Tag: appointment

Trip to NYC

I had my follow-up visit with my orthopedic oncology surgeon, Dr. Prince today. He is please with how everything is progressing since the latest surgery on March 4. The bone is growing in quite nicely. My next visit with him will be a telehealth visit at the end of July. I did get the “official letter” allowing me to return to bedside nursing. The news I wanted to hear! Praise God! I need to continue with PT, strengthening my right leg and working on increasing my range of motion.
Though I’m glad to return to my “regular job”, I’m grateful for the time I have spent in the office working on things for the unit. I think we were able to get some things situated we had wanted to do for a while and just didn’t have the time or resources.

The next visit to NYC will be July 12th. I will be returning to the MSK main campus for extensive bloodwork, X-rays, a whole body Pet Scan and a CT scan of my chest. Except for the leg X-rays, this is all to check for any recurring cancer in my body. It’s pretty much standard procedure. I’ll have an appointment with my medical oncologist at MSK and then at Guthrie shortly after. I’m claiming Psalm 145:18- “The Lord is near to all who call on him, to all who call on him in truth.” So no matter how things go, He’s got me. ❤️

Thank you for continuing to follow our journey. We appreciate so much your words of encouragement, thoughts, and prayers.
In the words of Paul, “May our Lord Jesus Christ himself and God our Father, who loved us and by his grace gave us eternal encouragement and good hope, encourage your hearts and strengthen you in every good deed and word.”
‭‭2 Thessalonians‬ ‭2:16-17‬

Morning sunrise

Almost home

We are headed back from the post-op visit. It has been raining most of the way, and a bit foggy. We have about an hour left in our journey, depending on the fog and such.

I have a couple of praises to share:
First- the ride down wasn’t bad and I was able to tolerate it with minimal discomfort.
Second- the appointment went well. The hardware and bone all look good. My lab work was all ok also.

I have to go back in two weeks to see how the length of my right leg compares to the left. It was difficult to tell today because I couldn’t stand in a good position between the leg being swollen and it being painful to keep it turned a certain way while doing the X-rays. I will also have these sutures removed. The other six incisions I have all have dissolvable sutures but unfortunately not these.

Oh yeh, another huge praise! I can take a shower! Woo! Up until now I’ve been doing a “bird” bath with a basin of water and washing my hair in the kitchen sink.

Right next to the MSK office is a restaurant. They haven’t been allowed to do indoor dining in NYC for over a year now. Well, this restaurant and many others have improvised so that they can be open even in bad weather. It’s pretty cool how they set it all up. Just wanted to share that. Pictures below.

Again, thank you all for keeping us in prayer. We sure do appreciate it. 💛

Last night

Tonight is my last night of work until sometime after my surgery next Thursday.

We leave next Tuesday morning at about 0400. I have testing starting at about 1100 in New York City. That testing includes blood work as well as a CT scan of my chest and leg. The chest CT is my every four monthly follow-up to check for lung metastasis. The scan of my leg is to see if the bone that has been regenerating is finally grown in. Then we will spend the night Tuesday in a hotel and Wednesday I have my pre-op appointment with Dr. Prince. We will spend another night in a hotel and Thursday morning will be headed to Memorial Sloan Kettering main campus for surgery. I’m not sure of the surgery time yet.

What happens in surgery will depend a lot on what they see when they get in there. If the bone has actually grown all in then the hardware will be removed and not replaced. If that is not the case, then I will have a single titanium rod put in, with a few screws to keep it in place. I’m ok with either outcome. I’m expecting a rod and it will be a bonus if I don’t have one. 😁

Visiting hours are limited to three hours a day all at one time. Therefore, Brian will not be staying down there beyond seeing me after recovery. It will be better for him to come home and then return to get me when I am ready to leave.

The last two surgeries were planned ahead of time like this one, but I ended up having to have emergent surgery before the scheduled date due to hardware malfunctions. Of course, the first surgery was the one where I had to stay in the hospital until surgery because the surgeons were afraid my femur would break.

I think it’s why I’m rather nervous this time around. I actually have time to think about this happening. Haha. Also, the anxiety from waiting for the results of the chest CT always rears it’s ugly head. But, I am trusting that whatever the outcome, the Lord has got me.

I’ll keeep you posted as things develop. You know I’m rather good at that. 😂

He who dwells in the secret place of the Most High Shall abide under the shadow of the Almighty. I will say of the LORD, “He is my refuge and my fortress; My God, in Him I will trust.”
‭‭Psalms‬ ‭91:1-2‬

Headed home

We are headed home after the appointment with Dr. Nacev, medical oncologist. He is a very nice guy. Definitely personable.

The CT scan was good. The spot in my lung is still there and hasn’t changed. Praise God! Dr. Nacev called it more than likely scar tissue from who knows what. My next chest CT will be in January. Dr. Nacev will coordinate it to be at the same time as the CT on my leg.

We actually shouldn’t be going back to NYC until January. It’ll be virtual appointments and labwork/x-rays at RPH. We said “Merry Christmas” to everyone at the office because we won’t see them before that. Lol

Thank you to all for holding us up in prayer. You are a blessing. We appreciate you. 💛

Today’s appointment

Today was my appointment with Dr. Prince, the orthopedic oncologist at Sloan Kettering. Well, actually it was with Molly Klima, his PA. She’s wonderful. I’ll never forget her after the first surgery and how kind and helpful she was.

I had x-rays done before the appointment. The bone is growing in quite nicely. The area that is slow is down by my knee. I’ve showed that picture before. Apparently that is almost always the problem with anyone who has this kind of procedure done. I thought maybe it was a problem for me because of my age. I asked Molly if that was the case. She said I actually am ahead of the curve as far as bone growth, despite my age, because I did not have chemotherapy. A lot of people who get osteosarcoma are younger. They also opt to do the distraction osteogenesis as I had done, but it takes longer for their bone to grow because it gets slowed down from chemotherapy.

Remember at the beginning of all of this I mentioned that I chose not to do chemotherapy even though it was recommended? I felt that the Lord was directing me not to. I’ve never once questioned that decision. Many of my family and friends were upset with my choice. I think now I know why I was led away from that route. At my age of 52, the bone takes longer to grow anyways. Imagine adding chemo into that mix.

At this point, the next surgery is scheduled for mid to late January. I will need to come down and have a CT of my right leg a week or two prior. That will give Dr. Prince clearer direction as to whether I will need to have a titanium rod placed in that surgery after removal of all the hardware that is in my leg now. But, the real answer to that question won’t come until they are in there and have taken all of the current hardware out. Then they can see if that bone down by the knee has grown in and attached. If so, then I won’t need a rod. So I guess it’s a wait and see kind of thing.

All I know is that I just need to keep trusting in the Lord and letting Him direct things. He is so faithful and He sure seems to know what He’s doing. 😊

💛💛💛💛
Blessings,
Tricia

The difficult areas

Funny how we come up with ideas as to how things should go and when they don’t go as planned we are disappointed. It’s ok to be disappointed, but as a Christ believer and follower I should know by now that the Lord’s plans certainly work better than my own. I don’t always understand what’s in store for me or my family but He does. I have to trust that it’s all for His good and glory.

Yesterday I had my zoom appointment with Dr. Prince (my orthopedic oncologist). Surgery will probably be in January. It was supposed to be the surgery to remove all the hardware. Most of the bone is growing in beautifully. But, apparently there is an area of concern that is not growing bone the way it should. He says it’s the most difficult area and it’s just not cooperating.
At this point, Dr. Prince is planning on taking all of the hardware out that is in and putting in one shorter titanium rod that will stay in permanently. It’ll have a couple of screws to hold it in place.

I was hoping that my next and last surgery would be to remove all of the hardware for good. I’m grateful to have my leg and no more cancer at this point, so I’ll trust that there is a reason for whatever happens.

We have some time before then, and I’m asking for your prayers. God already knows what’s going to happen, but He loves when we talk to Him, so I’m asking you to do that please.

Thank you.


Blessings,

Tricia

The problematic areas.

“My fear doesn’t stand a chance…”

I had my PET scan earlier today. It went well. I even took a short nap during the two hour time. I won’t know the results until maybe Friday.

The nice tech asked me what music I wanted to listen to during the scan. I told her contemporary Christian. The first song that came on was by Josh Baldwin. It’s called “Stand in Your Love.” Perfect for how I was feeling. It’s based on 1 John 4:18- “There is no fear in love; but perfect love casteth out fear…”
The whole experience reminded me of having that long scan before my first surgery in January of last year, only this time I wasn’t having the pain I was having then. The song brought tears to my eyes and I tried not to bawl because I wasn’t supposed to move. Lol

Thank you all for praying. And thank you to my friend Sharlene for coming in to hang out with me. It means a lot folks.

You know, Jesus perfect love can cast out all fear. I’m thankful for that reminder today.
“My fear doesn’t stand a chance when I stand in Your love…”

Beautiful weekend

It sure was a beautiful weekend! Brian got a couple of turkeys, then we hung out with the grandboys, today we had drive-in church, and then Brian and I took a drive around the hill tonight.

Tomorrow, I have a whole body PET scan at 2pm. This is to check for cancer anywhere in my body. It’s a common test that is done after someone has had osteosarcoma.
I know there’s no reason for me to worry, whatever the results. I keep coming back to this passage of scripture-
“He that dwelleth in the secret place of the most High shall abide under the shadow of the Almighty. I will say of the Lord, He is my refuge and my fortress: my God; in him will I trust.”
‭‭Psalms‬ ‭91:1-2‬

I trust that your weekend was just as blessed as ours. 💛

Thoughts

Sitting in the airplane, headed home from an appointment in NYC.

Looking out over the clouds. Before the clouds I could see all the land underneath. The amazing bodies of water. Some were so clear that you could see the landmarks under the water. Wow. What an awesome creation by an Awesome Creator.

Then, as we went above the clouds, all these thoughts come to mind. How amazing will it be when Jesus comes through the clouds to take His followers home. What will it be like for those who are left behind? How about those who are on an airplane when their Christ-following pilots are taken right out of their seats? Oh my word. I mourn for them.

I can’t even imagine the horrors and terror that will ensue for those who are left after Jesus returns.

*But, I can’t think of that for too long.*

I can only imagine the joy and awe that I will be experiencing. I’ll do my weeping and praying now for those who will be left behind, as I share God’s truth with them, but won’t be doing it then.

Please don’t be one of those who are left behind. I would love to share with you how you can know that you won’t be.

“For the Lord himself shall descend from heaven with a shout, with the voice of the archangel, and with the trump of God: and the dead in Christ shall rise first: Then we which are alive and remain shall be caught up together with them in the clouds, to meet the Lord in the air: and so shall we ever be with the Lord.”

‭‭1 Thessalonians‬ ‭4:16-17‬ ‭KJV‬‬

❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️

‭‭

Last NYC Visit this Year

December 18,2019

It has been a pretty nice day. We had our trip to NYC. We were planning on driving, but at the last moment were able to got on a flight with the Corporate Angel Network to and from. What a blessing!

The appointment with Dr. Prince was great. He said everything looks good. You can see the bone in my leg is growing more and more. Next appointment is in January and then, as long as all is well, not until March.

This was the first time I walked through the hallway at E. 60th street, or anywhere at MSKCC with NO crutch. Praise the Lord!

Because we flew we got there plenty early. We had breakfast at an overpriced diner and then went into an overpriced (store closing) Barney’s. That was hilarious. I’ve never seen such expensive stuff that was supposedly on sale. 😳

After that we went to my appointment – got blood work and X-rays then went upstairs to see Dr. Prince. We were about 2+ hours early. I asked nice lady, Nicole, at the front desk if there was a chance we could get in early. She checked with nice lady, Kate, in the back who said, “Yes, we can squeeze you in.” Woo!

We didn’t have to wait very long then Roberta came in. She was the NP who worked with Dr. Boland and got me admitted when I first went there in January. She also rounded on me while I was in the hospital before that first surgery. I told her how grateful we were for everything and she said it made her day to see me doing so well.

Then we saw Dr. Prince’s PA, Molly. She said the X-rays looked great. Dr. Prince came in after that and reiterated what she said. He told us that my walking a little off kilter will get better as my muscles get stronger from doing what I have been doing- walking, using the elliptical, and some other things.

I, being the dork that I am, started crying, thanked him profusely and gave him a big hug. He said it was his pleasure and especially for a fellow healthcare worker. Made my day.

After that we had 3+ hours to hang out before the flight back. We went to the Plaza Food Hall right off Central Park. That place is too cool!

We walked for a short bit around Central Park. I held on to Brian’s arm for a good part of it because it was a bit slippery. Brian got some great pictures of the ducks/geese in the pond. We still had time left after, once we decided it was cold and wanted to go somewhere warm, so of course we made our way to a Starbucks.

Our flight did get delayed by a short bit because of the weather, but now we are home safe and sound, and tired out from lots of walking.

The last visit of 2019 is done. Thank you everyone for keeping me/us in your thoughts and prayers. God is good!

Enjoy the many pictures.

“The LORD is my strength and my shield; my heart trusted in him, and I am helped: therefore my heart greatly rejoiceth; and with my song will I praise him.”

– ‭‭Psalms‬ ‭28:7‬ ‭KJV‬‬