIs and crap first.  They can't do an ultrasound with it on, either, so I'll have to give it a go after I get home from Houston.  My heart will be beating normally by then and I'll have to stay out of the pool for 2 weeks for nothing.  This is gonna ...

  8/21/24 - Wednesday We just got back from Shreveport, where I had to go for my eye appointment.  I saw a neuro-ophthalmologist.  I like him a lot, so that's the good news.  Ok, I'm done.  Cause that's all my good news. Well, poop. I guess I'll tell you the rest.  I spent 3 hours there taking all kinds of tests.  Some were new, some old, and they had to dilate me twice.  When I got out, I was as blind as a bat  and looked like I was on drugs..  Good thing David took me.  He went shopping most of the time I was in my appointment so he didn't have to sit there the whole time.  I had cataract surgery over a year ago, then a YAG laser procedure to fix that cause I couldn't see well enough.  Then I went to Dallas to a specialist there and had a Vitrectomy.  That's a procedure where they take out all the fluid in your eyeball so it goes flat and then they fill it up with trillions of tiny bubbles to make your eye round aga...

 8/16/24   Friday I went to my new oncologist today.  My old one retired and left me with Katrina Glover, M.D.  I like her and we got along great.  She has a wonderful sense of humor and likes to laugh.  Of course, I told her a story.  She said she wanted one at every visit.  Little does she know...... She ordered a chest x-ray and one of my left leg.  Two tender spots we can't figure out.  My leg has been giving me a lot of grief this week and sleep has been hard to come by.  Not sure when those will be scheduled and I have a busy week next week.  I have to go to Shreveport for my eye appointment on Tuesday and I see my cardiologist on Thursday.  David and I will be leaving on Monday afternoon for Louisiana and will come back Wednesday morning.  My appointment is supposed to last approx. 4 hours and I will be dilated. She said my blood clots are still there and to just be patient with my recovery.  Right....

 8/12/24 - Monday I have neglected to write for awhile.  My bad.  I went to the doctor for my hospital follow-up last Thursday.  She said the same thing the nurse did - I'm too impatient.  I gotta give it more time.  Sigh.  I'm tired of giving it more time.  I'm still coughing up green stuff, but she said that was good.  I'm getting it out of my lungs.  yay.   I rode my recumbent bike 5.5 miles yesterday and walked in the pool 500 yards.  I should've stopped at 400.  I did too much and paid for it last night.  My legs were aching - big time.  I'm staying inside and out of the heat unless I'm in the pool or just getting the mail or something.  I water my plants in the backyard in the evening after the sun sets.  I don't even get in the pool until it's all in the shade.  The pool was 96 degrees the other day.  Gads.  I'm not exercising today.  Taking a day off to let my legs get b...

8/7/24 - Wednesday  FYI: I just cut my toenails, so don’t ask me to do anything else for the rest of the day. Old people will get it.

  8/6/24 - Tuesday  I did not write yesterday. It was a slow day for me. Pretty tired. However, since it was Monday, everybody was open again. I called to talk to the nurse about my disappointment at my healing progress. She told me over and over that this is perfectly normal and I need to be more patient. I thought I would bounce back by now and I’m getting discouraged. Patience is not my middle name, but I will give it my best shot. All of my symptoms are still present and I don’t see the doctor until Thursday. Home health is coming this morning. If I have another 30 something nurse that keeps telling me it’s slower for senior citizens, I just may slap her. I have not gotten back in the pool because I feel too unsteady. I have, however, walked around and around and around the inside of my house. I did a load of laundry yesterday, and I have wiped out my microwaves and ovens. I took a lot of breaks doing that, but it felt good to actually get some things done. A friend came t...

  8/4/24 - Sunday  Today is Jessica‘s birthday. I hope she has a lovely day. Yesterday I was kind of slow, but in the late afternoon, three neighbors came over to walk with me in the pool. They helped me get in and out. I walked very, very slowly, But I kept it up for quite a while. I did not want to try it alone the first time, so the company was very welcome. I feel better today than yesterday. I half assed cleaned three bathrooms this morning. I did it in stages and rested in between, but it felt really good to get something accomplished. I am getting impatient with the rate of my progress. I thought this would go a lot faster. I am still so tired, get fevers that come and go, my brain is like mush. My eyes are cloudy, can’t smell, can’t taste. I have very little energy. it’s hard to get motivated to do just about anything. My cough is getting better, but I’m coughing up green stuff now. I’m done with the antibiotics and steroids, but tomorrow is Monday so I can call to ask...

  8/2/24 - Friday  I am getting stronger each day, but it’s pretty slow going. I do my breathing exercises every day and try to walk around the house. I sit for a while, and then get up and move for a little while. I have done laundry and emptied the dishwasher, and a few other mundane chores. I am slow, but sure. I’m still very tired and breathing is sometimes a bit challenging. My cough is loose now, so hopefully productive. I can go get the mail by myself now. I walk very slow, but I get the job done. I have felt well enough to be by myself and not be uncomfortable. I sent David to Arkansas with Courtney to go camping for a week. I was supposed to go, but I’m definitely not up to that yet. I have close, neighbors and friends that can help, if needed. All I have to do is call. They will be home next Thursday, and by then, they will see a big difference in me. I’m sure of it. No pool parties, no, piña colada’s, no nothing. I’m just going to be boring and rest up and heal. Hom...