Wednesday, June 25, 2014

MRI and kicking through 7 rounds, literally

On June 18th, I had an early MRI up at Cedar Sinai Hospital. Sean was back in town so he was able to drive me up there. Which is so nice, that area is way to confusing and there are specific parking lots you can park in or you'll have to pay the full price and not get discounted parking.

The drive was very slow as there was a freeway closure, again thank God Sean was able to drive me!! Once there we had to wait...everything with the hospital and doctors appointments is a "hurry up to wait!" I had my MRI, and for the first time since I have stopped wearing the scarfs and sports bands around my head, my hair has grown out enough that I no longer need them, I was wearing bobby pins. Now MRIs are magnetic, so wearing bobby pins just in the room was a big no-no. And now I know why. When I went to lay down I had a pull on the top of my head, put my hand up there and realized it was because of my bobby pin. It was so difficult to take out because of the magnet. It was such a trip to me, lol!
 Here is my MRI hospital gown selfie!!
 
 
 
After my MRI, we headed up to see Dr. Rudnick. We met in the viewing room after doing all of my vitals and he had great news!! He showed us how the images are not changing, which means the white stuff showing up on my MRI is scar tissue. He even said that I could stop the chemo, since I did so well on 6 months of it. He said we could just do radiation or surgery when it grows back (remember this type of cancer continues to grow). But knowing that I refuse to do radiation and asking if those images were of his wife's brain what he would have her do, he told me to continue for 6 more months, especially since I'm doing so well on the Chemo. My blood counts are staying strong and he said he hit the "sweet spot" in my dose where my body is able to make a come back and that I'll do fine for 6 more months. Kind of a bummer that I have to continue, but also exciting that I am doing so well he did consider taking me off of it!!
 

Dr. Rudnick looking at my MRI from several months of no change!
 
 
Because I'm a little crazy and think I can accomplish anything, I have decided to do 40 things out of my comfort zone (or just not my usual) before I turn 40, in a year. I was asked a while back to play in a charity kickball game and I said yes, it happened to fall on my chemo weekend and with my doctors permission I was allowed to play!! It was so much fun and I can't wait until next year, especially since I won't be on chemo, know what to expect, and can really kick some butt!!
During the first game a man on the other team hit me in the stomach with the ball, I thought I was going to die, so I laid down for a bit after the game. Then played 2 more games, went home and took a very long and much needed nap!!
 
Sean kicking the ball, I don't have any of me kicking it, probably because I'm not any good!

Resting in a grassy area after getting hit in the gut with the ball. It made me so mad that they guy hit me as I was running towards first base...most men know that all they have to do is touch the base and the runner is out. He didn't need to touch the base and hit me in the stomach, I should have puked on him, lol!
 
 
Anyways, it was a great time and I'm so happy that I got the chance to play kickball again, probably haven't played since elementary school!!
 
So very happy that my 7th round of chemo is done and that I checked the first thing off of my 40 before 40 list!!


6 comments:

  1. Mel that's great news about your treatment and congratulations on doing the first of 40 things before your 40. What else is on your list?

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    1. Thanks Paul, I'm still trying to figure it out as I go. I know for sure that skydiving is definitely on my list for the day I turn 40...so that would be my 40th thing. I'd like to go on the price is right, try out for the show Amazing Race, and anything else adventurous that comes up. Please let me know if you think of anything good for my list!!

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  2. I found two sites I wanted to share that list some things you could add to your list:

    http://www.dailymail.co.uk/femail/article-2528845/Things-youre-40-Gina-Pennington-did-all.html

    http://fortythingsbeforeforty.blogspot.com/2010/07/suggestions-for-forty-things-to-do.html

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    1. Thanks LaVonne and awe man, that last blog has the same idea as me, but I took mine from a friend on FB who had a "kicking the last year of my 30's A$$ list and did stuff on that like become a public notary, etc. So I tweaked it to fit what I want to do and liked the idea of 40 things as I'll be turning 40.

      Thanks for sharing those sites, I like the suggestions they have!!

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  3. How exciting! So glad to hear the positive news, especially about the MRI! Here's to praying the next 6 months of chemo go by quickly; which I'm sure they will as you check off your 40 before 40!

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    1. Thank you, the 40 before 40 is making my last year in my 30's go a little too fast, lol! I'm hoping the chemo goes quickly, but not the year!!

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