My neck is definitely sore now. The surgery went fine. I arrived at the center as scheduled and filled out the paperwork, then began the long wait to be called. About an hour later they called me and took me back to the pre-op area to get ready. I put on a gown and was given several shots of anesthesia to the neck. Ten minutes later I was taken to the operating room. I layed on my back with my head turned to the left, exposing the right side of my neck. The doctor came in and it began. I didn't feel anything except some pressure and the sensation of my hair being pulled on the right side. Not sure how long it took, but it went quick enough and the doctor was done and I was sewn up. I got to see the lymph node they removed. It was interesting. I was taken to the post-op area, given instructions, and sent on my way. I got home around 12:30pm. I laid my head down and napped. I get the sutures removed next week Friday. I should have the results sometime next week also.

I wanted to sleep in this morning, but to no avail. I'm up and moving around. Going to read a little before I get ready and head over to the surgery center. My appointment is at 10:30am with arrival at 10:00am. There are no restrictions so I can have breakfast. I will post more later today about the procedure. Had a nice relaxing evening last night, went out for pizza, then watched a movie. I was home and asleep by 10:00pm. Today's number is 10!

It's been an uneventful day. It's nice to have days like this at times. I've just been reading and watching TV. One more day of work this week, then the biopsy. I plan on doing nothing but lounging all weekend. Life is good!

I received my documents today for the Disney Cruise!!! I can't believe I'm going to be going in two weeks!!! I already have my clothes picked out and some stuff packed for the trip. Work is keeping me busy, it's nice to walk in the doors and have something to do. I'm reading this good book, "The Book of Lost Things" by John Connolly. It's about a boy who loses his mother and the books she read begin to talk to him. I have settled down myself, not dwelling on the biopsy, it is what it is, and fretting over it doesn't change things. The biopsy should give me definite answers.

It's been a tough day for me. Hard to explain why, but it has. I've been dwelling on the biopsy and it has me agitated. The surgery itself, and the test results don't upset me. It's what I may be losing that has me off balance. I have been feeling so good, planned things to do, feel like I am finally getting my life back. I've been through so much, I just wanted to have time to enjoy all the good things in my life. I will face whatever comes my way, but I will lament should I have to stop what I have been doing.

Another day, another ANTM marathon on MTV. I met up with Julie earlier at Starbucks, had lunch at Beans and Barleys. I enjoyed getting together and just shooting the breeze, catching up with each other. I really don't like cold weather, so I plan on hibernating tomorrow. Plus I think there's another ANTM marathon showing.

I did venture to the stores today. Don't know what I was thinking. They were crowded, frantic, noisy. I didn't buy anything until I got to the bookstore. The atmosphere was much more subdued. Been watching the ANTM marathon on MTV, lasts until 11:00pm. Hopefully I will last that long. I'm baking some cookies to snack on too. Tomorrow is wide open, no plans, but I'll find something to do. Oh yeah, the biopsy is scheduled for next Friday, November 30th. I can't wait for that.

Happy Thanksgiving! I've had my bountiful meal, played some slots, and a game of scrabble. Now it's time to nap, because I can. Later I'm going to watch TV and read. Contemplating whether I should venture to the stores tomorrow, but will determine that in the morning. I am also thinking about getting the tree up from the storage area and start some decorating. I have the whole weekend to motivate myself.

After much thought throughout the evening, a few internal struggles, I am going to have the biopsy done to find out one way or the other. I don't like not knowing. I discussed with the ear, nose, and throat specialist the procedure and feel it is the appropriate course to take. Since the scans and blood work are inconclusive, the biopsy will answer the one remaining question. It will be done as out-patient surgery, take about 15 minutes, and a few stitches.

Once again I didn't get to hear the word I was hoping for. The same areas in my abdomen and chest showed up on the scans. The doctor wants to perform a lymph biopsy to determine what is going on. All my blood work came back normal and I have no symptoms of the cancer. I am disturbed by the news and discouraged, especially since I feel so good. I am not sure what I am going to do, I need to think about things and make an educated decision. I don't want to go through any unnecessary procedures or treatments. I just wanted to hear one simple word.

The day went fast, I was surprised by that. The weather is deceiving, damp yet warm, still overcast. Tomorrow I find out the results of the scans. I'm eager, nervous. Despite the fact that I'm feeling great and have had no issues, there's still doubt. Not enough though to alter my mood or well-being. I had dinner with Mom, Dad, and Michael tonight. It's always nice to sit around the dinner table and catch up with each other.

Didn't go bumming last night because it was cold and rainy. Going to go today instead. There's some things I want to get, so I'm going to do some running today. Still feeling great so I'm anticipating a good report from the oncologist on Tuesday.

What a gray dreary day it's been. I was out the door early, helped Char with the liquidation sale at her store. She has to be out of the space by the end of the month. Everything is $1.00 no matter what and there were pushy people who wanted to barter. Michelle stopped in with Kaiyah (whom I named by the way). She's so adorable. I held her, fed her, and she laughed and giggled and beeped. Came home and napped, going to go bumming later with Doug. Now I'm off to lounge on the couch for a while.

It's finally the weekend. I want to hibernate, wrapped in a blanket. I'm sure I'll have moments to do other things like grocery shop and laundry, but tonight I don't plan on doing anything.

I made it through the scans. Actually fell asleep briefly while moving through the machine during the Pet scan. The radioactive material upset my stomach and I had gastro-intestinal issues all afternoon. The effects are wearing off finally. My friend Doug and I are going on the Disney Wonder in December, got a deal we couldn't pass up. Looking forward to the trip. We get to hang out with Mickey on Castaway Cay.

All my levels are good, counts normal. Tomorrow I have the scans, so the fasting begins about 8:30pm tonight for 12 hours. Only water for me until after the test. Have been snacking all night in preparation. Going to watch ANTM and Project Runway tonight, two of my favorite shows.

Here I am playing onboard the ship, Disney Wonder. It was definitely a wonder. I had a great time. Going to be a busy week for me now, have the Pet and CT scans on Thursday morning and the doctor's appointment the following Tuesday. With all the excitement I've had this past weekend, my energy level is up and I'm feeling better than ever. Put out good thoughts to the cosmos for clear scans, that is what I want most of all.

I am back. The trip was incredible. I completely enjoyed the cruise. The Disney Wonder is awesome. The weather was beautiful, there was so much to do onboard the ship. I would go again. My suitcase is still packed, I really should start to unpack it. The whole experience was relaxing and restful. I had a great time. I want to go back!

I'm all set for my journey. Suitcase packed, got my puzzle book and my reading book, and snacks. Completely excited about the trip. Might get to Downtown Disney and maybe even one of the parks while I'm in Orlando. Next week I will have the Pet and CT scans done and a follow up with the oncologist after that. Things have been going well, I've been feeling great. I will not have any posts until I return late on Sunday the 11th. Everyone have a nice week.

It was a busy day at work, trying to clear my desk before I leave for Orlando on Wednesday. I remembered I can eat green leafy vegetables again, so I had to have a Big Mac at lunch. For those who don't know, Mondays are all about the Big Mac. It was decadent; delicious. I have most of my clothes picked out for the trip, tomorrow I will actually pack though.

I slept through the time change and slept until 9:00am. A good ten hours of sleep. I decided to do some laundry and ended up watching VH1-Classic channel all morning. My newest guilty pleasure is "We are the 80's." Nothing but music videos from the 1980s. I can not tell you how much I loved watching them. I'm going to do laundry now. It's been a nice relaxing weekend.

It's Saturday. I slept in, lounged about, showered, got dressed, then headed out for a couple of hours. I got my haircut, then went with Kim to Starbucks for coffee and conversation. Stopped at Noodles for some food then came home. Just a nice relaxing day.

One small step in the right direction. One large step towards getting better. I do not have to take Coumadin any longer. After nine months, the doctor has finally determined enough time has passed, no new clots have been detected, and no complications have occurred. The only thing that remains now is the one word I want to hear to complete my recovery. Remission. I will have scans done in the next few weeks. Hopefully there will be no questionable areas and the scans will be clean. This has been one long process for me. I have been feeling great, so optimism and good thoughts abound.

Wow this year has gone by too fast. I can not believe it is November already. I am taking a break tonight, I didn't bring any work home. I ran downtown after work and got certified copies of my birth certificate so I can go on the cruise and apply for a passport. I want to go to Disneyland Paris in the future. Tonight though, it's all about watching TV and lounging.