Man! What a drought! I have been so neglectful in posting. Honestly, we are hunkered down in such a routine that life is gloriously - well - boring. That is a good thing for us with MBC!
I do have news. I just had my PET scan and the results were CLEAR! It was such a blessing to hear the news. I know one day that will change, but for now I am basking in the glory. I did receive some sad news. My oncologist is retiring. My second one! He was awesome. I am hopeful that my new oncologist will have the same bedside manner and demeanor. For someone that I see every 3 weeks, it is so important. Fingers crossed!
I also have been having some pretty severe GI issues. I’ve written plenty about my exit point, but this time I’m talking about my entry point, i.e. my mouth! Or I should say throat….we’ll really my esophagus! For the past 6 months it has become increasingly difficult to swallow food. You would never know that based on my bathroom scale!!!
In all seriousness food is getting stuck - all the - time! It started with meat, but it is choosing to not discriminate. Almost anything that I eat is fair game, including water! Some times it is hard to swallow my meds. So, I finally succumbed and saw a GI specialist at Mayo. You guessed it, I have an Endoscopy scheduled for early December. I’m not worried….and the doc assured me that I would get the best sleep on the planet during the procedure. Many thanks to Propofol!
My next brain MRI is January, so until then we will focus on Christmas magic!
Planes! We did manage to take a quick weekend trip to Vermont. I only have one state left to complete the 50! Jamie is committed to make sure I visit all 50 states before I exit this beautiful planet! We also managed a weekend trip to Buffalo to visit Jamie’s dad. Go Bills! Mason was bummed it didn’t snow. I was relieved!
Automobiles! We are driving right now to the airport. I am typing this on my iPhone. I apologize for the erratic prose, but I don’t have the ease of editing that I normally do. So, I’m letting it fly. Fly! Planes! We are driving to Orlando….not to go to the parks, but to MCO (Orlando Airport). We are headed to Italy for the week!!! Bucket list - to take Mason to as many wonderful places that I can! We are all so excited!
Trains! When we land in Rome, we are taking the Bullet train to Florence for a few days. I can’t wait to show Mason this beautiful country! And the food….oh my!!!
Life has been pretty routine and boring, but it also is affording me time to cross off my bucket list, spend amazing time with my loves, and enjoy my life while I can! I am Blessed!
I hope everyone has a wonderful Thanksgiving! I promise to post an update on our Italian vacation! Oh, and I am praying to keep my bottom GI area in check! Bring on the Immodium! I know, I know! TMI!
Ciao!
XOXO
Wow! I randomly found your Stack on the app. You sound incredibly brave. Your post gave me comfort. My father is dying of stage four metastatic melanoma. I’ve been writing about it on my Stack. That’s so amazing that you and your son are enjoying the time you have. How special for both of you. Life is such a blessing and a gift, and it’s so short. The older I get (I’m 40 in 3 weeks) the more I realize letting go is so much easier than holding on.
Seriously though: Thank you 🙏. I look forward to reading more posts ❤️❤️❤️
Michael Mohr
‘The Incompatibility of Being Alive’
https://reallife82.substack.com/
Renee you look great, so glad to hear of all your good news! Send pics from Italy - we were in Florence with my family over the Thanksgiving holiday, to tough place to leave - have a ball!