Brother Update

Had a couple of doctor's appointments with my brother recently and we got some not-fabulous news.

Steve had a PET scan in the last couple of weeks and we saw the oncologist on Friday to go over it. The results of the PET scan were mixed. The tumor in his lung originally started at 1.8 mm. When we saw Dr. J for the previous PET scan results, he told us it had shrunk to 1 mm and we were thrilled. On Friday he said the tumor measured 1.7 mm. As opposed to it shrinking and growing again, Dr. J explained that it had probably never shrunk as much as they had initially thought. Apparently the PET scan is only accurate to within a centimeter or so, so this tumor is really too small for them to measure accurately with the PET. He also explained the reason for the apparent shrinkage from last time. Basically he likened it to comparing slices of a tennis ball. If you take a slice from the middle and compare it to a slice from the very top, they're not going to appear to be the same size, even though the tennis ball hasn't changed size.

So, all that said, Steve has completed 6 months of chemo with not a lot of response and Dr. J's next step is to have the tumor removed surgically, which was always the plan. While I'm left feeling sort of like the chemo has been a waste of time, Dr. J reminded us that the chemo most likely has eradicated any other hot spots that might have been undetectable.

We met with the surgeon yesterday. Dr. M seems very nice and competent and has scheduled Steve for a CT scan for next Monday to get a better idea of size and placement of the tumor. It will also help to detect if there are any other nodules inside the lung that will need to be removed. We were hoping they could do a video-assisted thorascopic surgery, but due to his weight, the surgeon is doubtful that will be possible. That means instead a surgery requiring a large incision under his right armpit. Also, depending on the results of the CT scan, which will show them where exactly the tumor is located, it might be necessary to do a more major surgery than just a biopsy of the tumor or removing only the wedge where it's located. If it's placed too far inside, as opposed to on the surface of the lung, it might actually be necessary to remove the entire lobe of the lung where it's located. Dr. M reassured us that most people who have a lobe removed fully recover and never even notice they're missing it. Recovery time should be anywhere from 3-6 weeks. (Interesting fact I did not know: your right lung has three lobes while the left lung only has two.)

Steve'll have the CT while I'm out on vacation and the follow-up with Dr. M and surgery will be scheduled for the next few weeks after I'm back. That's all the news for now, but please keep sending your good karma our way. ♥

From the Conversations with Mr. Fantastic Files

So, Mr. F DVRs Sky Sports News for all the footie updates. While it's mostly soccer news, they always have other stuff like cricket and darts. Tonight, he was fast forwarding through the boring stuff (read = not soccer) that he doesn't want to watch.

Mr. F: *fast forwards* Tennis...gay...horse racing...gay...
Me: Hey, isn't that the sport of kings?
Mr. F: Yeah...Gay kings.

Swimsuit acheived! And, VACATION!

Okay, vacation first - Mr. Fantastic and I finally got our trip planned. We're going to Puerto Vallarta from the 23rd to the 29th. YAY! I'm so excited for palm trees and ocean and beach and pina coladas. Mmm.

Speaking of the beach, I have found a swimsuit! Hallelujah!

And I actually like it, not just tolerate it as I have with so many swimsuits in the past. I gotta say, it's not half bad. Black on the bottom with an animal-print over the top. I got it at the lingerie store where I buy my special (read = honking expensive) 34H bras - Le Soutien. Suit wasn't too awfully expensive - only about $90, and I was prepared to pay $130. Got a wrap to go with that was on sale for $18, marked down from like $50. The best part is, it's sized like a bra and has adjustable straps and underwires, so it feels as good as wearing my regular bra. Lots of support and the back comes up pretty high so I don't have the back fat hanging out. I'm extremely pleased.

I can finally look forward to a vacation that requires a swimsuit instead of dreading it like usual. I'm totally psyched!

I've been caucused!

I have returned from being caucused.

What I like about the caucus is that instead of going in a little booth and casting your vote in private, you actually stand up to be counted. Literally. Once everyone's all signed in, you go to where your precinct is grouped and you stand with the others who support your candidate. Based on the number of people in my precint who showed up, we were allowed a total of ten delegates. Obama got 7 and Clinton got 3. Early reports are showing Obama is leading Colorado with 65%. \o/

Apparently the caucus took longer than they anticipated because I guess about four times as many people showed up this time compared to the last caucus 4 years ago. I think Democrats are going to show up in record numbers to vote this year.

It was really fun, educational, and inspirational to be part of the process and I'm glad I went. Looking forward to the Democratic National Convention, which comes to my hometown of Denver this year.

Super Tuesday

It's Super Tuesday - if you have the opportunity, you should participate, whoever you're supporting.

As for me, well I'm heading on down to my local caucus location to stand and be counted. For once in my life, I'm actually inspired by a candidate. Barack Obama.

Yes We Can and Portrait of Obama

More Open Letters

Dear Plague:
FINE. Since you insist on making yourself at home, why must you also give me this disgusting cough? I feel like a leper. NOT ON.

Dear Girl in the Cubicle Next Door:
Look, I really don't think it's just me. Your constant popping of bubble wrap is both annoying to all your fellow cube rats and also says something really disturbingly neurotic about you.

Dear People I'm STILL Trying to Work With:
Seriously. YOU'RE NOT SPECIAL. Okay? I don't care what your parents told you. You're never going to be President, you can't do anything you want and you're not a sweet and special snowflake who deserves every last iota of my attention and patience. I don't care how much you panic at me or how many e-mails you send me with that stupid little red exclamation point attached. I am doing the best I can for you and the 99 other morons who waited until the last minute.

Dear Tylenol Daytime Non-Drowsy Liquid Cold Medication (in CitrusBurst, sorry, Rodney):
Hoo boy, you're not my usual DayQuil. And while it's true, you have not made me drowsy, you have made me loopy, dizzy, and indifferent. I ain't sleepy but I sure shouldn't be operating heavy machinery. But thank you for the bonus of causing me to retreat to new levels of John Sheppard-esque laconic apathy when the People I'm STILL Trying to Work With get increasingly agitated at me. You've made my day much easier.