CT scan and self initiated Doctor appointments

Drank the 2 yummy tasting ( NOT ) Barium Sulfate shakes 2 and 1 hours before my Chest/ Abdoman / Pelvic CT which was scheduled at 8 AM. I admit that it actually was tastier then some endurance drinks/ shakes I have tried.

Went to Lucerne Hospital and was given a dye by an IV. It caused interesting sensations which fortunately the nurse had warned me about.

Feeling of warmth, metallic taste in mouth, and feeling like you are peeing on the table !!

Was covered by a warm towel on a really comfy bed which I thought was a nice touch. And went in an out of a big donut 3 times which had something rotating in it which I was informed was taking cross sectional xrays of my body that would enable them to see everything in 3 D. ( PET scan is the next step I am learning but that has not been scheduled yet for me ) I was out of there in about 15 minutes, everything went smoothly.

Then we went to the Library to check out some books that I had heard about

Checked out Dr. Susan Love's Breast Book:4th Edition 2005 - I started reading it but it did not give me a good feeling. I usually like seeing the facts reading the stats but as I continued reading I felt getting more worried. Maybe I should be blissfully ignorant ? But how is one to be involved and in control of your treatment if you are not educated on the subject. This is what I need to decide on how much and in what sense should I be involved, and when should I just trust the actions... homework for me.

Went to my ob-gyn ( could not see my own Dr. Van Wert he was out, and saw the Nurse Practitioner) who examined me and said that she felt that the ovaries seemed normal but I could of course get an Ultrasound which I opted for immediately ! My right ovary had a problem of acting up 20 years ago and of course since now all little symptoms that I usually did not pay any attention to are 'Red Flag's.

Then went to my PCP which I really like ( Dr. Weinberger) for some other psychosomatic symptoms ( I think they are mental ) and he told me to relax and prescribed some medications ( I think Paxil and Xanax ) which I heard of and always scuffed to those taking them saying that the human body is capable of producing any chemical by itself if one really wants to. Ha !!! now I am supposed to take them. Will give them a try today. He said they were depression and anxiety pills I replied ' I am not depressed Dr. W I AM JUST FREAKED OUT !!! ' Guess I am still going through the Rage stage.

He said that while everyone was profiling the women getting breast cancer as having unhealthy eating habits, not exercising enough, having bc in your family, having children at a later age, not breast feeding their babies (none of them apply to me) they tend to overlook the other facts which seems to be more relevant. His view is that the women who get this disease are usually highly ambitious Type A go getters ( now I am type A but as to high ambition .. I am not so sure since I have been very relaxed at work the past 10 years, maybe too relaxed ! )

He also asked me to read the book Why I Wore Lipstick: To My Mastectomy

He has a sense of humor when I asked for side affects he goes ' Are you kidding me compared to what they are possibly going to give you the next couple of months these are like vitamins' and told me to relax everything happens for a reason.. yeah right ! I thought.

I love my doctor, he is so compassionate about his patients, keeps up to date with developments the only problem is you have to literally FIGHT his guardian angel nurses to get to him.

Highlight of my day !

I will be able to ride with my riding buddies Bobbies on Saturday, they graciously agreed to ride at a slower pace for part ( 30 miles) of their Saturday ride. This might be my last group ride before my treatments/surgery. I am looking forward to it ! I immediately got my Merlin fixed ( it had case of frozen handlebar syndrome ) and ready to go.

I think I should make a note of finding a highlight for everyday, that seems like a good idea now.



Tomorrow is an important day I get to see Dr. the oncologist from the MD Anderson Medical Center. She will have my full pathology report and the preliminary results from the CT scans. I wish I had those now so I could study them to know what to ask her.