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Do you remember back in October when Todd fell in the Costco parking lot in the middle of a deluge and then later hurt his hand “helping Ben move“? That’s what he tells everyone, but in reality he was trying to break a bed slat with his wily ninja karate skillz. In his defense he did have a concussion.

But I digress. His hand is still bothering him and not just a little. He saw an orthopedic surgeon in November who didn’t see any broken bones on x-ray, so he gave him a splint to wear. Two weeks ago I went with Todd to see the doctor who is in a Beatles tribute band. Todd introduced him to me as Dr. Cash, a.k.a. George Harrison. He shook my hand while speaking Liverpoolian and I giggled like a school girl. One of my better “mature” moments. Anyhoo, George sent Todd for a thumb/wrist MRI last week and yesterday was the follow up appointment.

The MRI didn’t show anything other than a bit of fluid in one of his thumb joints so the Fab One injected a corticosteroid laced with a bit of Novocaine into the joint. I gave Todd my sage advice for handling injections and then cringed as I watched the needle disappear in his knuckle. He did so good, though! I was rather impressed.

The relief was immediate and he was so happy. Then the mop top with the degree told Todd it was only temporary. Once the Novocaine wore off he’d be sore for a few days. Hopefully the corticosteroid will give him relief after the soreness from the injection is gone. Poor guy.

OH! And get this. I was so nice to him yesterday even though compassion is very low on my list of spiritual gifts. I think I scored a 5 out of 30 for compassion, only to be superseded by organization/administration which was a 2. It’s nice to know I have it in me when it’s needed, though.

***

So today was my bone scan. I had to be at the nuclear medicine department at 9:30 for my injection. After getting shot up with a radioactive dye which bonds to the bones I was free to do whatever I wanted to for the next three plus hours as long as my plans included drinking a lot of fluids. ANY fluids.

This time I knew right where the Starbuck’s was so I hung out there for about an hour with my book, a cinnamon chip scone and… what did I get… let’s see… oh yeah! A Venti White Chocolate Mocha with whip. Yeah, yeah. Not conducive to losing the weight that has taken up residence and really likes the neighborhood. And why shouldn’t it like the neighborhood? There’s always some type of a party going on!

After that was a trip to the biggest Bed, Bath and Beyond I’ve ever seen. Of course, I didn’t see anything I needed or even wanted. Until I was about to leave, that is. I decided to make a quick perusal of the clearance section and I found a beautiful Gorham Lady Anne tall vase to go along with the rest of my Lady Anne pieces. It’s a $60.00 vase and they had it on clearance for $20.00. Isn’t it beautiful? How could I refuse??

My last stop on the way back to the hospital was Panera Bread Company for a delicious sandwich and a soda. And another 30 lovely minutes with my book. Of course, I had to wait about 30 minutes in the nuclear medicine waiting room so that was more time with my book. Do you see why I really don’t mind these doctor’s appointments and such?

The scan was no big deal at all. The technician straps you onto a very skinny, hard table with a wedge under your knees making you bow legged and a big rubber band around your toes making you pigeon toed. Quite the picture, isn’t it? The whole thing took about 45 minutes and I was never so happy to get up from a nap as I was then. My entire body ached from staying perfectly still the whole time.

As I’ve said, I’m certain I’m still dancing with NED (No Evidence of Disease), but I can still feel the tension in my shoulders and it’s not from laying on the table. It’s not something I’m worrying about, but I know I’ll be relieved to hear the doctor tell me tomorrow there was nothing more than a little degenerative bone disease. Funny how “degenerative bone disease” doesn’t sound so bad in relation to cancer.

I will, of course, post after I hear from the doctor’s office – hopefully tomorrow, but maybe on Thursday. For now I’m going to bed so I’ll have all the energy I need to catch up on laundry and ironing tomorrow.

16 Comments

  1. April on January 30, 2008 at 1:18 am

    OH YAY !! I’m first, I’m first, I’m first….to comment that is…I am usually like #15 or something. Okay on to my comment (I’m nervous someone will sneak up and push post and beat me) Okay now really….I’m really sorry you had to lay there soooo long on that hard table…not fun. Prayerfully you will have some good news for us in the next post. In the meantime rest up friend.Oh! Love the Gorham vase…good deal!

  2. Becky on January 30, 2008 at 1:53 am

    Beautiful vase, and terrific deal!!Dancing with NED, lol. Good one!I’ll check in tomorrow. Saying prayers for ya!

  3. Anne on January 30, 2008 at 10:07 am

    Hugs! Poor Todd. Sigh. And poor you! That running around to Starbucks and Panera sounds good though. LOL I’m going to keep you in my prayers that you’re cancer-free and when you get the negative results, let’s toast with our Starbucks coffees. Sound good? Heh

  4. Monnik on January 30, 2008 at 10:39 am

    Aw, you were so sweet to Todd. Hope it makes him all better.The vase is gorgeous. Is that a picture of it in your house or did you find that online somewhere?Hope you get the best news ever from the doc today.

  5. His Girl on January 30, 2008 at 11:41 am

    what an impression you have made on me about ‘making the most of it’girrrrrl, my prayers for you this exact moment are that you would get the exact news that God has planned for you in His perfect will. I have hope that it’s excellent news and I can’t wait to read it.blessings, a

  6. Jenster on January 30, 2008 at 11:53 am

    April – Yay! You’re first!! :o) Thanks for the prayers, friend.Becky – My on-line chemo buddies came up with “dancing with NED”. We like NED. :o)Anne – I’m there with the Starbuck’s! lolMonnik – I found that picture on-line. Maybe I’ll get around to snapping a shot of all my vases (only 3 Lady Anne – but my good crystal is Lady Anne, too. I love it.)His Girl – Thank you. I have a whole post about how God’s been speaking to me A LOT lately – I’d have to be a complete idiot not to have heard Him. But your comment about God’s plan for me fits in with it. :o)

  7. Lynilu on January 30, 2008 at 12:43 pm

    Oh, I love how you spent the day! Well, the scan part didn’t appeal, but the rest was trés cool! I haven’t set foot in a BB&B for 2 years! the closest is 3 hours away, and when I am in the city, I have so many places that I haven’t shopped that I never get caught up! My life is SO sad! And I look for Panera when I travel. My favorite lunch spot!I so jealous!!!!

  8. Tanya on January 30, 2008 at 12:53 pm

    I am anti-BB&B, I went in there once and almost suffocated for lack of clean pure oxygen.I’m glad you are doing well and getting lots of reading time with White Mocha Lattes.

  9. Dev on January 30, 2008 at 12:59 pm

    What a cool way to spend the day (sans the bone scan). I’m hoping and praying you are cancer free!Poor Todd and the injection! I had to have one in my foot one time and it is absolutely no fun.

  10. Jenster on January 30, 2008 at 1:10 pm

    Lynilu – It’s kind of a shame I always have the most fun when I’m doing some medical thing or another. lolTanya – No clean, pure oxygen? That’s not a good thing!Dev – Thanks for the prayers! Todd’s had an injection in his foot before, too. I’m not positive, but I imagine he would say that was even worse. Still, the one in his knuckle didn’t look fun at all.

  11. Debbielou on January 30, 2008 at 4:25 pm

    My thoughts and prayers for good news are with you -all the way from the UK x

  12. Travis Erwin on January 30, 2008 at 5:03 pm

    Here’s hoping the test comes in free and clear. And tell Todd to lay off the hitchhiking so his thumb can recuperate.

  13. radioactive girl on January 30, 2008 at 5:12 pm

    They should really pad the tables we have to lie on. Maybe that select comfort foam stuff? I actually don’t mind the doctor visits either. It is usually quiet in the waiting room and I either knit or just sit and read a magazine…both things I don’t often get to do when home with my 4 kids!I can’t wait to hear that you had a clean scan.

  14. Shauna on January 30, 2008 at 5:31 pm

    Jen, how is it that you write about doctor’s appointments and bone scans, and I’m LAUGHING OUT LOUD! I just love your sense of humour. And good on ya, with the 5/30 compassion. That’s about my limit as well. 😉 I’m sayin’ prayers for ya!

  15. Sing4joy on January 30, 2008 at 6:34 pm

    Jen! Sounds like a lovely day. I am super impressed that you spent 45 minutes on that table and didn’t pee yourself after drinking all those liquids! You’re the master! Love the vase too. Oh – and as for the compassion thing – maybe you’re using it all up on me…

  16. Sherry on January 30, 2008 at 9:43 pm

    Have I told you lately that you and NED make a beautiful couple?!? Well if I haven’t — YOU DO!!!! Big hug and I’m so happy for you….I love this vase — it’s gorgeous and you definitely got it for a steal!!!!Keep dancin girlfriend!!!!

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