Post July 4th Hangover...then waiting for a long week to end lol

[bridder01]

Hey everyone! Brian here! Sorry I've been missing in action the last 7 to 10 days, but I've been doing a lot of travelling back and forth to doctor's visits. Living in a rural area is nice and all, but that also means nothing is close by. lol I have to make a 3 hour round trip to the main hospital where ultimately the tumor I have will be removed. Anyhow, here's the latest! lol Last Thursday (July 5), I met with the plastic surgeon to consult what's going to happen on that end. I also finally found out why I need a plastic surgeon. Apparently, when he goes in to remove the tumor, there's going to be a need to do some significant reconstruction of blood vessels, nerve endings and a skin graft once the tumor is removed. So, that appointment went ok, even though it was late afternoon when I went in to see him. I didn't get home until dinner time and at that point I was bushed. So I took all of last weekend to relax. lol Monday and Tuesday this week were nothing special, just tried to enjoy the relatively nice weather we've been having in Northern New Hampshire (We've had almost no humidity this week...THANK GOD! lol). Wednesday I was off to see the radiation oncologist's team to have a CT scan done to map the tumor and the area around it so the oncologist can come up with a radiation treatment plan. Looks like I'm booked to start radiation on August 2nd. Which brings me to the hell that was yesterday lol. I had to leave my apartment at 5:45 AM to make what I thought was going to be a 7:30 AM appointment for an ultrasound on the area around the tumor. The Orthopedic Oncologist, who's overseeing everything in my case, was worried that the tumor might have already spread into the lymph nodes in that area. So I was scheduled to have an ultrasound and a needle biopsy done to double check. Well, get to the hospital with like 15 minutes to spare and I get to where I need to be when they tell me the ultrasound was scheduled for 9:15 AM. I was almost an hour and a half early! lol But I was told I needed to get some lab work taken care of so I went ahead and did that, then got some breakfast and just hung out until it was time for the ultrasound. That went off without a hitch so after that (it's around 10 AM at this point) I had an hour and a half to wait before the appointment for the biopsy (which I had to go check in for at 11:30 for a 12:30 PM appointment). When I got to where I needed to be to check in for the biopsy (I finally just decided to check in at 11 AM), I was told by the receptionist that the biopsy had been cancelled. Well, that was news to me. lol Apparently, the ultrasound department had cancelled it without telling me. So, on the upside, I got to go home early lol. I got a call from the assistant of the orthopedic oncologist this morning wondering if I had cancelled the biopsy. I had to explain to her that by the time I got there to check in for the biopsy it had already been cancelled. So, suffice it to say, there was some confusion at this point lol. She had to go back into my chart and look to see what happened. Apparently, the ultrasound techs looked at the images and determined that the lymph nodes around the tumor were fine and the cancer had not spread into them, hence the decision to cancel the biopsy. Wish somebody had told me this yesterday lol. So, I'm finally on track to begin treatment beginning on August 2nd. 5 weeks of radiation, followed by the surgery after that will probably be either in mid- or late September. I'm kinda bummed about that because that means I'm gonna miss the annual Scottish Highland Games here which takes place up here on the third weekend of September. Man, second year in a row I'm gonna miss it lol. So, that's what's going on with me and the general update lol. This weekend, once again, is going to be trying to relax and get my internal clock reset after yesterday's early start lol. How is everybody else doing? I haven't really had a chance to go back and read my notifications. Tell me how you're doing! I want to hear everything

Your friend,

Brian

[Agora1]

Hey Brian, It sounds like you have a great team behind you and have all your ducks in a row. Well short of the cancelled biopsy, which ended up being a good thing after all.

With the long drives ahead, I would think you have your repertoire of music picked out.

Thank you for updating us as well as the high you give us with your positive posts. Don't forget, it's a two way street and we are here for you as well. x

[bridder01 in reply to Agora1]

Thanks Agora! Just being who I am, that's all

[Agora1 in reply to bridder01]

That turns out to be a pretty amazing person.

We all thank you for your kindness and support.

[bridder01 in reply to Agora1]

Anytime! If anyone ever needs me for anything, I'm here for them

[Strongheartforever in reply to Agora1]

Oh man I’m so relieved the lymph nodes were clear! Sorry you had to deal with all that stress, waiting and worrying. August 2nd this thing starts getting pummeled. Pow zing slap bye bye!! Glad you’ve been resting up. Keep resting and drinking lots of water, preferably with fresh lemon. The tumor won’t like this. Also there’s this breathing technique that oxygenates the body: breathe in deep through your nose and out through your mouth in spurts, really chuck out the old air. Soooooo good to hear from you again. It ain’t the same without you!!

[Starrlight]

Relaxing all last weekend sounds nice. And super happy to hear lymph nodes were fine.

I’ve been loving life, a 360 from what I thought of life only a matter of weeks ago!

It’s really great to hear from you!!! 😆

[bridder01 in reply to Starrlight]

Anytime Starr! I'm always here if you need a little pick-me-up!

[fauxartist]

doin good Brian...and glad to hear the tumor is localized and not gone to your lymph nodes.

[bridder01 in reply to fauxartist]

Thanks Artist! Me too! 😀

[fauxartist in reply to bridder01]

You are so gracious Brian....the thing that just strikes me is how after all your going through....and the journey ahead of you....you still take the time to ask how everyone else is doing....and you actually care.....if this world had more people like you....it would be such a nicer and kinder place to be....it's said because of all the social media that what's lacking in people today is compassion, as they hide behind their screens so they don't have to interact with people. You and so many here are proving that is not always the case....what goes on here is showing the world what can also be done, and that is healing.

[bridder01 in reply to fauxartist]

I try Artist. I'm not perfect by any stretch, and I do have occasional slips, but I try because I want to see others overcome what they're dealing with. I'm still battling depression as social phobia as well, but I just try. I don't know what else to say lol

[fauxartist in reply to bridder01]

I hear what your saying about battling depression and social phobia Brian...and it is exactly what makes what we have to say I think, when we have it to give, valuable to someone looking for answers, or others that can simply relate to what we are saying. So many out in the 'real world', don't care, or have time, or are in their own denial....that it is isolating for so many trying to navigate. There is sadly a lot of indifference and down right cruelty that seems to just pass as conversation too. And that is what makes it so fearful for many here.

[bridder01 in reply to fauxartist]

I totally hear ya Artist. It's taken me a long time, but now I either let the negativity roll off my back or I just simply ignore it. If it's an actual personal attack on me or a friend of mine, then that gets my dander up! lol It all goes back to not being able to control the actions of others. People are gonna be stupid. Doesn't mean you have to join in lol. Finding those in our communities who are nice, pleasant and good to be around is what makes life so much better. Even though this is an online community, I really am grateful to be here and to be friendly to all who want to get to know me. Random acts of kindness can be infectious

[fauxartist in reply to bridder01]

I agree it is infectious in the nicest possible way. I too agree that when you run into a SNERT or some equivalent of....don't lower yourself to their level....be diplomatic and leave them stew in their own whatever....who was it that said you'll attract more bees with honey than you will with vinegar? We have enough to deal with everyday...and having a safe place to just let it out is very healing....