Friday, February 15, 2019

Friday, February 15, 2019

Tonight's picture was taken in February of 2009. I snapped this photo because I loved how Mattie devoured a homemade cupcake! He honestly lived on cupcakes for a period of time at the hospital. Cancer treatment wrecked havoc on Mattie's appetite. He went through a donut phase, a chicken tenders phase, an Utz (and ONLY Utz) potato chip phase, a vanilla shake phase, and  finally a cupcake phase. When ever we were home between hospital stays, I baked dozens of cupcakes, so I would have them available at the hospital!  




Quote of the day: Above all, be the heroine of your life, not the victim.
~ Nora Ephron


My morning started with a ct scan of my abdomen, with and without contrast. The last time I had such a test was back in 2012. Ordered by the same doctor, my urologist. However, in 2012, instead of finding an issue with my bladder, the radiologist found masses on my cervix and said it was indicative of an aggressive form of cancer. The pronouncement left me scared and shocked. But it also added a new doctor to my life, a gyn-oncologist. This doctor followed me with monthly scans for a year. Thankfully, that issue is benign. So needless to say, when my urologist asked me to repeat this scan today, I was less than eager. 

Every person I worked with today for the scan was delightful, starting with the lady who had to insert an IV in my arm for the contrast dye. But I made my wishes known early on in the process today. When Mattie was battling cancer, I learned from one of the hospital radiologists that patients have rights, and we have the right to ask to speak with a radiologist after completing a scan. Well since I learned that IMPORTANT piece of advice, I now always ask to speak to a radiologist so I know immediately what they are seeing on a scan. 

The tech also prepared me for the feeling of the contrast. When this contrast goes into your veins, it literally makes you feel like you are on fire from your head to your toes. Thankfully that feeling passed quickly and thankfully the radiologist saw no cancerous masses. My issues are kidney stones, yet again. Who knew one could be celebrating kidney stones. Considering the alternative, I will take the stones. Now of course, I need to figure out how to deal with them.

When I got home, I went upstairs to wash my hands in the bathroom. Look who followed me up and was eagerly awaiting his walk!

After Sunny's walk, I went grocery shopping, as we are hosting a birthday lunch for our God daughter, Charlotte tomorrow. Her family is coming over with some friends. 

I put a springy (I am hopeful!) table arrangement together.  

Tonight we set the table, so I don't have to worry about it tomorrow morning. In a way, we are cooking a special, almost Thanksgiving day, feast. Including a big turkey! 

PS..... do you see Sunny?? He's worn out, from watching me work all day!

This will be the first dinner we are serving on our new table. When our neighbors moved back to Ireland, they asked me if I wanted to purchase their table and chairs that they bought in Macy's. I am thrilled to have this new set up!