Well, I had the most wonderful weekend with an old friend. We hadn't been together for probably 25 years -- we couldn't even decide when we last saw each other -- but we just picked up like it had been no time at all. Didn't do much except talk, talk, talk, and veg and eat. Truly a delicious time!
She left at the end of the day on Monday, and Tuesday was my first appointment with the oncologist. I guess I can't actually claim to be right yet, but he said it is "highly probable" that I have myeloma. I think the actions of every professional that I've been involved with regarding this have hinted somehow to me that they suspected cancer. So I did, too. Blood and urine samples were left to be analyzed and will hopefully lead to a definitive diagnosis. 26 x-rays were taken -- a full body scan. They will be used to find any other spots of the myeloma. There are already at least 2. My return visit is next Monday when I will hopefully get a definite diagnosis. If I come back negative for the myeloma from the labs on the samples, he'll do a needle biopsy of the bone marrow on Monday to try to determine just what it is. No matter what, I am having trouble with this stuff. Even if it isn't cancerous, it isn't what I'd call "benign." The doc advised being very careful as it will be easy to break a bone.
My dear friend Chris went with me and will also go with me next Monday. We, of course, wanted to talk about every possibility, but the doctor, also of course, wanted to take one step at a time. We asked about treatments and he indicated the usual cancer treatments are typically in play, but when Chris tried to pin him down, he refused to speculate, saying we need to know the diagnosis first. He did say though that it is very treatable.
Mostly I feel okay about it, no matter what comes. I do keep thinking about future plans, which isn't helpful now. I need to stay optimistic and not plan for the worst case, but I have a need to have everything in order. From thinking about where to receive treatment to choosing a new durable power of attorney/executor of my will to homes for the doggies to making my house more habitable for a recovering person. I need to get a recliner so that I can sleep downstairs if I can't make it up to the bedroom. Today I called the plumber to goose them up, a dog fence seller and found someone to install it, spent about an hour with him figuring out how to install it, someone who has been to Cancer Treatment Centers of America, 3 people at the hospital about a bill that doesn't seem right, had Dyan bring groceries (so sweet!), and started looking for front hook bras and button-front shirts because my left shoulder hurts to dress. Also called my brother, my employer at Graceland, and a friend to tell the news. And I called Renea to see if she could come and work every Wednesday instead of every other. That way I can get clean sheets on the bed each week, plus I'm sure I'll find other chores for her. TCB was the theme of the day. haha I need a better method of watering the plants on my deck, so I experimented with that, too. No wonder I am tired!
It's almost 6pm and I'm overdue for a dip in the pool. That's the next item on my agenda, then some dog brushing, some dinner, a little meditation time, maybe some TV and then sleep, sleep, sleep. :)
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