Insurance Company Said "NO"

I was scheduled for a PET scan this morning.  Late last Friday afternoon, I had a voice mail from my oncologist office. (I had left my ringer off even after I got home.)  I have to get permissions from my insurance company to have a PET scan.  My oncologist ordered it back in March, to see what my lymph nodes were up, three months after surgery.  My doctor even had talked to my insurance company about why I needed it, and they didn't change their minds.  I am now having a CT scan on the 28th of this month. 

I kept my appointment for getting my port flushed, since it had been five weeks.  I talked the scheduler, for my oncologists office,  into getting an order for blood work for this morning.  I usually have blood work done a couple of weeks before my CT scan. I waited for the results, my white blood count and my platelets have  both dropped below the low end of the normal range.  With all of my bruises I have,  I am a little concerned.  Not sure if this is due to the Sarcoid or something else, I am keeping Wednesday's appointment with my oncologist.  I will see him again next month to get the results of the CT Scan.  Even blood pressure was a little high this morning.

My appointment with my lung doctor has also been pushed back to the day before my birthday.

Blood Draw and Port Flush

This morning, I had an appointment to have blood drawn and my month port flush. (Next week, I am getting a CT Scan.) The nurse did not have orders for the blood draw in my file, and I left the orders I had, were left on the refrigerator at home. But she did it anyway with out the orders. When my port was accessed, the nurse got good blood return. No clot buster drug was needed. I waited for the blood counts to be done, and my white blood count had slightly dropped. It is at 4.0. The last time I saw the counts, I think my white blood count was at 4.3. 4.0 is still good. It is on the high end of the being low.

More Port Fun

In October, had problems getting my port to flush, had to have one dose of a clot buster, just so my port would flush. I had to fast about 12 hours between last night and this morning, because of have blood drawn this morning. I needed labs done for two reasons: next CT scan is January 15, and my physical is 5 days after that on the 20th. I ended up 20 minutes late, but I did call them to them I was running late, because I had to go back home to get both of my doctor's orders for my labs.

My favorite nurse was there, of which I knew she would be, and she forgot to show me a pic of her baby, as you continue to read, you will understand why, she forgot. Another one I like was there as well, and they both were my nurses this morning. My glove of ice was ready for me, when I was walked to the back. I iced my port, and was ready to be stuck by the needle. My nurse put in the needle, and got nothing. She took it out, and got a new one. She still got nothing. My port would not flush. The other nurse came over, jiggled the needle, and after giving me some heparin was able to get my port to flush, but got no blood return. So they put in an order for the clot buster. I was given the clot buster about 10:15. 30 minutes later, one came over, tried, and nada, no blood return. She waited about another 30 minutes, and they tried again, still nada. It is now between 11:15 and 11:30, I am getting hungry. I've had nothing to eat or drink since about 8 pm last night. I am given another dose of the clot buster. I get up use the RR and walk down to the middle nurses station to get a cup of ice water to drink. Come back and mess with the tv. A little after twelve, one of the nurses tries again and voila! she gets some blood to return. Draw the vials of blood that is needed, and gets some more heparin to flush my port with.

I leave around 12:30, go pick up a friend to go out to lunch, after lunch meet up with my best friend and her kids at McD's for a visit. Left there about 4:30 to head for home. I get home after 5 pm, check in over at the Cancer care place to get a report on my labs. Wonderful news, all of my counts are normal. That is good. Back in July, my white blood count finally hit normal of 4.0. Today, my white blood count is at 4.1. That is a low normal, but is still normal. Will take awhile for counts to get back up to where they were before I ever started Interferon.

3 Month Onc Visit

I saw my Onc today. Since April, I had gained 9 pounds and was a bit upset about that because I was actually trying to loose the weight by going to the Rec over at Akron U the past 5 weeks. Both, the nursing student and my onc said it is probably muscle, since muscle weighs more than fat does. So, the weight gain is okay. I am taking a few weeks off from using the rec, and will get back to it when the fall semester starts the week of August 24 at Akron U. Since I will have a class that meets twice a week in the evening, I will be able to work out after school and before my class.

Blood was drawn before my port was flushed this morning. My white blood count is finally in the normal range!!!!!! I am thankful for that. It has been at 3700 for a few months, and is now at 4100, which is just normal. It is still slightly low, but finally working its way back up.

I now have to start getting mammograms yearly,so I am scheduled for one in September. I do not have to go back to see my onc until November. That is four months between visits. Next visit, will schedule my next CT scan, only have it get that once a year, since mine have been good. Come next summer, I will be graduating to 6 months between visits. Nothing was mentioned today about removing my port. I didn't say anything. My onc will probably say something after my next CT scan. Until then, will get it flushed every 4-6 weeks.

In summary, all good news.

A New Normal

Yesterday, I had my port flushed. I was talking to the nurse about my white blood count. I finished Interferon 7 months ago, and my white blood count is still at 3.7, as of last month. I asked how long does it take for your white blood count to go back up to normal? She said about a month or two. I told her where mine was, and she said that might be my new normal. I am very close to normal. Normal is 4.0, and I am at 3.7. I still get cold pretty easily, but not as much, since the temps are rising, but still....

2nd Quarter Onc Visit

To start off, I am cold. That is what bugs me, I am not a cold-natured person, but I am cold about all the time. I saw my onc this morning. I have gained a few pounds, which I am not surprised, that is what happens when you eat too much sweets (chocolate and cookies). My port will come out in October or November if I am still clear. I'd rather keep it, just because my veins do not like to cooperate, very hard to access. My port was flushed and blood was drawn. CBC was checked and the blood was sent over to the hospital so that my thyroid could be checked. My thyroid was checked because I complained about being cold just about all the time. My white blood count is at 3.7, basically what it was back at the end of December, still makes it low. My RDW is high, but everything else is normal. Will probably talk in July about doing a CT scan in the fall before I see him in October.

Normal Counts

Last week, I had my port flushed and labs drawn. My white blood count is at 3.5. Still low, but getting closer to normal. Normal white blood count is at 4.0 and above. I had extra blood drawn, because I am seeing my family doc on the 19th for a physical, and he always wants to have your blood tested for certain things. I got a letter in the mail telling me about my blood test results.

Blood sugar, liver and kidney tests are perfect. My thyroid stimulating hormone and T4 are normal, which indicates my thyroid is working properly.

November Labs

After school day, went to the cancer center to have labs done and my port flushed. My report I received about 5 minutes later is different from what I got during the past year. I do not understand it as well as the other ones. My white blood count is up to 3.4, Red blood count is 4.06, and my Hemoglobin is at 11.4. They are all low, but to be expected. They will be higher next month. They are close to the normal range.

The nurse asked me what they would be testing. I told her I had no idea, whatever my onc wanted. She said that she hadn't read my chart/orders yet. I go back again December 30.

Met With My Advisor

Yesterday afternoon, I met with my academic advisor (aa). I might get a new one, this one is a reading person, and I am a science person. Will see... I need to talk to the science person to see which science classes I can take for my 15 hours of content, part of my program. I will be getting my Master's in Elementary Ed in curriculum studies. I went through this schedule last night, looking at different classes that are being offered next year. I am thinking of taking two classes in January, and try to take two in both summer sessions. Will see if I can handle that. I am also going to check into scholarships and grad assistantships. I will write more when I get more info.

I only worked 1 1/2 days last week. So far, I have worked 2 1/2 days this week. My White blood count is up to 2.2, and platelets are up to 142. My body is fighting something, my fatigue level has been up, and I see to get a low grade fever sometime in the middle of the night to about mid to late morning. Then it goes away.

I am done on Friday. Yahoo!!!!!! I have a thank you card for my nurses and I am baking them brownies as a gift. When I am done here at the library, I'm thinking of stopping in Wadsworth to order my ice cream cake.

New Stocking

Last Friday, I picked up my new stocking. I wore it for the first time on Saturday. It fits fine, but it bugs me at the top of my thigh. Saturday, it left a red mark. It is tighter than my old one. With the temps in the 70's and colder at night, you'd think the lymphodema would decrease, but it doesn't look like it has.

Labs were done as usual, last Friday. My white blood count is down from 2.0 to 1.9. Looks like my platelet dropped, too. They are now at 121.

I worked 4 days last week, kinder. I have worked both yesterday and today for this week.

8 more injections!

The Indians have won 7 in a row, and are actually 2 games above .500. Before Sunday, the last time they were above .500 was back in May. Cliff Lee pitches tonight and again on Sunday.

I saw 3 deer last Thursday morning.

I've been taking lots of Tylenol in the past week and half, trying not to take a pain pill. It has been a couple of weeks since I've taken a pain pill.

I did something really stupid yesterday. I need some prayer!!! I went to the library yesterday afternoon to get online. (First time online in 6 days.) I connected my flash drive to the hard drive, so I could send an attachment to an email to somebody. I totally forgot about my flash drive and left it there, connected to the computer. This flash drive is very important, all of my resume stuff is on it, along with a copy of my driver's license and I think also my ss card. When I realized it this afternoon, I had my mom call over to the library and nobody had turned it in. Please pray that I get it back and nobody uses it to try and mess up my identity. I still can't believe I did that. It is tough not having a working computer at home.

Last Day

Monday, was my monthly appointment with my onc. I only lost 1 pound this past month. I ate more and drank more pop than I should've. I will see him again on October 24. I received the lab results from Friday's labs. My WBC went down from 2.3 to 2.0. I expected that since I battle fatigue all of last week. My platelets went up from 107 to 139. I had the normal lows of other things.

Last day of Interferon treatment will be Friday, October 10. Yeah!!!!!!!!! Can you believe that the year of treatment is just about done? That is such good news. I will have labs done on October 24 with scans in early November. After that, if things are good, I can have my port taken out. I will ask about followup first and go from there. Please pray that I will make the best decision about my port and what to do with it.

Thank you again for all of your prayers! I so do appreciate them.

I am working on applying to grad school to start in January. I worked yesterday. So far, I've worked 2 1/2 days since school has started. It will pick up, but I'm not worried.

This Past Week

Friday afternoon, we left for IL for a wedding that was on Saturday morning. There were 5 of us in the car. Cramped, but I tried hard not to complain. The only driving I did over the weekend was Sunday morning.

The wedding was nice, started 30 minutes late, that is okay. The groom washed his bride's feet. That was different. The bride, groom, matron of honor, and best man, were the only ones to partake in communion. Bride's mother married them. Brunch reception, and dancing after we ate. Groom's sister made the wedding cake. She did a great job.

Spent the night in IN. Sunday morning, drove to Sandusky to spend time at Kalahari. Nice place, fun and expensive. Did get some sun. Sore calf muscles, feel it more in my left than my right, but knees are bothering me. They have a wave pool, four hot tubs, water slides, and other things to do.

Left Sandusky around 5 pm on Monday to head for home. I called the hospital (nurses' station) to let them know I would be in between 7:30 and 8 pm. That is so they could call pharmacy to have my injection. They knew I would be in sometime on Monday, because they had my chart. I get there about 7:30 (mom drove me, I was very tired). Guess what? My injection wasn't there. They called down to pharmacy. I didn't get my injection till around 9 pm. I was bored, so I played with my phone and watched Indians a bit. About 8:45 called the sub systems to see if there was something for Tuesday, there was and I accepted it.

Woke up Tuesday and called the system trying to cancel, couldn't. I was so tired that I couldn't function and sore. Dad drove me to school and my mom picked me up that afternoon. Had a headache most of day, finally took a pain after supper, 6 pm. The pain pill did its job.

This morning, had my follow-up with the surgeon about last week. Appointment was for 8:45 am. Was called back to a room, a little after 10 am, waited still another hour to see the doctor. Confirmed the bakers cyst, and said I was probably starting to get arthritis in my knees. Was told to follow-up with my family doctor. Will wait awhile before I do. It was noon, when I finally left the hospital area, after getting my injection.

I didn't get my lab results on Monday. I got them today. My WBC was 2.3, up from 2.1. I thought it would've dropped since I was tired all last week. I didn't eat breakfast on Friday, and my glucose was at 107, that was odd. My platelets had dropped down to 107. I was expecting that to drop. Will get new results next Monday.

This Friday, I am planning on getting measured for a new compression stocking. I won't if I sub. Seeing my onc next Monday afternoon.

Last Friday, the Indians winning streak was ended by Seattle, and Seattle swept the good guys. We did win Monday and Tuesday and lost today. Monday, Cliff Lee pitched and won his 20th game of the season. Let's see how many more he can win. He won AL pitcher of the month for August, second time this season. He is in contention for CY Young award. I hope he wins it.

Interview, What Interview?

I was supposed to have a phone interview this morning at 10 am. I was home by 9:45 am. Ten o'clock has come and gone, and no phone call. I don't have her phone number to call her. She said she would call if she didn't forget. Teachers started back today in Charlotte. It has me kinda down, all this stuff about Charlotte, the ups and downs. This, no phone call, must be God's way of making sure I know that moving is not part of his plan for me, right now. Who knows, I might still need him to confirm that. I will be kept busy subbing, but I want my own classroom again. I have been feeling melancholy the past couple of weeks, and its due to the Charlotte thing.

It is also due to the fact...WARNING: Vanity popping up!...When I look in the mirror, I see an area where hair is thinning, up front. Mom says it looks like there is also new hair growth in the same area, as well. I will continue loose hair even up to a few months after finishing Interferon. Only 2 months left of injections!!!!!!! YEAH!!!!!!

White blood count is up to 2.1 this week. Platelet is at 125. Have been feeling a little fit of brain fog, and when I stand up, I feel a little out of it, wobbly, like. Those are just side effects, nothing to worry about.

Yesterday's sermon was from Psalms 116, and it was good. Plus, I didn't' yawn during the sermon or Sunday School, and I usually do.

Thank you again for your prayers.

August Visit

This morning, I had my monthly appointment in seeing my onc. I was in and out of there in about 15 minutes. I lost another 3 pounds, with a total of 51 pounds lost in the past year. I had moved up the appointment a week, cause I thought I was moving this weekend, but I don't think I am at all.

I noticed a new spot, last night, of where I am loosing hair. The hair thinning at greatly slowed down, because of getting it cut short. I have been noticing in the last few weeks, some hair coming out. This new spot is right up front, on the left side of my head. I saw it in the mirror last night. I will be loosing hair through the end of the year, I am very thankful that the hair loss/thinning hasn't been as bad as some people have had while on Interferon.

I am expecting my white blood count to have dropped, and maybe even my platelet count, too. I had a headache that started Monday night and lasted a good 24 hours. I took a pain pill twice on Tuesday, one when I first got up and another one around supper time. had a tickle in my throat for a few days. Actually, I have a small headache right now. That is the thing about the side effects of Interferon, I never know when they will effect me and which ones.

What I Found

This morning, I had a phone interview for a 5th grade math/science position in Charlotte. They do team on the 5th grade and have 6 teachers. They ability group the students, and I have little experience with that. I believe that will be a strike against me, but I think because I have taught 5th science and been on a team, that will help me. Will see...

My white blood count went up from 2.2 to 2.4. My platelet count dropped from about 126 to like 112. I bruise more easily with a low platelet count. Side effects have been pretty minimal, which is good. This evening, I do have a tickle in my throat, and took two vitamin C. I do see my onc this Friday.

My mom and I worked in the basement for a good hour this afternoon. We were going through containers and boxes, deciding what to trash, recycle, keep to stay here, keep but take with me. I still have a bunch of school stuff that would need to go. (No, no job yet, but we are preparing just in case, anyway.) I opened this one file container, and found folders in it. I opened them up, and kinda went through them. I found a sheet of paper, with my NTE scores hand written onto the paper. The NTE is the OH test for teachers to take, who want their teaching certificate. I faxed the scores down to Charlotte late this afternoon. Will see if it helps or not.

June Onc Visit

Today, was my monthly visit in seeing my onc. I get weighed every time I see him. In the past month, I had lost another 6 pounds. That puts me at a total of 42 pounds since last summer. I would like to have lost a total of 50 pounds by the time school starts at the end of August. That gives me two months to loose 8 more pounds.

My white blood count went from 2.3 to 2.0 I go up and down all the time. A lot of things are low, but still okay. My temperature is finally normal. This morning it was 98.5 degrees.

Wednesday, July 9, I am schedules for my next CT Scan. The appointment time is for 11:20 am. I am having it done at the hospital, since I want them to use my port for the IV. I will see my onc again the following week, on the 16th. That is when I will get the results of the scans. I am praying that I am still NED. Time to go play Boggle.

Low Grade Fever

Since Wednesday of last week, I have had a temp ranging between 99.0-99.6. That varies throughout the day. Don't know why I've gone so long with a low grade fever. Having a fever is a side effect of the Interferon. A fever is also a sign of an infection. My blood pressure was 99/72 on Friday, but it was back up to where it normally is, this morning.

I was told by the nurse to keep take my temp throughout the weekend. If I had a fever and the chills to my call my onc. She was a bit worried that I might have a port infection. That wouldn't be good. If that happened, my port would be taken out. I do not have a port infection. I did take my temp a couple of times Friday night, took it Saturday, and took the thermometer to church yesterday. Yes, I did. I took my temp during the sermon and twice in Sunday School. I didn't take it again the rest of the day.

Last week, my white blood count went up from 2.0 to 2.2. Blood was drawn on Friday, and my white blood count went up again, this time to 2.3. I wasn't expecting it to go up, but to go down instead.

May Onc Visit

I've been busy subbing. Which is good. My body has gotten used to the interferon again. I took a pain pill Saturday night, first one in a week, because I had a headache all day. I did take a Sudafed in the morning. If I have a headache due to the Interferon, pain pills are the only thing that helps it.

I saw my onc this afternoon. I've lost 6 pounds in the past 6 1/2 weeks. My white blood count is at 2.7 for the second week. That is good. My side effects seem better than before my trip to NC. I make little goals for where I would like to have my weight at each time I see my onc. Decreasing portion sizes, cutting back on certain things, and trying to increase my walking is what is helping to loose weight.

I will see my onc again next month, June 16. At that appointment will schedule my next set of scans. The scans will be scheduled for July or August. The tests from February and March, I had to pay just under $700 for them. My onc doesn't want to make the financial burden for the tests too much on me.

My mom has suggested I go to apply at a daycare center for the summer. I want to get my injections in the morning during the summer. Working will be helpful, because then I can have money coming in. Need to pray about it and check into it. I also need to get back to work at applying to school districts around here, and start emailing principals around here and down in NC and SC. I haven't done anything since we got back from NC.

White Blood Count

I had my weekly blood draw last Friday. I received the results this afternoon. My white blood count is up to 2.8. That is the highest I have seen it, since I started Interferon.

Today

I got up at 2:45 am this morning, to come downstairs and get my "yucky" dose and meal together. I had no problem drinking the stuff and keeping it down. No problems with the other two doses as well. Again, that is to all of the prayers being lifted up on my behalf. Thank you again for your prayers.

The nurse inserted the needle this afternoon, and it did hurt, even though I numbed the area with ice. She couldn't get any blood to flow back up, but after playing with it, she was able to get some. The CT Scan didnt' take very long. Went upstairs to get my injection of Interferon.

My white blood count went back up to 2.6. Couple other things were up or down, but otherwise, everything is fine.

This morning, I recieved a phone call. I had my first mammogram last Thursday morning. The doctor who read the pics, saw some dark masses, so I have to go in for more scans/pics to be taken. I am scheduled for 10:20 am in two weeks, over by the hospital. It is for right after I see my onc. Right now, I do not feel too worried about it, I am in God's hands. God knows what is going on. God has plans to prosper me, not to harm me.