Greetings one and all.
Today I went to the Cleveland Clinic for my 3 - month check up and bloodwork. This was my first time going there since my meds and chemo have been completed!
The drive there takes me about an hour and I did some reflecting along the way. I`ve been there so many times I feel as though I could drive it with my eyes closed! North on the expressway to downtown Cleveland by Jacob`s Field where the Indians play, merge right; go two exits and turn right .... and so the journey goes.
When I was first diagnosed with leukemia and taken to the CC I was terrified. I knew I was in bad shape when they transported me there. It was to be my home for the next month until I was discharged and then I would spend up to 4 or 5 days a week there after that . Long days of chemotherapy. Ofcourse I couldn`t drive there myself. My brother took me.
Bone marrow tests, hair loss, chemo shot into my spine several times, wheelchairs, barf buckets, shingles, dozens of blood transfusions, pneumonia, learning to give myself shots, sores in my mouth, mouth tasting like tarnished coins, blurred vision, weight loss -- just a few of the bad things.
The love of my family and friends, visitors, cards, flowers, magazines, teddy bears, food when it tasted good, new pajamas and slippers, new friends and fellow patients, amazing doctors and nurses, lots of prayers and more prayers and an abundance of blessings -- just a few of the good things.
So I`m thinking about all this as I`m driving along. The sun is shining, my CD player is blaring, my real hair blowing in the breeze! :)
My bloodwrok was good. I met with my doctor. We discussed whether or not to leave the port in my chest. The port is hidden under the skin. My blood is drawn from it and when I had chemo, that`s the way it was administered from an IV into my port. It`s a small surgical procedure to have it removed. Or it can be left in "just in case."
I told my doctor that I probably won`t be keeping it, that I didn`t plan on needing it.
He smiled and said, "That`s exactly what I was thinking. "
16 comments:
That is wonderfu news. What a happy feeling you must have. Thank the dear Lord for his many blessings ! 'On Ya' - ma
I'm so happy things are going well. You are one of the blessed ones!!
Hugs...Pam xoxox
Well, isn't that fantastic. Yippee!!
God Bless You! Good attitude & faith!!!!
Hugs,
Sugar
Good positive thinking!!!!!!!!!!!! You are a survivor and fighter.
LOVE,lisa
I would think taking the port out would feel like the ending to a rough time in your life. Glad your bloodwork came back good.
Gale
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Gutsy Lady how I admire your willingness to share
as well as your courage, discipline, and trust. Wow,
you've been to the edge and lived to tell about it.
Your physician must love you, for making him look good
among other things! Ha! God bless!
Barry
http://journals.aol.com/bbartle3/Vengeance/
Wow, saying goodbye to that port....whoo hoo, the time has come. I'm so blessed to have met you, Penny. even though you were midway through the journey when I did. Love ya, Chris
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great news:)
Deb
What WONDERFUL news! I'd part with the port, too!!
Congrats,
:) Carol
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Ahh Penny...I didn't even know sweetie...Hardy congratulations on having completed one of the hardest of journeys. Praise God you are well now! HE was there with you the whole time--Yes?!
((((((((((((((((((((((((((Pennie))))))))))))))))))))))))))))))
May HE love and protect you closely always~
Deb ;-)
I hope you don't mind that I am msnagging a few of your cute butterfly graphics.
My journal is private but these were so cute!
Thanks,
Jen
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