If you’ve been following along in my cancer journey, you know I have active cancer again. I was scheduled to start taking my new meds Monday. I was also told I had a troublesome hip and would need radiation. The radiation appointment was scheduled for April 10th.
Monday in the late afternoon, I got a phone call, it was from the radiologist’s office in Iowa City. Did I want to come in the next day and be there at 9 am? Um, YES, please. I want to get this over with so I can get on with life…plus, the way things are growing, we need to snap this at the bud.
So I quickly called Kalissa to see if she wanted to go and if she could get it off last minute. She could.
So early Tuesday morning, we waved goodbye to Gannon and Anders and headed towards Iowa City.
We made a quick stop at McDonald’s in Independence. Kalissa needed coffee, and we both wanted a breakfast sandwich.
On the way Kalissa started calling…I was supposed to get a head MRI on April 10th, and she wanted to see if we could get me in today. She was shuffled a few times and finally landed on someone who took pity on us and scheduled the MRI for noonish. WHEW.
I’ve seen Doctor Yang before. He’s great. He is actually the one who suggested my leg/hip pain last summer was probably due to a pinched nerve when all the other doctors didn’t connect that. I love Doctor Yang.
Today I was there for possible radiation. You can see in the scan below that there is a big white ball that is circled in blue. That is the spot. It’s actually in the ball of my femur. It could potentially create big problems for me…so it needs radiation. This problem was on my LEFT side.
While I was there, Dr. Yang started asking me questions. Was I in pain? Where was it? I explained that my RIGHT hip was the issue for me. I pretty much always have low-grade pain in it. He looked and yes…there is an issue with that hip as well. You can see the triangle-shaped area that is circled on the left side of the picture. That is a tumor as well. He said that could easily be why I have pain and why I am still limping on that leg.
I explained that it was hard for me to know what was going on, as I didn’t know if there was residual nerve pain from before my surgery. Nerve pain can take a long time to figure out.
He said as long as I was having pain…and as long as I would already be getting radiation on the left side, he’d like to do the right side as well. I was game. Maybe I’d get rid of my limp…maybe I’d get rid of the pain…but overall, we’d stop the growth in the tumor.
So…radiation is set for next week. I have it Monday through Friday.
I made the decision to stay at Hope Lodge. It’s a place for cancer patients to stay free of charge while they have appointments. I might come home one of the days mid week….but I’m going to try to stay. I don’t love the idea, but I keep trying to think of things I could do.
I looked it up and The Little Red Hen quilt shop that I love is in Muscatine…only 50 minutes away. I never get there…it would be so fun to go again. My sister lives in Cedar Rapids…a half hour away. I don’t see her often enough. I might be able to sneak in a visit and see her new great-granddaughter, who was born in January.
I can eat at Jimmy John’s for one meal. I know it’s silly, but I love Jimmy John’s, and there aren’t any in my area. I hope to look up some other places to eat in Iowa City…plus they have a great thrift store I’d love to check out. That will keep me busy in my off time if I’m feeling okay.
My kids have offered to take care of Rosie, so I won’t have to worry about her.
From my appointment, we went and ate out at La Fiesta North Liberty. It’s a great Mexican restaurant. Then I had an MRI done on my head. The results of that came back quickly….all is fine with my head. WHEW.
On the way home, we saw a new-to-me quilt shop, and we stopped. That was fun! Kalissa was fine to stop, and she’s my non-crafty daughter!! She actually had fun. I was shocked!! I’ll tell you more about the quilt shop in a different blog post.
When I got home…it was time. Time to start the new icky meds.
The first two went down without a problem. Yahoo!!
Poor Rosie thought they were a treat…not for you little doggie.
I’m doing well. I’m optimistic and ready to start this new chapter. It’s time to take care of this cancer.
I do want to thank the people who have sent cards and good wishes my way. Your support is so appreciated!! It makes everything so much easier.
Go, go, go Jo. You are amazing and these treatments are going to help. Thank goodness for modern treatments.
Your cheering section is active once again! I’m so happy you’ve been able to start this quickly. Fingers crossed that the icky meds don’t turn out too badly or at least wait till you get back home before they knock you down. Your positive attitude will carry you through the week at Hope House. Hoping you get to do some of the fun things you’re hoping for. You’ve got this one!
You got this Jo! If you’re looking for a new series to read to keep you occupied, I wanted to recommend The War at Home Series starting with Goodbye Piccadilly by Cynthia Harrod-Eagles. I believe you’re a fan of Downton Abbey. This is very similar and it starts in 1914 just at the start of WWI. I just finished the second book and am loving it!
Opportunity to visit a different thrift is always a plus! I’m so glad you have a doctor who is proactive at helping you find solutions. Wishing you all the best from Arkansas . . . If you get bored, we’ve finally posted our summer newsletter (just click the link in my name). I’d love to have a comment from you!
Jo, I am so happy your brain scan showed no problems!!! That is a huge blessing and now we can concentrate on praying fo successful treatment and full healing for those hips. I love the activities you have planned and pray that you have the energy to do them all and more. Prayers are with you.
Being able to more or less have an impromptu schedule with the different modes of treatment has been a boon to be triple duty appreciative of. I am sure any of your other readers who have seen their own or loved ones cancer treatment schedule dramas are so very thankful you have passed through this so nicely….
It sounds like you have a good plan. I hope you get to do some of the fun things you listed. I like Jimmy Johns too. I usually order number 5 lettuce wrap. Love and prayers to you.
That is so great that you can start radiation next week and have it all behind you. I remeber for last time that the icky medicine has unpleasant side effects. I hope it won’t be too bad this time. I think staying there for the week makes sense. I know you’ll miss your family, pets and hobbies but it will be os nice not to have to make the drive to and from treatments. Sounds like you have some fun things to keep you busy. Wishing you the very best! Love your positive attitude.
God is going to need call waiting for all the Jo prayers going up right now. You are not alone by a long shot. We gotcha girlie.
Wonderful shop in Williamsburg ” The woolen needle” west of Iowa City. A nice shop in West Branch and Herbert Hoover birthplace only a out 10 miles east of Iowa City on 80. Good luck with your procedures.
You have an army of prayer warriors behind you, Jo. The heavens will be stormed! Can you take a sewing machine and a simple project to work on or is your room not large enough? Just think of all of the half square triangles you can sew and press!!! I’ve spent weekends in hotels when my daughter was dancing and took a sewing machine. There’s absolutely no guilt for sewing for hours on end! Look for a card in the mail from me, I hope it gets to you quickly!
Jo, you are always planning… quilts, cross stitch, gardening, meals, kid activities, family events…and now how to make the best of radiation time. You are remarkable! We are cheering you on.
Love your attitude, Jo!!! I hope it helps in some small way to know that all of us are cheering you on and keeping you in our prayers!
I’m sure the doctor told you but this med can cause severe jawbone issues. Be sure to pay attention to any pain in your jaw or trouble eating/chewing. There are other effects too, none of them nice, but this one is quite common. Good idea to stay out during the radiation treatment. If nothing else you can get lots of stitching done. Wishing you a smooth treatment plan that hopefully takes care of the pain when walking.
Jo, there is another quilt shop or 2 you can easily get to in Amana Iowa! It’s not very far from Iowa City, west on I 80. The quilt store in main Amana used to have cross stitch too. I think it was called Heritage Designs. The other one is called Fern Hill. Its in one of the other Amana towns. The shop is up many stairs but it’s fun too! And having a meal in Amana is a delicious addition! Breakfast is my favorite. Oh, those crispy huge pancakes! We also used to stop by the Waterpark in the hotel on I 80 and just watch the kids playing through the big picture window. It’s been several years since I was in Amana, but it was always fun to explore. Lots of other shops. If you keep going west on I 80 there’s another quilt shop in the next town. They used to have lots of wool and repro fabrics. It may have been called the Woolen Needle. If you can travel over there on one of your Iowa City visits you will enjoy it. Jo B.
I’m glad you’re getting an earlier start. Take lots of stitching with you, that will help keep you busy. Books to read also. Praying for you. Hugs,
It’s good to hear that you have a great doctor to work with. Hope you get to do some of the fun things around Iowa City. Prayers for the best outcome with all your medical care.
In Iowa City there is a wonderful thrift shop called The Crowded Closet run by the Mennonites. They usually have fabric and lots of craft items. In the same shopping area is a Stuff, Etc. store and there is a second store in the Coralville area. Hubby spent a lot of time at the VA so I got to shop!
Your plan to stay at Hope Lodge makes so much sense. Resting and doing a few fun things will be just right. So thankful for your good doctor!
Prayers for your treatments to go well and you will have this cancer knocked back again. I’m glad to hear you are staying there and don’t have to get up so early and drive. You are planning some interesting things to visit and do while you are there. So happy they were willing to let you get some extra things done while you were there today and that Kalissa was there with you.
Yippee on your great brain! It is always good to keep your head. I can see why you love Dr. Yang. He listens and he thinks. He doesn’t just act like a robot. I think the Hope Lodge is a wonderful idea. There is no reason to spend so much time on travel. I like your plans to see family and local thrift and quilt shops. I am sure you will have plenty of cross stitch on hand. And yes, your prayer warriors will be so very busy! You are loved here and above.
Hi Jo, I am so happy that Hope Lodge found room for you! I live close by, and would like to offer to drive you to The Little Red Hen in Muscatine. There are nice quilt shops in Tipton, West Branch, Williamsburg, Amana, and South Amana, and most of them are within 25 miles of Iowa City, and I would happily offer to drive you to any or all of them. If you like Hu Hot Mongolian Grill or want to try the restaurants in Amana, we could try that out too, or any other place you would like to try. If you are feeling well enough during these treatments, please let me know. I am free Monday-Thursday next week.