Julie can't eat cheese

So let’s start with some GREAT news: I had my CT and bone scans on 1/5 and there is NO evidence of metastatic disease. 🙌🏼🙌🏼🙌🏼 Thank you to everyone for sending good vibes/positive energy/prayers! I promise I am also sending it back out into the universe.

That was the short story – here are the longer details! I checked in for my scans on 1/5 and was told I had a flavor choice for my barium drink: berry, mochaccino, or banana. I asked which was most popular and was told berry – berry it is. A nurse called me back to start an IV. I was given an injection for the bone scan (nuclear medicine!). The nurse asked which flavor drink I choose and I said I heard berry was the most popular. He said would you rather have the one that tastes the best? Yes, please – mochaccino, I change my order!

I had to wait 90 minutes after drinking the barium to start the CT scan. I planned to do work and lugged my heavy work bag, but my IV and the bandage around it were a little high and I couldn’t bend my arm. Instead, I did a meditation, read, and answered emails on my phone with an outstretched arm. I got called in for my CT scan – I’ve never had one before – it was pretty quick! The CT tech told me I’d be having it with and without contrast. He warned when the contrast goes into the IV, you feel hot from head to toe and it feels like you have peed your pants. I kind of had to pee, so I clarified, that I would not actually pee. He assured me I would not – you don’t lose any bladder control, it just feels like it and it would go away quickly. All true. I got my IV out after.

I received the CT scan results while I was waiting for the bone scan. No evidence of spread, but it noted a right ovarian teratoma/dermoid. If you don’t know what a dermoid cyst is – it’s the fun ones that have hair, skin or teeth (!!). I had a dermoid cyst removed from my left ovary in 2007 – fondly called my dead baby twin. I have another one?? I have so many questions…

I got called in for my bone scan a short while later. The bone scan took about 10 minutes – you lay on a table while the machine moves slowly over you. They offered me a warm blanket – I love the warm hospital blankets. Then I was free to go. The bone scan results came in over 24 hours later – so of course I was worrying about it being bad news. Thankfully not, but the report did call me old! It noted “degenerative changes.” Rude.

I picked my word to hold for 2023 – MOVE. I was doing a Peloton ride with Tunde and she kept saying MOVE and it spoke to me. I am now seeing/hearing the word MOVE more – move your body, movement is medicine, move forward. I was listening to a meditation this morning and the speaker was talking about how movement is the antidote to worry. So MOVE is my reminder to keep going. Thank you for all the suggestions and phrases! I put them all on a list and printed it. I carry it with me in my journal so have all of your encouragement at the ready when needed.

My new routine: I am not a morning person. At all. Never have been. But I have so many things I need to be doing for recovery that I’m trying to wake up a little earlier than before to start. I am supposed to do stretches to prevent stiffness and cording, lymph massage, and scar massage (all a few times a day). In addition to doctor recommended daily mediation, getting in nature and exercise/walks. Recovery and an anti-cancer lifestyle feel like a full time job!

The new routine I am *attempting* is wake up at 7 (when the alarm goes off – no snoozing!), then either get on the Peloton and do my stretches or go to my new meditation area and listen to a meditation and do scar/lymph massage. I returned to work this week and did 3/4 days – I hit snooze once on Friday, while trying to decide how to start the morning. I know 7 may not sound early to some, but I am a person who requires a lot of sleep to function and not get migraines.

Upcoming appointments: I meet my medical oncologist on 1/11 to learn about treatment. My surgeon called this week and the tumor board recommended the complete node dissection, so my second surgery is scheduled for 1/18.

My surgeon has been right on all of his predictions so far (including no cancer spread shown on bone and CT scans) and he believes I will need chemo – so we’ll see if he’s right on that one too!

Happy new year friends! Are you up to date on all your health screens?