Sunday, September 19, 2010
PET / CT scans Approved
Well small victory won anyway. My chemotherapy oncologists Dr. S was amazed that scans were denied, lol never saw the small man so animated as he was at the last appointment. He told them that now my TSH levels were highly elevated and that my T4 should have been low, but was high, and now there are questions of pituitary gland involvement as well as thyroid (because last CT noted a spot on thyroid at that time) and he wanted the PET scan ASAP. Last scans had pointed out a total of 5 areas in question, that there was no way to tell if this was tissue damage from radiation treatments, or recurrent cancer. I am now scheduled for Tuesday, so in a few short days, unless there is another unforeseen fiasco at the time of procedure like last week, I should get some peace of mind that can only come with further information. Here's Hoping for Clean PET / CT Scans on Tuesday:) Latest problems really could possibly be combination of radiation necrosis and thyroid problems, both of which are very treatable and correctable, and it would be really nice to find out if the damn radio tracers light up or not at these areas under debate.
Friday, September 17, 2010
Wednesday, September 15, 2010
Coping in Tough Times
We all have our own personal crosses to bear the important thing is the grace with which we carry the load:) Yesterday mine was getting almost too heavy to hold on to, and my feet were faltering threatening to trip me, (translation: I was getting snippy and irritated, frustrated with everything, basically feeling completely negative thoughts) and when I thought I had reached a point where I knew I would not be able to take even one more step without dropping and breaking my cross (translation: dealing with health concerns, and finances, doctors and insurance companies) I paused for a moment (Translation: crying my eyes out begging the Lord to lighten my load, to give me the strength I needed to make it through these difficult times). Today I feel like I ate my wheaties lol and I know I can continue on steadily and with grace yet again for at least a while more:)
Saturday, September 11, 2010
Latest Updates
It is pretty late, the tail end of a sad and somber day, actually just a little after midnight of 9/11, beginning 9/12.
As quick as I can will update on how those scans went that I was supposed to do last week. You may remember I was supposed to have a full body PET and neck and chest CT on the 9th. Well that day was an absolute scheduling and insurance company fiasco. So after waiting since June with recommendations and request for a new PET from 3 different doctors because last CT was inconclusive they said could not determine if the 5 spots they noted were recurrent disease or radiation damage w/o PET. Mind you this was all the way back to April and now here we are September, and still have not accomplished getting the PET accomplished because when I got there for the appts the only one that went smoothly was the lab work/bloodtest. There was supposed to be a CT neck and chest and a full body PET, somehow they had these scheduled as all separate. Ct neck at 10, PET at 11 over in another building, then back to first building for neck and chest. Which was crazy, the PET/CT can be done at the same time same machine, you guys know what I mean. When we arrived I tried to tell them that hey, why aren't these all together, why 2 different places to go, why run contrast 3 times? Oh well we're ready for you now, lets get you in for the neck scan, and while that's being done they were going to call over the other building, set up the chest ct to be done with the PET. Well while I got the Neck CT done, they made their calls, and the insurance company, most likely because of this crazy 3 procedures in 1 day that could have been combined into one, denied my PET scan, and the chest CT. Very disappointing. Having been on edge waiting for the answer cancer or damage, this just stunk. Now I am supposed to go up again next week see my chemo and rad docs, and their going to try to figure out why the PET was denied, and get it scheduled next week. Now here's the dumb part, I already got a call and the chest CT is scheduled for the 16th, same day I see the docs, now if the docs are trying to push for a PET, here we go again insurance company is going to be looking at basically another double request so to speak. I just hope we can resolve this next week and just get the PET done. One Dr. was telling us we should just sign a waiver and get the PET done, like no problem $6,000 dollars, yes lets do that today. Sigh. Well, gee I guess I vented here pretty good lol.
As quick as I can will update on how those scans went that I was supposed to do last week. You may remember I was supposed to have a full body PET and neck and chest CT on the 9th. Well that day was an absolute scheduling and insurance company fiasco. So after waiting since June with recommendations and request for a new PET from 3 different doctors because last CT was inconclusive they said could not determine if the 5 spots they noted were recurrent disease or radiation damage w/o PET. Mind you this was all the way back to April and now here we are September, and still have not accomplished getting the PET accomplished because when I got there for the appts the only one that went smoothly was the lab work/bloodtest. There was supposed to be a CT neck and chest and a full body PET, somehow they had these scheduled as all separate. Ct neck at 10, PET at 11 over in another building, then back to first building for neck and chest. Which was crazy, the PET/CT can be done at the same time same machine, you guys know what I mean. When we arrived I tried to tell them that hey, why aren't these all together, why 2 different places to go, why run contrast 3 times? Oh well we're ready for you now, lets get you in for the neck scan, and while that's being done they were going to call over the other building, set up the chest ct to be done with the PET. Well while I got the Neck CT done, they made their calls, and the insurance company, most likely because of this crazy 3 procedures in 1 day that could have been combined into one, denied my PET scan, and the chest CT. Very disappointing. Having been on edge waiting for the answer cancer or damage, this just stunk. Now I am supposed to go up again next week see my chemo and rad docs, and their going to try to figure out why the PET was denied, and get it scheduled next week. Now here's the dumb part, I already got a call and the chest CT is scheduled for the 16th, same day I see the docs, now if the docs are trying to push for a PET, here we go again insurance company is going to be looking at basically another double request so to speak. I just hope we can resolve this next week and just get the PET done. One Dr. was telling us we should just sign a waiver and get the PET done, like no problem $6,000 dollars, yes lets do that today. Sigh. Well, gee I guess I vented here pretty good lol.
Tuesday, September 7, 2010
Looking For A Zitan Wood Expert
Hey everybody, just a quick post here, because quite frankly really stressing over the scans I have waited so long for and coming up with the next mortgage and car payment, ggrrrr I hate money, I dislike being sick, I dislike the economic downturn whew!!! Okay, I feel better saying it.
Anyway so I am trying to raise money, who isn't I know? I have always had an eye out for "special" stuff and I do have a number of very nice items from travels and auctions over the years.
Most are one of a kind antique items that I would need Antique Roadshow ticket to ever figure out value. I have tried repeatedly to get picked in the random roadshow tickets drawing, but, sigh, have not been chosen yet. I still dream about it though, I know exactly what two pieces I would bring:)
All along I have known God will provide, he always meets our needs. It is entirely possible that one of these old paintings, sculptures or works of art could be valuable enough to pay off my mortgage. Wouldn't that be wonderful? Oh just thinking about it eases my headache momentarily.
What I am going to try to do here on my blog occasionally is post a piece and try to find an expert honest antique and/or fine arts appraiser to help assess fair value, like the road show guys do. LOL only I am hoping to find someone willing to do so out of the pure goodness of his/her heart or even an honest interest to purchase at a fair price would be great. I read somewhere that Jackie Chan has like one of the largest privately owned, not in a museum, Zitan wood carving and furniture collections.
Todays item which I would definitely consider as an antique based on some of the aging apparent on the wood is a carving of elephants crossing a bridge. The Bridge of hope you say? There are many cheap 5 elephant imitations out there as I have found, but trust me nothing like this one.
The wood is very smooth, dark, almost purplish to black in some areas. I believe the wood to be Zitan which from the little I have learned is quite rare. The piece is VERY heavy, weighing 11 lbs, and while I have not put it in water I am quite sure it will sink like a rock.
The eyes, toenails and tusks are all inlaid with what I believe and hope to be bone or ivory. A heated needle point did not sink into a test spot.
While the Bridge of Hope in my research seems to be more related to Africa, this piece is clearly from Sri Lanka. How do I know that? Because in crude lettering in more inlay it says Sri Lanka.
Also this zitan wood hand carved statue has nine elephants crossing the bridge, and for some reason all the others I have been able to find only have only five.
Here are a few pictures:
Anyway so I am trying to raise money, who isn't I know? I have always had an eye out for "special" stuff and I do have a number of very nice items from travels and auctions over the years.
Most are one of a kind antique items that I would need Antique Roadshow ticket to ever figure out value. I have tried repeatedly to get picked in the random roadshow tickets drawing, but, sigh, have not been chosen yet. I still dream about it though, I know exactly what two pieces I would bring:)
All along I have known God will provide, he always meets our needs. It is entirely possible that one of these old paintings, sculptures or works of art could be valuable enough to pay off my mortgage. Wouldn't that be wonderful? Oh just thinking about it eases my headache momentarily.
What I am going to try to do here on my blog occasionally is post a piece and try to find an expert honest antique and/or fine arts appraiser to help assess fair value, like the road show guys do. LOL only I am hoping to find someone willing to do so out of the pure goodness of his/her heart or even an honest interest to purchase at a fair price would be great. I read somewhere that Jackie Chan has like one of the largest privately owned, not in a museum, Zitan wood carving and furniture collections.
Todays item which I would definitely consider as an antique based on some of the aging apparent on the wood is a carving of elephants crossing a bridge. The Bridge of hope you say? There are many cheap 5 elephant imitations out there as I have found, but trust me nothing like this one.
The wood is very smooth, dark, almost purplish to black in some areas. I believe the wood to be Zitan which from the little I have learned is quite rare. The piece is VERY heavy, weighing 11 lbs, and while I have not put it in water I am quite sure it will sink like a rock.
The eyes, toenails and tusks are all inlaid with what I believe and hope to be bone or ivory. A heated needle point did not sink into a test spot.
While the Bridge of Hope in my research seems to be more related to Africa, this piece is clearly from Sri Lanka. How do I know that? Because in crude lettering in more inlay it says Sri Lanka.
Also this zitan wood hand carved statue has nine elephants crossing the bridge, and for some reason all the others I have been able to find only have only five.
Here are a few pictures:
it is approximately 26 inches long and 11 inches high
it weighs approx. 11 lbs.
If there are any antique, or Zitan wood expert out there who would be able to offer any assistance at all in determining value or appraisal of this piece your help would be sooooooooooooo greatly appreciated.
Friday, September 3, 2010
Orders for Herbal Tea Beginning to Pick Up
Hurray, while I cannot say there has been a veritable landslide in orders for my herbal tea remedies / dietary supplements from Mother Nature to You Herbal Green Teas I am Very happy to say that orders none the less are coming in. Thank You Lord.
We have recieved orders from Connecticut, Illinois, Pennsylvania, N. Carolina, S. Carolina, as well as many points in Georgia.
To my new customers I say "Thank You all for your patronage and enjoy your herbal tea selections in Confidence and good health"
I am off to bring in more prime lemon balm and stevia for drying.
oh and p.s.
For those interested in the persimmon leaf teas to boost weight loss programs? Check out Mother Nature's newest edition Lemon Splash Pure Slimming Persimmon leaf herbal green tea:)
All right I am off, peace out all.
We have recieved orders from Connecticut, Illinois, Pennsylvania, N. Carolina, S. Carolina, as well as many points in Georgia.
To my new customers I say "Thank You all for your patronage and enjoy your herbal tea selections in Confidence and good health"
I am off to bring in more prime lemon balm and stevia for drying.
oh and p.s.
For those interested in the persimmon leaf teas to boost weight loss programs? Check out Mother Nature's newest edition Lemon Splash Pure Slimming Persimmon leaf herbal green tea:)
All right I am off, peace out all.
Thursday, September 2, 2010
Ooops I did it again
I know I am always letting the days slip away from me without getting any updates here, bad me bad me:)
Anyone else watch Housewives of New Jersey? It became a dirty little pleasure while I was going through my cancer treatments, and the seemingly never ending process of recouperation, I was watching more Television then. I still like the New Jersey Housewives though, haven't been able to find the New York Housewives, and I do not care for the D.C., not a big tv watcher really, but I just happened to get hooked on the New Jersey Housewives women. Teresa is my freagin' favorite, lol did you see her shove the host out of the way like he was a fly, lol. Her and Danielle make the whole show. Wish I could tell them to try my teas, I bet they go to all kinds of fancy restaurants. I tell my husband when they're on that my "friends" are coming over lol.
OK
What else have I been up to? Well bringing in a lot of stevia over the past week, and mint the week before that, and soon will be gathering a second nice cut off the lemon balm:) Always doing something around here. That's ok, I would rather stay busy anyway, less time for thought. Come on September 9th lol, can't wait till it gets here and gone.
Well, I am bouncing quickly, trying to update in a few places in a few minutes, but I promise not to stay away so long next time:)
Anyone else watch Housewives of New Jersey? It became a dirty little pleasure while I was going through my cancer treatments, and the seemingly never ending process of recouperation, I was watching more Television then. I still like the New Jersey Housewives though, haven't been able to find the New York Housewives, and I do not care for the D.C., not a big tv watcher really, but I just happened to get hooked on the New Jersey Housewives women. Teresa is my freagin' favorite, lol did you see her shove the host out of the way like he was a fly, lol. Her and Danielle make the whole show. Wish I could tell them to try my teas, I bet they go to all kinds of fancy restaurants. I tell my husband when they're on that my "friends" are coming over lol.
OK
What else have I been up to? Well bringing in a lot of stevia over the past week, and mint the week before that, and soon will be gathering a second nice cut off the lemon balm:) Always doing something around here. That's ok, I would rather stay busy anyway, less time for thought. Come on September 9th lol, can't wait till it gets here and gone.
Well, I am bouncing quickly, trying to update in a few places in a few minutes, but I promise not to stay away so long next time:)
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