Tanya's Cancer Blog

February 17, 2007

Ok, so I FINALLY got the CT results yesterday. The lung “noodle” is most likely a small calcified granuloma, consistent with those that develop after some type of respiratory infection (ie, valley fever, pneumonia, etc). But, because of my past history, I now need to see a pulmonary specialist to double check. I asked the nurse in plain english, that if I didn’t already have cancer no one would be worrying about this, right? She said yes. Everyone keeps saying this is good news but I still can’t relax! My mind has grown extremely skeptical no matter what I tell it.

More waiting…

My brother’s father-in-law is a retired radiologist and offered to look at the results and tell me what he can. Maybe if I hear it from a family member I’ll chill out knowing he wouldn’t lie to me! I guess just the way everything has gone with the cancer diagnosis I always feel like my doctors are withholding information until they know something for sure. I’m unfortunately not someone who’s comforted by words, I need facts. Maybe it’s from the years of studying biology, and having a sister and father who are doctors I’m sure. I realize that doctors are not gods and surely make mistakes.

Good news…

My head feels like a fuzzy kitten.

Bad news…

My leg hair is coming back with a vengeance.

I’m very excited about my recent visit to the HRT specialist! Yesterday I had blood drawn to test every hormone possible, so next week I should have my very own, personalized hormone replacement therapy! She tested me for 2 types of estrogen (we normally have 3), progesterone, testosterone, all of my thyroid levels, my FSH (follicular stimulating hormone, shouldn’t have any!), cholesterol, and a CMP (complete metabolic panel). Talk about thorough! The HRT will be creams that I rub on my wrists everyday. No pills, no patches! All bio-identical, plant-based, no synthetics. Even though my surgical menopause symptoms haven’t been too extreme, I’m really looking forward to getting as close to normal as possible.

Next week I might be going to rocky point mexico with my mom for 4 days! I got the go-ahead from my doc to go in the water, and I think I’ll look for a bikini this week. Of course I will be showing off my new scar, I’m very proud. It’s only a 4 hour drive from here and we can get a condo over-looking the ocean for $100 a night. Maybe the sand and salt air will make me forget about the lung noodle!

Posted on February 17, 2007 at 8:45:30 AM by Tanya ( Good news???, 6 comments)

Good news about the fuzz on your head! Mine came back curly when it had always been straight. Super curly until about three months ago… now I’ve got straight roots.

Enjoy the vacation and know that sometimes a lung noodle is just that… a noodle.

Posted on February 17, 2007 at 9:00:52 AM by slockwooclimbs

I hear the cream is good, no pills. I wish i could say that.

Sherri

Posted on February 17, 2007 at 1:00:54 PM by karlak

Ah! Good good, glad that it came up okay. Don’t stress though, because who would have thought that even the good news can still sound like bad? Take it as it is and pray that that’s it. I’ll be pitching in on that area for ya too.

As for the leg hair, I shaved about 4 weeks ago. It has yet to come back, it’s a perk to this whole losing your hair thing I’ll tell ya that much. I just hope it doesn’t come back with such vengeance that I’ll need to take a saw to it. O.O

I’m a chubby little one, I was aiming this summer to get into a bikini but it’s probably not best to be so exposed to sun so soon. I was kind of bummed that I had a big ugly scar… But you mentioned the word “proud” and even though I no longer have the perfect color pallet for a swim suit model, I can still feel pretty just because you mentioned the idea of it being a defeat over something horrid rather then just an ugly purple line.

Posted on February 17, 2007 at 11:06:21 PM by gemmag

Gemma…you should be very proud of your war scars! You have survived! I’m actually planning on getting a tattoo over my scar in a few months…maybe a vine growing with a few flowers, and possibly a hummingbird. I figure if I’m going to have an 8 inch purple scar I might as well make it interesting!

Posted on February 18, 2007 at 8:32:24 AM by tanya

Tanya – Everything you hear is hard after you have the big C. It sounds like it will be okay.
I like the idea of Mexico – what fun! Take pictues and please post them.
Hugs
Karen

Posted on February 18, 2007 at 10:08:59 PM by kleebeck

Hi Ta:

We want to see the fuzzy kitty head! Is Mowgli jealous??

-Peter

Posted on February 21, 2007 at 7:35:36 AM by Peter (unverified)