Second ENT Aftercare Visit: Update on Sinuses Status

4 August 2005  HAPPY BIRTHDAY  MR. IBDC !!

 

Random Thoughts about My First Week of August 2005

1a) I always say "rabbit" on the first day of every month. I try to say it alot actually, "they" say it is good luck.

1b) Apparently, not a good day for the fresh road-kill mommy bunny I saw taking a pavement nap in front of our house the same day. Perhaps she was an abbusive parent and the baby bunnies are the lucky ones. I doubt it. 

2a) It is the appropriate thing to do (I keep telling myself.)

2b) It really is not that easy to feed the new pet baby bunnies with an eyedropper. I don't care what the vet told you! Hey, they have teeth too!

3a) Good day to trim hedges. Found the trimmer and extension cords that reach from recepticle to shrub!!

3b) Why does it seem that the trimmer blades are really dull until... they hit the power cord??           WHY?!

4a) While trimming, I see something in the bushes...

4b) For God sakes, how many baby bunnies are there in the standard litter?

 

See ya, I have to go heat the milk!!

The Waiting Game

3 June 2005 (10 days since CT)

I won't bore 'us' (I like talking in plural now) with the details. Let's just say "expect the worst and it won't be as bad as 'we' thought." Yep. SURGERY, Again. This time 'we' are doing sinus sugery for: 1. a deviated septum (Did I know that I once broke my nose?? Nope-but I do now!!) 2.  chronic sinusitis and cyst formation (Did I know that I had sinus disease? Nope- but ...) 3. A look at that nasty little spot on my voice-box (Do I realize that as a cancer survivor I should quit smoking? YES-I'm not stupid!)

Alrighty then. Summer surgery number 4. This is getting ridiculous now. Can't "we" get sick in the Winter, just once??

Facial CAT Scan (not to be confused with eating pussy cats either!)

24 May 2005

 Dr. Schell decides to make this a special event too. Bonus activity... let's inject some dye into Tracy's vein so that we can see her innards in technicolor. Do I like this guy or not?

I, of course, end up with a nurse that has just recently returned to work after a few years "off" (and for what reason I might ask?) And then, my question is answered by her deeds, not her words. This chick is literally DIGGING around in my arm with  her needle to "catch" a vein. I explained to her, while she was starting to inject, that I have had chemo. and my veins are very hard to enter...perhaps a... YEOWWCH, smaller...hey I said "OWWWWWCHH" already. Now use a smaller friggin' needle or I am outta here.

She finally pulls out the needle. Because I am now in lala land. Smelling salts. Lights, camera, action, I'm Baaccckkk.

Pale and sweaty I say to her, calmly, though through gritted teeth, "Do ya think 'we' could try a smaller needle this time maybe????" I now burn her name and face on my DO NOT CALL list forever. Cathy, with head tilted says, "I think 'we' might have to try a tiny needle, but it will take a few seconds longer for the dye to enter your arm." Now I want to say "No Cath, where has your sense of adventure gone? Let's use the fat needle and take three times longer just trying to enter the vein so that 'we' can get the dye to go in faster-DUMBASS!" However, I am too exhausted to fight and I lie back in complete resignation of the fact the there is no 'we', SHE is the master and commander of this mission.

CT-Scan goes fine. Jon, the technician is friendly, clean, well-groomed. No problems. "Why do I have to wear a gown if the CT is just for my face?" I think to myself as I lie on the CT table. "Oh, and where do they keep the cat?" delerium has finally hit.

"OUCH Dammit, now that REALLY hurts!!"

May 17 2005

We decide to go to a specialist- Dr. Schell, ENT, to have my nose and sinuses looked at. Of course, this cannot go without some uncomfortable procedure. Okay, let's see what will really make the patient claw for the ceiling??? Aha, stick a fiber optic tube up her nose and down her throat; That should do it nicely. And it should seem high tech so as to justify the OUTRAGEOUS bill I will send her insurance company. I AM a Specialist you know! 

Well, "we" see (he sees and relays to us, his captive audience,) lots of infection, chronic, and... a SPOT on the larynx. OMG, OMG, OMG, Not the dreaded spot sighting, I've already had that and DO NOT like the sounds of it.  

I burst into hysterics. DC calms me and reassures the doc that I am just reacting normally given my past history with spots. Of course, I want to break out into MacBeth and do the Lady MacBeth "Out Out Damned Spot" routine to break the tension. DC senses this and gives me the no-don't look.

CT-Scan is scheduled for the following Tuesday. I try not to worry when he tells his nurse, "Get her in ASAP."

FOR THE LOVE OF THE BABY JESUS-NOW WHAT???

May 11, 2005

We're home from the ER. Not bad, only a 3 hour wait. Thank-God I wasn't bleeding from every oraface!!

They took X-rays. They see something in the face. Must have a CT Scan to be sure.

Probably just sinus infection. Must be sure though.

I call the city-renowned team of Lipman, Schell, et.al. ENTs.

If you have never been, I must tell you that these guys were the bullied kids of our childhood and they are on a lifelong mission to hurt everyone in their path. I bet childbirth does not hurt as much as someone sticking a medical instrument up your nose and down your throat!! Holy Crimeny OUCH

"OMG- I just know it's a brain tumor!!

May 10, 2005

 I have been experiencing these killer headaches below my left eye.

I am very worried.

What if I have a brain tumor?? Yep, that's it. A brain tumor. I just know it-I am going to die from cancer this time. It is always there and it is just waitng to get me during a weak moment (when I begin to enjoy life and think that it has gone away for good.)

I finally tell DC "We must go to the ER (Yech)-- I just know that I have a brain tumor and I am going to die."

He chuckles at my mock panic, "OK. Let's go, there isn't anything else to do today."

We jump into the car with our ERWSK (SAY EARWHISK) ER Waiting Supply Kit:

Bottled water,pain pills, crossword puzzles, novel, magazines, unread mail, pencils/pens, notebook, chewing gum, insurance and ID cards, any recent medical info., list of meds. and allergies, sweatshirt, and any other creature comfort you may need in the next 12 hours!!

High (pain pills) Hoe its to the hospital we go!! Since we'll stay all night, let's hope they get this right, High hoe...