Putting on the War Paint

Well, a lot has (and a lot hasn’t) happened since I last wrote. We met with the oncologist (he comes highly recommended), and got a clearer picture of what’s going on.

The Accidental Update

So, i had my bone marrow biopsy on Monday. It was much ado about nothing, if you want my opinion. There were i.v.’s, fall risk bracelets, sedatives that didn’t work, impatient nurses – the whole shebang. All for the same procedure that a N.P. did in her office with my drawers down the last time I had it done.

Gifts Aren’t Always Wrapped in Pretty Paper

Today was a hard day. More on that later, like, in another post. It sucked, but in The Big Picture (henceforth referred to as “TBP”) I really don’t have too much to bitch about and, as always, I am grateful for that.

But, tonight. Oh, tonight – something truly incredible happened to me. (Actually, several pretty cool things happened, but one seems like an epiphany of sorts, so that’s what I’ll be focusing on here.)

Bone Marrow Biopsy and Aspiration—What to Expect

Well, the more I have thought about my upcoming procedure, the more it has bothered me. Never mind that my father (who loves me very much, but is still learning about filters when it comes to this stuff) also called and pointed out the obvious to me:  this is not the same procedure I underwent the last time I was diagnosed.

Getting Back to “Normal”

I got my stitches out from my biopsy yesterday. Eye looks good (for an eye with a tumor in it that’s been flayed open). I would like to throw a shout out to the doc that did the surgery, as he and his team were totally awesome.

The Weirdest Thing Just Happened to Me (Again)

I may not cross post this one to the Facebooks or Twitterz, but, since one of the things I am hoping will come out of this blog is a safe place for me to share as well as other people to come who are facing Myleoma (or other scary stuff), I will share a most bizarre thing that happened to me this morning.

Here We Go Again

I had my first oncologist appointment (round two style) yesterday. It went pretty much as I expected it would. While we know that the tumor in my eye tissue is a Plasmacytoma, there is no way of knowing yet if it is isolated or if my disease has progressed to Multiple Myeloma (that is, throughout my bone marrow or tumors elsewhere in my body). So, next up is a bone marrow biopsy

I Don’t Believe in Coincidences

Just a quick update, as it has been some time since my last post. My cancer is back. I am 39. I have Myeloma (maybe Multiple, not sure yet). Again. And, in spite of the fact that I stepped up when my country asked me to – and more than likely developed cancer as a result – my country is nowhere in sight when it comes to stepping up to help me deal with the personal and financial cost of my illness. Right now I have a tumor in the soft tissue in my eye. I will find out in the next few weeks if I have tumors elsewhere, and what course of treatment is best for me. In the meantime, my eye is deformed and the tumor continues to grow aggressively. I have limited sight out of my eye. I (and by “I”, I mean my father) just spent over $3,000 to have the tumor biopsied (and my eyelid flayed open). Oh, and I might die from this (but I’m getting used to dealing with that anxiety).

Not Surprising

It’s not surprising that, less than one week after the ten year anniversary of the 9/11 attacks, I can’t find one article printed in the last week regarding the health (and lack of health care) of 9/11 first responders.  There were a deluge of said articles a week ago.  Now, there are none.  Don’t worry, though, there are still plenty of us first responders living with – and dying from – various diseases we most likely developed due to our exposure to toxins in and around Ground Zero.

Have you seen any articles since the 11th regarding the link between serious illness and exposure of first responders???  If you have, please feel free to share them.

A Red Crosser Remembers Serving on 9/11/2001

My friend wrote this remembrance of her time and service immediately following the attacks on 9/11.  It is a very honest, and accurate accounting, and I am both grateful to her for her service, as well as her eloquence in her recounting it.

A Red Crosser Remembers Serving on 9/11/2001.