In the beginning part II

Sorry to leave ya hanging out there but first things first. Before I get back to the story of how this all came about I want to do a CT Scan update. I had my last one on Thursday March 10,2011. It was only three weeks after my last one. He had me a little concerned. The results were good. Nothing has changed. That really is a good thing. What they think is happening is the actual cancer is lessening and it is just leaving scars. I'll take it !!!!!!! Well back to the story so we can get on with more stories and encouragement.

So back to ER we went on Sunday morning. Like I said no shower no prep for staying. They did the CT Scan and found suspicious things (not sure on the techy term). They suggested I stay over and have a biopsy on Monday morn. Okay that sounds a little scary but I am not one to scare easy. At this time I am thinking Valley Fever. What else would it be? No one plays in the dirt and dust more than me so it just makes sense. The hospital sent in a pulmonary specialist to talk to me. I can' remember much of what he said but I do remember him saying"You know this could be cancer?"No I really hadn't gone with that angle. He said they would send in an oncologist to talk to me.

That is the first time I met my now very special doctor Dr. P Bhalla. Well after he left I was sure I had cancer. He was very nice but very direct and didn't sugar coat anything. He arranged an appointment for me at his office for Tuesday after I get out of the hospital.

I had my biopsy as scheduled and went home that afternoon. I got to say my head was spinning but all along I know my faith in God will get me through. I am a christian and believe that God is my rock. If I keep my eyes focused on Him I can get through anything. On Tuesday I went to Bhalla's office and we scheduled a PET Scan. That is a much more intense test than the CT scan.

The scan was on that Thursday. Things were moving fast. On Friday I was out riding with my Granddaughter and a very good friend. I was on my goofy pony Ginger. My phone started ringing and Ginger didn't like it I am trying to answer my phone while Ginger is spinning around. I finally just tossed the phone to get the ringing out of poor Ginger's ear. I got off and retrieved the phone from somewhere in the alfalfa field.  I listened to the message and it was my doctor, Dr. Bhalla himself. Now my heart was pounding. That can't be good if he is calling himself. A little freaked out we finished the ride back to the trailer. I tried calling back but didn't get through. Then another call came from their office which somehow I missed too. This telephone tag was getting just a little crazy. They were trying to make sure I had made a follow-up appointment to get my results. I did already have one so all was well.

On March 24th, 2009 at 1:00pm Gary and I went to my appointment. Of course you are praying for the best but are nervous for the worst. It turns out I was diagnosed with Stage IV cancer. It is colon cancer that had spread to my lungs. This kind of came as a shock because the brush I had with colon cancer was back in 2000 and was considered Stage I which requires no treatment of any kind.

Oh well it is what it is. Dr. Bhalla explained a little then passed me on to his nurse Dianne. Dianne is one of the dearest people you will ever find. She has turned out to be a huge part of my life and I love her dearly. Anyway Dianne gave me a huge packaged of info and carefully explained what was going to happen. And off we go on the next two year journey that has been an amazing walk. I think that gives you the basics. I hope if you read this you will laugh with me and maybe even cry with me. If you do have cancer that you will learn how to LIVE !!!! with it and make the most of every second of every day. Even the yucky ones.