YOU are the BEST!

 The title of this post is from my heart.  AS YOU READ THIS. please KNOW ...I appreciate your prayers, thoughts, concerns, comments  and advice.

It is hard to write now without sounding like I am down.  At present I am NOT down.  I also want to  explain my logic.   I am choosing QNE radiation treatment vs 25-30. Now I learn that is much more complicated that I pictured. The PA said I will have two appointments. One next week to set up the machine, program it, I assume. She said that takes about an hour since it is so close to my eye and sinuses.  Then an appointment will be made to come back for the radiation which  takes only a few minutes, she said.

My logic is:  there is always the possibility at my age many other things could take my life and ALSO, the Drs say NO ONE can know if they actually got  all the cancer cells during  surgery.  Since the PET scan  was GOOD, and several Drs say it was VERY GOOD, then I am gonna believe that; BUT THEN  if the cancer shows up again in another spot, I will make another decision then.  The Doctor said he respected my logic, and that is how I will play it.

I was looking at my small calendar, I laughed at Jun and July this year.  This is so messed up I know I probably need a BIG one to keep track of drs appointments if all this keeps up.

AND THEN...

ONE BRIGHT LIGHT, I was released from the Surgeon's care. He is very happy with the results and we are too. 

Not sure I posted an after shot of the doctor's work.

All the older girls say I am pretty again. LOL .

REMEMBER THE BEFORE SHOT.:

Above is what the Marcal Cell Carcinoma  looks like on the surface.

I will let you go now, thanks for stopping by and REMEMBER: YOU ARE THE BEST!

Nite Shipslog

Dr. Advice

 Our months of June and July have been swamped with Dr. appts. So today was another of those and that scheduled one more, of course.   Th Dr. prescribed 4 to 6 weeks of  Radiation every day.  WE talked and I asked the alternatives He had two or three none of which he recommended.    

Any way, I asked if one shot was possible.  He was a little reluctant and said we could try one and 'see what happens???'

He again emphasized that Merkel cell cancer was aggressive, and  unpredictable.  Especially on the face they could not widen out the radiation due to danger to other organs.

For some reasons it takes two appointments to do the one shot.  One for an hour to set the machine up evidently to program it.  Then one later to come in.  Sherry heard him say one shot was $800.  I did not hear that.  I actually hear things, but do not understand them, that is my earing problem with these Cochlea implants. 

Sherry searched this disease and found :

Jimmy Buffett Died of Merkel Cell Carcinoma

Beloved singer-songwriter Jimmy Buffett passed away on September 1, 2023, at the age of 76, after losing his battle with Merkel cell carcinoma (MCC) The Skin Cancer Foundation.

Buffett, famous for hits like “Margaritaville” and “Cheeseburger in Paradise”, continued to perform and undergo treatment after his diagnosis until his death The Skin Cancer Foundation. MCC is a rare and aggressive type of skin cancer that develops in the top layer of the skin (epidermis). It is about three to five times more likely to be deadly than melanoma and is 40 times rarer, with roughly 3,000 new cases diagnosed in the U.S. each year The Skin Cancer Foundation.

I had to pick a RARE one of course..... This has me to thinking harder, of course...  MAYBE, just aybe I should agree to the 30 shots of radiation.    I am thinking.  This is probably the most cornered I have ever been on whether I should do more or not.  Thank you for your thoughts and prayers.

The American CAncer Society gives me an average of 5 years of life after diagnosis. What is so strange about that is, I told the Dr. " Doc, at my age I know I have a few years left, I give it 5 years.  I am not sure it is worth it for the long treatment." He sighed, your derision"

What to do?  I hate hard Questions!!!!!!!

Nite Shipslog

Feeling an accomplishment

 Today was a good one.  Pancakes came out good for a breakfast change. 

 Sherry is doing well,  She is doing the laundry and is proud of herself for reading a real book, LOL.  A friend loaned her Jan Karon's 'My Beloved.'  She complained about the smaller print, but thoroughly enjoyed the book.  WE followed Jan for a while.  Loved "The Mitford Series." WE both read e-books for the large print. ;-)

Oh yes, the Fish fry went great.  Sherry did her (family famous) Pea Salad.  A recipe she picked up about 1958 in Biloxi Mississippi.  At first I could not find my Fish Fry Equipment.  But I did get it.

Then did French fries, hush puppies and fried the fish last.  My gorl said the puppies were the best she ever tasted. (she is buttering me up!)

Oh yes, and I completed a BIG ask on my to do list.  WE had a bad area in the house. An old unused and disconnected cast iron bath tub in a 5x6 area just outside the master bathroom. With son Mark's help we got the 200 lb+ tub out.  Then I started remodeling.  I redid the Drywall, added slate style flooring there and into the bathroom. I added wainscotting and made chair rail. followed by adding two 120v receptacles.  It  is now ready for a vanity set up and my girl will have a nice make-up area.

Above shot is entering from our bedroom. Bathroom is to the right just insice this door.

This is looking from the master bathroom our Bedroom is just to the left out this door.

I got hugs an kisses for this one.  LOL  She is especially thrilled with the floor, the old tile was breaking and cracked.

Anyway I am also proud of me for finally getting it done It has taken two or three weeks (Maybe a month, so you  can imagine the mess she has put up with. .

Now to bed, but first thanks for the comments, prayers and support.. As we try to climb back into the world.

Nite Shipslog.

Just thinking

 I need to get to bed,  I have prepared pancake batter for breakfast   Maybe a fish fry for the afternoon meal.  WE only have two real meals aday so that makes things simpler.

I am fine and Sherry is doing well.  Her blood pressure still is not under control.  One day is reads 125/60 the next it is 156 over 80 . a wide range. But she does have that thing they call White-Coat Syndrome. At the Dr's office it is OFTEN up to 200/90.  It ia scary.  NOW she tells me she was VERY worried about me.

From my heart, I just want to take the time tonight to say thank all of you who read here, THANKS!!

I have learned over the years that many friends and family read this to keep up with us.  

In that regard, I feel like a friend whom I asked the other day, "And how are you doing?"

He smiled and asked, "In reference to what?>"  We both just stood there and laughed.

So to everyone who is concerned, in reference to most 80-90 folks I know, "We are doing great!!"

As most of  you know, it takes a lot to keep a house and house hod going. Trimming trees, cutting grass, maintain an older home, getting groceries, cooking and cleaning. Our schedule is tight.  Sherry is kicking in now, today she celebrated national Hot dog day and fixed hot dogs for me and the sons.  LOL  We had a good time.  I have about finished remodeling the bathroom and an area for her Vanity table.  

I am thinking about a family fish fry tomorrow.  I had better getto bed.

Love it that you guys read here.

Nite Shipslog

Good PET scan, I thought I was a dog, but I am a cat.

 Met with Doc Mc Grath to day to get an explanation of the scan results. He was very optimistic about the results.  His statement, "All went well, nothing is a problem at present.  I am scheduling you for radiation of the facial area.  They will call you with the time and date."

"Doctor," I said, "If Dr. Caulifield got it all, and none showed up on the scan, why do I need the radiation.  To tell you the truth, I am in my 80s now and do not want to fall in the old folks problem of a DR. appt every week."  I could tell he did not appreciate my statement.

He said, "NO ONE can say for sure 'I got it all',  they could easily miss ONE cancer cell, and you are back where you started.  With your CANCER being one of the most aggressive, I want to be sure it doesn't come back to bite you."

Cancer?  that is the first time that word has been used,.  All I have heard and seen is, "We are not sure what it is. possible  Merkel cell carcinoma. BUT just using the words 'AGGRESIVE CANCER' slowed me down some and I didn't even ask him what KIND of cancer?

BUT right now, all is well and the report of the scan was better than expected.  So now I wait again and listen for the phone call for my  NEXT APPOINTMENT. LIKE THE REST OF MY PEERS ..LOL

Sorry to be so spotted in my reading an posting, but we are still in a tough schedule.

Still working on my to do list.  Today I just finished flooring the bathroom area and also the area  that  will be Sherry's dressing table area.  That area still needs the electrical work and adding wainscoting the walls.

I am also trying to vary my menus, but am not too successful. In the morning I will try a ham and cheese omelet with grits.

OH YES,  I have just met my newest animal friend here. It is a bunny, it  looks like maybe 5 weeks old.  He hasn't talked yet but he listens very well and pays attention.  It is much more friendly than the squirrels, possums, and raccoons.  LOL Also one feral cat, still only a night time 'distant' friend...

Thanks so much for your thoughts, prayers and attention. 

I am still doing pretty well, life is good..

Nite Shipslog

NOTE: Dallas up in PA, Thinking of you my friend. Hope you get rid of 'em extra platelets..... Hug that pretty young girl you married. about 70 years ago.

a short 'little more'

 Well,  I must celebrate or at least wait until after the 4th for the PET scan.  That is now scheduled for the 9th of July.

Waiting ain't no fun. I usually can distract my mind by working, but I hurt my right arm moving heavy doors to paint them.  uninstalling and then installing them took its toll.  now I am just lying around THINKING. 

I feel good now 'cept my arm.  At times I think I am better off not knowing stuff.  The Drs try to sound up beat, but you wonder if they are thinking "This could be BAD!"

Anyway I will be absent feeling sorry for my self. LOL  I will let you kow the good news later when I learn it.

Have a great FOURTH, the is a great country to live in, I love it and like many vets, I am proud to have served this great country.  I ain't really proud of the fact we have men and women in harms way now, but, in the end we pray for the best and continue to love our land.

Nite Shipslog

follow up More on me.....

 To answer a question to a Michigander friend,  The whole thing from start to finish was less than 2-2.5 months me thinks.  I watched it grow for a few weeks hoping it would be smart and go away on it's own.  LOL...  My Sherry says 'Dream -on!'   LOL

For now I made a trip to a NEW Doctor.  It was for a consult on a body scan for Merkel cell carcinoma.  My uneducated understanding is they are looking to find if this 'tumor' was the mama or just a child.  The way I understand it if it was the mama, then all is well and it is gone. if it is found other places (he is concerned about the lungs), then there is need  for concern.

He seems to be planning to schedule  radiation on my face no matter what they find.  I hope I am misunderstanding. LOL

Anyway we are now waiting by the phone for the scheduled scan.  Evidently he doesn't know if I am a cat or a dog , because he is calling it a PET SCAN.  I will let you know....

I am wondering if I am falling into the Doctor Trap that many of us OLD people get into.  I told my sweetheart today that if this keeps up they will destroy my possibility of hiking 'the trail' before I die or live in front of a TV.  Meaning, I need at least 10 months clear to walk the entire 2190+ miles.

YEAH I KNOW, I KNOW, the last time I only needed a few days to tell me I could not start in January. LOL And made it only 25 miles.  HAHA      But I still need to try again to tell my Stubborn brain I need to SHUT UP.

Bye y'all

Nite Shipslog

The latest on me, LOL

Okay now I am still a little confused.  It has been determined that the 'thing removed' was  'The immunoprofile  is consistant with a high grade neuroendocrine carcinoma. The findings are highly concerning for Merkel cell...there is a possibility of metastases.

I copied this:

 Metastasis occurs when cancer cells break away from the primary tumor, travel through the bloodstream or lymphatic system, and establish new tumors in distant organs or tissues. These secondary tumors are called metastases and retain the characteristics of the original cancer, not the tissue where they appear. 

So now when I thought I was thru with this mess I will see someone else about a body scan to see if there are any more of these 'boogers' in my body, or something like that.

When Doctors say something like "  This is usually nothing but it needs to be done just to MAKE SURE?    Make sure  WHAT, my brain asks?  LOL

I know you medical people will enjoy reading this Just to help you some CD56, CK20, LCA and KI-67 WERE ALSO PERFORMED.   Got that?

Now that all that is said, I am going to see another Dr. on the 24th to decide how to search my body for mean booggers.

My girl is still having trouble controlling her blood pressure, but she is doing well otherwise.  WE walk most days and she feels better.

TAke care, love you guys, sorry I do not know more.  Things stay a little hectic around here.

Nite Shipslog