A big HELLO to family members, relatives, friends and other readers of this blog,

Well, Karen had her second PET scan last Tuesday (07/24).  Unlike the first one, this scan did not take as long.  When Karen advised the nurse that the first scan took at least 45 minutes, the nurse told Karen it would only take 15 to 20 minutes.  Because Karen already had a PET scan done making her an expert on the scanning procedures, Karen reiterated her concern about the time frame.  Lo and behold, this scan only took about 20 minutes.  When completed the nurse commented to Karen that indeed Karen was a tall woman.   As of this writing, Karen has not heard from her oncologist regarding the results (readings).  Although Karen was sitting on "pins and needles" regarding the outcome, she has chosen not to worry about it anymore.  No news might indeed be "good news." 

Karen did see her oncologist on Wednesday (07/18).   As most of you know, prior to the doctor seeing you, the nursing staff generally perform certain functions such as taking your BP, pulse rate, etc.  As usual, Karen was weighed and walked back to exam room to have her BP taken.  Now the nurses are terrific people and oftentimes very serious.  When Karen sat down in the chair to have her BP taken, the nurse put the BP cup on Karen's left arm and remarked to Karen, "Is this the right?"  Thinking that she was being intellectually and mentally challenged, Karen told the nurse, "No, that's my left arm."  Following Karen's comments, the nurse, and Karen and her mom all began to laugh.  Unfortunately for Karen her BP was being taken while all were laughing.  Karen's BP was slightly elevated.  Oh well, the nurse left the room still laughing as Karen and her mom were still laughing when the doctor came in.  Upon leaving, the nurse told Karen that she indeed was funny and had made her day.  At the conclusion of the doctor's visit, Karen was now placed on a hormonal pill regime.

When Karen finally picked up her new prescription (hormonal pill) two days after her doctor's visit, you guessed it, she was required to have a consultation with the pharmacist.  Now, this pill is a 1 mg tablet and the pharmacist informed Karen that it is prescribed to women only who have breast cancer. (Sorry guys it is not for men).  The two items the pharmacist discussed with Karen were the likelihood of experiencing "hot flashes" again and the time duration of taking this medication (5 years).  Karen asked the pharmacist if she could tell the difference between a hot flash versus the triple digit weather the area was currently having.  The pharmacist just laughed.  Anyhow, Karen read more about the medication and discovered that the side effects (which according to the clinical studies affected only 5 to 10% of women taking it) were equal to or worse than the chemotherapy treatment Karen had received.  Oh well, Karen  is waiting for the hot flashes to occur.  Yes, Karen has talked to other females regarding the signs/symptoms of a hot flash.  One item specifically reiterated by those women who have had hot flashes was taking all of their clothes off and standing in front of a fan to cool off and/or down.   Karen assumed that this stripping maneuver occurred in  the privacy of their homes.  Ha, ha, ha. 

Even though Karen had her last infusion in June, Karen is experiencing the healing process or as she puts it, going through chemo withdrawal.  Her days are usually upbeat and Karen is slowly getting back to her exercise routine (riding her stationary bike, etc.).  Karen is learning to deal with some of her limitations (neuropathy in her hands, the pain in her ribcage, etc).  Karen and her mom have begun to resume some of their routines together (grocery shopping, banking, etc).

Anyhow, thank you to everybody who has kept Karen and her family in your thoughts and prayers while reading this blog.  Without the prayers and positive thoughts, the journey would have been more difficult for Karen and her family.

Tip of this blog:  Life's journey may be long and arduous but you'll never walk alone when you believe in your angelic friends.,