Medical Update: When Life Throws a Rock in Your Direction...

...duck and just keep on pressing forward with the journey of your life.

"Declare that you will prosper despite every difficulty that may come your way. Don’t just survive; thrive!"

Pastor Joel Osteen - Facebook 2/28/13

"Be a big dreamer. Don't make little plans" - 2/28

"Take a few minutes every day to dream big dreams; close your eyes, and envsion your dreams coming to pass. If you can establish that picture in your heart and mind, then God can begin to bring it to pass in your life". -  3/1

Pastor Joel Osteen in Your Best Life Begins Each Morning: Devotions to start every day of the year.

The Picture? - http://tinyurl.com/azmya8m

The past couple of days have been event filled ones, from being on a bus on Wednesday, on the freeway, as its windshield was struck by a rock flung in its direction by a car that must have hit it, to a day of important doctors’ appointments, yesterday, and follow-up news today.

I reduced the tension on the bus, making everyone laugh, by apologizing to one and all for the fact that  someone must have learned I was from California, was on this particular bus, and so they decided to express their thoughts on my moving here.

"But, I'm not from THAT part of California and I'm NOT that type of Californian, honest!"

Though I was late I accomplished what I had set out to do on the 3 hour trip to Willowbrook Mall.

Yesterday was a big day. I had 2 appointments, one at MD Anderson regarding an evaluation of the cancerous right eye, the other at Ben Taub for a follow-up on the Vitrectomy done to fix the left eye.

The docs at Ben Taub were more than pleased with the way my left eye looked, which was great news to me as I ended a very long day.

My day began with a 3am wake-up call. It was a beautiful, cool night as I soon found myself walking to catch a 430am bus so I could get the MD Anderson by 630am. As I walked the last few blocks to the hospital I encounter a cute little bunny rabbit dashing among some nearby bushes, and could not resist asking "What's up, doc?"

I have what is called an intraocular mass in the eye, a medium malignant melanoma, a typical lesion of its type. The ophthalmology dept. folks (several very nice ladies whom I chatted with while I was at the hospital, were helpful, and friendly.) gave me a Fluorescein Angiogram which involved sticking a needle in my arm and sending a colored fluid to my eyes so photos could be taken ( See video -http://tinyurl.com/ar9spuq ). Since my veins would not co-operate I had to go to another floor, and get an IV, and then return so they could insert the fluid.

The IV tech was an Asian man named Dean Martin, and of course I asked if the rest of the rat pack worked there, too! I also noticed a Dr. Howard and wondered if there might be a Dr. Mo and Dr. Fine around as well.

The doctor who then examined me and gave me an ultrasound was very friendly and knowledgeable, helping me to grasp the diagnosis he gave me and related information.

He agreed with the previous diagnosis and said I had 2 options:

1. Removal of the eye. (At Ben Taub)

or

2.  Brachytherapy, the plaque insertion/internal radiation procedure (http://tinyurl.com/6uc2faf) I blogged about the other day. (At MD Anderson)

He said option 2 was a good option for my particular condition. It's a 3 - 7 day insertion and removal procedure that could either be outpatient or inpatient as may be determined at the time of performing the procedure...

He said that I needed to be aware of several things in the aftermath:

1. Possible post-op double vision for a period of time.

2. Possible mild short term vision decline.

3. Possible long term vision decline that could lead to loss of the eye sometime down the road.

The sooner things are taken care of to set the show in motion the better as it takes 2-3 weeks to order the plaque and I need CT Scans (chest, abdomen, and pelvis) and MRI's of my brain and the orbit of the eye.

So what's next? I learned more about that today during a few phone calls.

Now that it's March (My 6 mo. in TX = 3/20) I can submit my application for financial assistance to MD Anderson for review and approval or decline (They are able to use the one I had filled out a month ago).

This is important because, where treatment at MD Anderson is concerned; Harris County only covers outpatient procedures, not inpatient procedures).

That, my friends, is where things stand 4 days before my 53rd birthday (and Nikita's 15th!) on Tuesday.

****UPDATE - March 5****

I will be taking a blood test, cat scans and MRI, Wednesday and Thursday, at Ben Taub!

http://www.madmacedonian.com/2013/03/turning-new-pages-in-my-life-as-i-celebrate-birthday-53.html

****END UPDATE****

Comments

[SocciWriter]

Oh my goodness. This was beautifully written. You have a very special way of incorporating your sense of humor into the most stressful of situations. And that, my friend, is why you are still standing. God bless you in all you do.

[Samantha, Clementine & Maverick]

Oh Kiril!! Lots of purrs and prayers for you!! I just love your spunk and how you can make the best of what comes your way!! I know God has lots of plans for you!! I'll keep my prayers going and pray for good results!
Hugs,
Chandar

['Kaika's mom]

Holding good thoughts for a complete healing, Kiril. I truly admire your sense of humor in all this.

Blessings,

'Kaika's mom

[Hannah and Lucy]

We are sending many, many purrs your way and purrayers too of course. We hope you get the best outcome.
Luv Hannah and Lucy xx xx

[jansfunnyfarm]

Kiril, you do explain well. Hope everything goes smoothly and quickly so your treatment can begin. You know the Funny Farmers and I are cheering for a positive outcome.

Jan

[Lee County Clowder]

Our Dad has tried to comment a couple times, and every thing he posts disappears. SO we said we'd try and see what happened.

Purrrss for you Kiril. We hope things work out for you down Texas way.

[Mog]

Prayers for a successful outcome. Option 2 sounds good. Make sure your covered before getting the CT scans and MRI's as they are expensive. I would think of these things.

[caren gittleman]

you have an amazing attitude and that is going to help you through everything! Happy Early Birthday!