Summer break is a wonderful thing for students and teachers alike. We need time to rest, to have less-structured fun, and to find things to do when we get bored. In my last post, I shared the start of my closet cleaning project. One week later the closet is looking good!
Closet Project Completed.
Here’s a photo of my closet in its current state. This is the result of that pile you saw in the previous post! Isn’t it nice?
Now I am able to locate items easily and I feel no stress as I enter my closet. I was also excited that I could vacuum in there with no obstacles! Small joys, right?
Bonus joys from the closet.
Several bonus joys have happened as well. My cat is enjoying the shoe box that no longer holds all of my old photos!
Remember when we used to take our film to a store and wait a few weeks to get the images back on a 4×6 glossy piece of paper? All of those photos are currently organized into an awesome photo box that holds lots of smaller photo boxes. I’m glad I found that 70% discount at Michael’s, otherwise the cat would not be in the box, my pictures would still be in there!!
I love revisiting the past in those old pictures. Remembering old friends, good times and bad times, laughing out loud and feeling a twinge of regret. I realize that I did not know how to be a good friend to some of those people. I hope to do better moving forward.
Another bonus was rediscovering a gift that my mother-in-law gave me many years ago when she returned from Hawaii. It was rolled up in a box for over 20 years and it is about time that I find a frame for this very thoughtful gift. Here is a picture of the framed gift!
Filling Time while Waiting for Appointments
This week seemed to slog along as we waited for my husband, Travis, to see the radiologist at VCU Health on Friday. He did have a midweek appointment with his palliative medicine doctor.
Travis has often expressed his good impression of the palliative care team at St. Francis Hospital. This was my first visit and I completely understand why he sings their praises. That team is able to work through the pharmacy/insurance red-tape, and they work quickly and efficiently. For anyone who is dealing with chronic pain, this is priceless! What impressed me was how the doctor attentively & actively listened to Travis and to me. As an educator, I appreciate that quality immensely.
Taking care of myself.
I did make time this week to enjoy a few things. I love walking in my local park, and I love to sit on my back porch listening to the birds. Early in the day the cats will join me on the porch and we ‘chill out’ together. I even ordered a diffuser of my favorite scent from Ireland. Many of you know that I went on a tour of Ireland last year. While venturing through The Burren national park, we stopped at a visitor center. That is where I purchased my first Irish Whistle and discovered this scent which makes me feel serene. It is called Burren Ash from a company called Gruaig, which is Irish for ‘hair’. I wish you could smell it.
The radiologist appointment.
Friday finally arrived and we made our way to the radiologist appointment at VCU (Virginia Commonwealth University). Though we questioned the reason for this appointment, we left feeling as if it was beneficial in this ever-evolving process.
First, the radiologist gave Travis the choice of treatment in his office or at St. Francis, where we were prepared to begin radiation last week. Travis wants to use the St. Francis team and the VCU radiologist is 100% behind that decision. Next, he showed us the CT scans of the tumor and explained the images.
While I was staring at the monitor, I found myself being equally fascinated and terrified as he scrolled through the images. We were able to see the large shadow that is covering the left pubis bone (Fig 5). I controlled my urge to get my phone to take a video the screen and my urge to cry as I imagined how much pain this must be creating in Travis’ body. We stayed about 30 minutes asking questions, staring at the screen, and expressing our concerns & frustrations. The doctor was magnificent and even helped us with a comfortable laugh near the end of our visit.
What we discovered at the radiologist.
The doctor believes that this tumor has the characteristics of LMS (Leiomyosarcoma) and is hesitant to be definitive on a course of action. While he wants to let the tumor board weigh in first, he did suggest a few more tests. An MRI will give better imagery of the sarcoma and a PET scan will let us know if the sarcoma exists elsewhere in the body.
It is likely the treatment will include radiation and chemotherapy. As for surgery, the placement of the tumor will require and confident and skilled surgeon. It isn’t a consideration right now. He assured us that this is just a lull before treatment really begins and soon it will all move very quickly.
We were eager to hear something by the end of the day Friday from the board of doctors who reviewed Travis’ case; yet no word came, so Monday is when we hope to know more. The radiologist did call at 6:30 PM on a Friday (that was impressive) to let us know he was scheduling a PET scan and that it looked like the orthopedic doctor is scheduling an appointment for Travis. Are you familiar with the phrase “Hurry up and wait!”?
More Joyful Moments.
During the past few weeks, we have experienced an overflow of encouragement, support, love and prayers. Travis has a group of friends who have remained close for 30-40 years now and they gathered this week at our home. They came to listen to Travis, laugh about some old times and pledge their support to the two of us. We learned about everyone’s struggles. It’s good to share them and do our best to help one another.
Many of my longtime friends have also been very encouraging and offering to be here when I need them. I love and appreciate this outpouring of the best part of the human spirit. Peggy and Teri shared real life examples of how rare sarcomas are not the end of life, just an obstacle along the way. I appreciate them reaching out. Thank you, my friends!
While it occasionally feels like there are just two of us experiencing this, each time we enter another doctor’s office we take all of your encouragement, support, love and prayers along with us. We are all in this together. We cannot express in words how grateful we are for those of you who have reached out to us. You bring us Joy!
Moving forward.
Travis has begun his short-term disability leave from work which has been a tremendous relief for both of us. Soon, we will know how to go about getting rid of this sarcoma and life will be all about getting tests and treatments. I pray that the treatments will release Travis from the pain and return him to a good quality of life. I am doing my best to find the joy in this lull before the whirlwind begins.
We also draw strength from the Word of God and the loveliest group of flawed individuals who gather at our church. I leave you with a portion of Psalm 46,
God is our refuge and strength,
a help always near in times of great trouble.
2 That’s why we won’t be afraid when the world falls apart,
when the mountains crumble into the center of the sea,
3 when its waters roar and rage,
when the mountains shake because of its surging waves.