Preparing for biopsy surgery

I had a wonderful week with my son, during his spring break.

Then I headed off to Atlanta to do Christmas buying for Topiaries.

Buying trips are fun and exhausting at the same time.  I got it all done, I just had to take naps during the day.  I feel it is very important to keep my future going.  I got back home last night. I also had lots of helping hands, you see I have been going there two times a year for 18 years so I have made some great friends.  Gary and Frank came up from South Carolina to help out, again.  Frank squeezed limes for me daily while Gary helped me spend money.  We had a blast.  Jackie made sure I had homemade soups everyday, and muffins, cuties and bananas, to take back to my hotel, and to the airport.  Awesome friends!!!!

Today, I had my meet and greet with the surgeon that will be doing my surgical biopsy next week.  When Carolyn and I got there the receptionist said we have you down for two weeks from now.  OMG!!  I have been off chemo for 6 weeks now, another 2 weeks to meet the doctor and then another week or two for surgery.  This means my biopsy wouldn't even get to Boston until the end of April.  REALLY!!

Most of you know I have run my own business for over 20 years.
If the scheduler had said you can meet the Doctor in April, my response would have been, I should fly to Boston and get it done quicker!  Back to today, I told the receptionist I may look healthy, but I have stage 4 lung cancer and I can't wait weeks!!!!!!!  I told her I am staying here until I talk to my oncologist.  She came back out to the waiting room and said they could squeeze me in.  We waited another two hours (he is the best in this area) and he came in and discussed the surgery.  He will cut a two inch opening, entering just above my breast and remove some cartilage and then cut off a peice of the tumor to send off to Boston for testing. Since lung cancer can mutate, they need a current sample.  After a trying day, I was sent for labs, 5 tubes of blood, EKG, x-ray, and the special of the day, a painful draw of blood from my artery.  Very long day to say the least.  My surgery is scheduled for next Tuesday.  I will be in the hospital 1 or 2 days.  At least the ball is starting to roll.  The Bug is not for SISSIES!!!

My new small business: Gail's Health

Since my bone scan last week, I have been felling pretty good. I had my blood tested last Wednesday with good results, back to normal, which means my body has recovered from the chemo and all is back in order. I have not heard any results from the CT scan or the bone scan yet. I meet with my Doctor Wednesday for all of my results and anything new. I will also get my 4th chemo treatment that day. As far as I know I am scheduled for 2 more after that.

I am feeling pretty mentally strong since, after hearing the three most feared words from my Doctor, ...Cancer, incurable, and stage 4. In a strange way it gives me a type of power I can't explain, it is almost like this is as bad as it gets and you go into a take the bull by the horns and prepare for battle.

I will not have the big fear most cancer survivors have is that it comes back. I will always have it until a cure comes along. I will be trying clinical trials to work on the tumors on my bones later on. Somethings that I share, are just my personal feeling while dealing with all of this, it is hard to relate unless you are in my shoes. I would say 98% of the time I am positive. Yes I wish I could go back to the life I had before this, but I am hoping to be almost the same, except I have started another small business called "Gail's health". Its a bit different than running  Topiaries. It consists of Dr. appts, keeping up on doctor bills, and instead of meeting new clients I meet people that are running the same business, which is of great comfort. I have also attached a link about lime juice and lung cancer. I have been drinking about a 1/3 of a cup or more a day. I pour it in my water all day and add a natural sweetener. I believe it has helped my breathing and is also good for your immune system, which becomes compromised after chemo.

Lime juice and lung cancer

http://www.livestrong.com/article/292173-lime-juice-health-benefits/

No one can go back and make a brand-new start, but anyone can start now and make a brand new ending.

Thank you Lord for wanting me to turn to you first and for working in ways beyond my scope of understanding. You are able to do immeasurably more than anything I can ask or imagine.