Friday, August 10th

Had the PET scan today at the Huntsman Cancer Hospital. (I didn't know such an entity even existed.)

It's a beautiful building tucked into the northeast corner of the Salt Lake City mountains--up above the U of U Hospital and Primary Children's Medical Center. I had to turn around only four times while getting there though because all of the signs are confusing.

This was either the 9th or 10th PET scan I've had in the past four years. I think I need some new hobbies!

Nothing too much to note, except I like PET scans there instead of at American Fork Hospital. AF has a traveling semi trailer that houses their PET scans and the trailer is always too hot or too cold, depending on the season. And Huntsman doesn't do oral or IV contrast for suspected lymphoma, while AF does both. I can deal with less contrast in my life.

Only downside is that AF knows me so well that they'll show me the pictures so I have a good idea of what areas lit up (show active cancer) during the scan. No such luck with Huntsman. Just a "Your doctor will have the results by this evening and you'll hear from them probably within 48 hours."

Now the waiting begins. Oh, how I hate the waiting. I wonder how much time total I've spent in my life waiting for the results from various tests to see 1) if I have cancer, 2) where it's at THIS time, and 3) what treatement we're going to try next.

I left work a little early and visited Dr. Wendy's office, just to see if I could get answers today instead of Monday. I think I gave Dr. Wendy the wrong impression during my last visit. She told me the results of the CT were back on Friday and she almost called me, but she thought I deserved to have a good weekend without knowing that the scan showed a lump at the top of my right leg. (Like I didn't know that and hadn't felt it myself for about the last six weeks.)

Alas, Huntsman won't have the results finalized until Monday. So the waiting continues all through the weekend. Drat!

Here We Go (Again!)

So the insurance company gave authorization for the PET scan, and it's now scheduled at 7:30 a.m. on Friday morning at the Huntsman Cancer Hospital in Salt Lake City.

Here we go again!

And I had a Priesthood blessing on Sunday that promised that the treatments this time "would exceed all expectations." Cool, my five-year plan just expanded into at least a seven-year plan :-)

I Figured It Out

I now know the problem of the recurring Hodgkins nightmare. And I have the solution!

There simply is not enough purple, specifically violet, in my life.

Naturally I asked Dale if we could paint our house purple. Why not surround myself with the color? It would be a type of an exterior shield against my body's internal, continuing struggle.

With just a moment's hesitation, my beloved husband suggested that we paint the front door instead :-)

Ward Email Message

Cindy sent the following email to all of the women in our ward, inviting them to join in the fast:

From: Cindy Davis
Date: Tue, Jul 31, 2012 at 7:53 PM
Subject: Trisha Howard
To: Nicole Crawley
Cc: Barry Cloward

Dear Sisters,
Trisha Howard came to my home today and asked for us to remember her in our prayers and in our fast this Sunday. She was told today that her cancer is likely back. They will be doing some tests next week to verify. She said, however, that she believes that faith can move mountains. I agree. I personally, am going to ask that this cup be removed from her, but ultimately that she will have strength as she navigates through whatever is the Lord's will. She said that is what she is going to ask for as well.

I love you sisters. I love Trish. We need to pray for each other more. As we do, I testify...even through email...that we will find an added measure of peace and strength in our own lives and trials.

Cindy