Visit with oncologist...with a surprise

I'm going to try to make this quick because I'm tired. These appointment days sap me, especially when I have two in a row. Yesterday I had an EKG. Today I had labs and saw my oncologist.

Before I forget, though, I'm going to start with telling you to remind me to trust my intuition!

I'm a tough stick, so when the young phlebotomist called me back today I visualized some pink rose petals because they're my good-vibe imagery. And I saw them swirling around my right arm.

But did I follow that intuitive hit? NO!

When the phlebotomist asked which arm, I ignored my intuition and said "left" because that's the arm that I've had good luck with the past three or four times I've had blood drawn.

But as you can now guess, she couldn't get anything from that arm....and had to go to my right arm. Which worked perfectly first try. Sigh. Why did I override my intuition to start with??? Remind me not to do that again!

Anyhow, on to the oncologist. She came into the exam room relaxed and friendly—and did not begin with the word "unfortunately."

But she did have surprising news...

If you remember, my last visit she wanted me to have a chest CT because I was having trouble catching my breath, and she wanted to check out my lungs. I had that chest CT a couple of weeks ago and didn't get a call about it. I figured no news was good news. But it wasn't exactly that...

...because the surprise is that I have rib fractures!

Yes, plural.

Rib #2 on the right side (by my sternum) is fractured.

But that's not all.

On the left side, Ribs 6-9 (lower ribs) are fractured.

So overall five of my ribs are fractured.

Well, THAT explains the pain I have!

Some days the pain is almost excruciating. I'm always wondering if I'm a wimp. Because I have lots of pain. Even when taking pain meds sometimes pain is very severe when I move, especially in my left rib area. And now I know it's no wonder!!

How did I fracture these ribs? I have no idea! I haven't fallen. I don't remember any kind of blow to my midsection.

But the CT showed fractures. And it showed some fluid/inflammation in my lungs. That's also puzzling. My lungs sounded fine when the oncologist listened to them today. She said for me to get a pulse oximeter to check my blood oxygen. And she said that we'd keep an eye on the oxygen levels. Yes, my red blood cell count is low but not concerningly low. It could be that breathing deeply is painful because of my ribs, and that might explain my feeling that I'm gasping for breath.

And she is setting me up for infusions to help with the bone fractures. The drug is Zometa which is given intravenously over a 30-minute period. She wants me to have the infusions every 12 weeks and to have the first one the next time I see her, which will be December 23rd. Merry Christmas to me!

But there was also good news.

The radiologist who read the CT said that there is indication that the cancerous places in my bones are healing. That means the targeted meds are working. That will make it perhaps a bit easier to deal with the nausea I'm experiencing, having evidence that they're working.

I asked about taking Kisqali at night, and my oncologist said to try that. That it was a game changer for some of her patients because the nausea comes when you're asleep. I've had friends who are on targeted meds suggest that because it works for them. I'm certainly going to give it a try.

So for now, even with the fractured ribs, I'm feeling encouraged. Treatments seem to be working. And the coming infusions might prevent more fractures.

My sister and brother-in-law are coming Friday from Savannah. He'll go back on Saturday then come back and get her probably in a week. I look forward to their visit and having her company and help for a week.

And I've been blessed with many helpers after my sister left last month. I've had help around the house and folks have driven me to appointments and run errands for me, have cooked for me, brought food to me, gotten my mail, sent packages—all kinds of help. And folks send good vibes and send up prayers. I'm very grateful for each one of you!

I'm so blessed to have the support of my "village." And it's not just a local village. It's a very geographically-far-reaching one. I'm grateful for emails and texts and social media that allow me to stay in touch so easily. This time in history is one which allows us to support each other electronically. I'm happy to have that so readily available.

I said I'd try to keep this short. I wasn't successful but rather than err more, I'll sign off for this evening.

May you all have a blessed and joy-filled holiday season.

I'll be continuing mine with celebrating my 67th birthday on Saturday. If you think of it, send me some Happy Birthday vibes then, on St. Nicholas Day.