Another step in the journey

I am coordinating most of my visits through my Hopkins Medical Oncologist's Nurse Practicitioner, so when I received a message from her yesterday requesting I meet with the Hopkins Orthopeadic Oncologist today, I called in my volunteers and got ready. So, dad and I traveled there today to meet with Dr.Weber. For those of you who remember, she put a titanium rod and four screws in my left femur in August 2008. And I love her because she gets me. She knows I'm not there to gather dust and in 2008 she looked me in the eye and said I could plan at least one but probably two, nights in the hospital. I told looked right back and told her to have the discharge papers ready because I was walking out after a one-night stay. She had them ready and I was on my way. One night. Since that surgery in 2008, she and I have communicated via e-mail once in a while and I have a lot of confidence in her. So, today she assessed me and reviewed the xrays with me and told me that my small pelvic fracture is will not delay brain lesion surgery and is usually treated with radiation. My pelvis has been radiated before, but I am unsure of the size, dose and duration and my Radiation Oncologist is out until Monday. He is here at City, knows me well and I think he is wonderful. I have every confidence we will be talking on Monday.

What does this all mean? Well, basically some of the puzzle pieces are in place and now I have some other questions to investigate. The brain lesion means DO NOT DRIVE andm the pelvis fracture means DO NOT FALL. Although they do want me to move around, just assisted with crutches and/or a wheelchair. Tomorrow I should receive a call with all the times of my pre operative appointments which will take place at Johns Hopkins, Tuesday of next week. The surgery to remove my brain lesion will take place at Johns Hopkins, Wednesday of next week. I will post times when I have them.

Also, dealing with my kind of cancer takes a huge support group. This is going to be a long process and one thing I have learned is that I do much better when I take it in steps. I would like to really thank Glen and Cindy for helping take care of the boys. I want to thank my dad for being my chauffeur and conversationalist. Thanks to everyone at work for knowing I would really like to be in the office, but my schedule is so up in the air. Thanks so much to everyone for their kind words, e-mails and texts. The boys are set for Thursday, Friday, and Saturday. On Friday night they are going to sleepover with Brittany and Scott so Brad and I can sit down and talk everything over. We will set a plan for next week so everyone can be prepared for my call. If you offered to help, I may be calling YOU! LOL!

Something you should know is that I'm not scared. I feel confident. My kids seem to be adjusting well. We are paring down activities because the future may be a little uncertain(although I did go to Trent's game last night) . I know I am so fortunate to have a wonderful support group let by my best friend, Brad, who is also trying to digest all this information. You are all helping meet our needs and I know there are lots of prayers being said for us. It may be a little crazy right now, but it could be worse!!