CucumberMonkeyKnuckles

Results

2011-03-10T07:16:00.000-08:00

Good news.

There was no cancer found in this last biopsy.

He was able to confirm that my stage was 1A1.

The doctor recommended that I have a simple hysterectomy for good measure, but I wouldn't have to do that until I am sure that kids are not in the picture.

I will have go in for a check up every three months. The first two times here in Hawaii, and then after that the doctor on Yokota can do it.

I have to stay one more week and go in for one last check up, and then I am free to go home.

I want to thank everyone for the well wishes, prayers, fasting, and good vibes that you sent out into the universe. I know that they worked!

2011-03-07T08:39:00.000-08:00

The doctor said the surgery went well. I also had a PET scan that morning so he will take that information and put it together with the biopsy here and from the one from Japan to get a clear picture of what is going on. I hope it is good news and what I had done last week will be all I need. I will find out on Wednesday.

Susan left last night. It was hard to see her go. Her flight was cancelled and I thought "great! one more night!" but they rebooked her onto a later flight. I had a blast with her.

My Dad arrived a few hours before Susan left, so it was a bit of a hail and farewell last night at the airport. It is so good to have my dad here. I am looking forward to hanging out with him.

Days go by...

2011-03-02T00:47:00.000-08:00

Well, I didn't mean for so many days to go by with no update.

My appointment on Friday brought some good news. The doctor has revisited my situation and feels that the radical hysterectomy may be overkill for what he thinks my stage is (1A1) so he is going to do a cold knife conization. If the margins are clear on this sample then that is all I will have to do. If not, I will have to do the radical hysterectomy. Pray for me!

Sandy and I hung out after she got out of work. We had dinner and then shopped for a bit.

Saturday Sandy and I had lunch and shopped some more. She made me buy some shoes so I returned the favor and made her buy some as well. Love you Sandy!

Mom and Susan got here on Saturday night and I feel we haven't stopped since.

So far we have went to the swap meet at the Aloha Stadium (awesome deals), went to the hospital once, NEX twice, went snorkeling, walked the beach walk twice, watched the surf from several vantage points, went to the Polynesian Cultural Center where we went to a luau and watched a great show called Ha: Breath of Life.
Amazing!

Tomorrow morning Scott gets into town. I have my pre-surgery appt. tomorrow as well. We are going to try to go to the Pearl Harbor Memorial after the hospital.

Hawaii

2011-02-24T22:31:00.000-08:00

Back in Hawaii

Still no stage - doctor cannot determine due to unclear margins on the sample that they have.
Doctor is thinking it is between stage 1A1 and 1B. He is recommending modified radical hysterectomy.
Surgery will be in a week and a half or so.
I have a appointment with him tomorrow.
I hope to have my surgery date and treatment plan tomorrow as well.

Fetch!

2011-02-20T06:44:00.000-08:00

Ready or Not, Here I Come

2011-02-20T05:57:00.000-08:00

Well, one more day and then I am off to Hawaii. Good thing too, sounds like Yuki is going thru her heat again... sorry Scott! He he he.

I am definitely looking forward to talking to my doctor and learning more about my situation. I am tired of being in the dark about so many details.

My appointment is at 11 on the 23rd. I am not what the rest of the week will bring. Maybe more tests, maybe more waiting.
According to my doctor here, the doctor in Hawaii told her that he is not going have any surgeries on his schedule until the first week of March, so I may be waiting a bit.

Sandy and I are going to hang out that night I get in. She is such a joy!

My appointment is at 11 on the 23rd. I am not what the rest of the week will bring. Maybe more tests, maybe more waiting.
According to my doctor here, the doctor in Hawaii told her that he is not going have any surgeries on his schedule until the first week of March, so I may be waiting a bit.

I pick up Mom and Susan on the 26th. What fun! I cannot wait to show Hawaii to them. I think I am more excited then they are.

New Info

2011-02-14T05:21:00.000-08:00

Things I found out today:

I will be leaving for Hawaii on the 22nd.

My first appointment with my oncologist is on the 23rd. (with the time difference, that won't give me much time to adjust to the time difference)

My CT scans looks good, it has not spread to other areas.

I may not have surgery until the first week of March.

******************************************************

I have an appointment on Friday to finalize the arrangements for the trip.

More to come soon.

CT Scan

2011-02-12T20:45:00.000-08:00

I had a CT scan of my chest, abdomen, and pelvis done on Tuesday (Feb 2).

The CT scan itself was a little daunting. I had an IV of contrast put in to highlight my blood vessels. I had to lay down on the bed as it moved thru the scanner. The thing that I was most afraid of was moving during the scan because the technician was so adamant that I don't. Overall, the whole experience wasn't so bad.

(This is the closest to the actual one I could find. They wouldn't allow me to take a picture)

I have yet to receive word on the results. The technician that performed the scan informed me that there is only one radiologist on base that can read the scans and it will be a 3 to 5 day wait on the results. I am going in tomorrow (Monday) to see if the scans have been reviewed.

Once all my paper work goes thru and I am approved for Tripler Army Medical Center, I will be off to Hawaii for treatment.

New Look shirt pattern 6838

2010-03-22T16:08:00.000-07:00

I took an old Star Wars shirt that I liked but was too bulky and masculine to wear, and two plain white t-shirts for the material of the pattern. I cut out the body of the pattern from the Star Wars shirt, and from the white t's I made the sleeves.
Enjoy!

Project 2010

2010-01-18T22:29:00.000-08:00

One of my favorite blogs to follow was created by a seamstress in New York. Her blog, Gertie's Blog for Better Sewing, is based on creating each of the projects in a vintage sewing book by Vogue. She of course lets us into her world a bit more outside her journey thru the project.

I have learned many techniques that she encounters with each garment.

Sooo... for the year 2010, I have decided to tip my hat to her and create a sewing goal for myself.
I have picked 11 patterns out for the year. I have some projects that I have in the works right now that I would like to finish up before I start this, so I won't start until February.

Before getting into this, there are somethings that need to put out there.
I am not a professional seamstress.
I was taught a bit by my mother in my youth and the rest (not much) was self taught.
I will make mistakes and do things the wrong (or long) way, so tips and suggestions are greatly appreciated.

So with no further ado...

Here my choices for the 11 patterns in no particular order.

What do you think of my choices? I am really excited for the harem pants. I am thinking of doing the longer one in a solid light weight linen or cotton for the spring. I believe this will be my first pattern to tackle.

2009-12-13T23:24:00.001-08:00

Countdown Clocks, Fun Countdowns at WishAFriend.com

Out on the town...

2009-12-13T18:57:00.000-08:00

When I was back in the states a couple of months ago, some of my sibs and their spouses went out on a DI date... Jealous???

Hawaiian Birthday

2009-08-30T18:15:00.000-07:00

Here is some of the highlights of my recent visit to Hawaii...

This and That

2009-02-14T23:40:00.000-08:00

Here are some of the views from Yokohama's Landmark Tower. It is the tallest building in Japan. These pics are taken on the 69th floor!!!

Here is Cinnamon on a shopping trip wearing her Yukata (summer kimono).

Here she is snuggling Scott's feet as she naps.

This picture was taken a day after Mt. Asama erupted. The ash blew as far a Tokyo, which is 140 kilometers to the southeast.

2008-11-25T01:01:00.000-08:00

This has got to be one of my favorite Robot Chicken Starwars skits.

Watch more Yahoo! Video videos on AOL Video

New Pics!!!

2008-11-19T20:53:00.001-08:00

FYI - Scott just added some pictures on his website.

She's crafty!

2008-11-18T23:55:00.000-08:00

It has been 4 days since I last added something. I had better get on this before Shar gets bored! :P

I have been on a decorating kick lately and have put my matting skills to work. I matted and framed a poster from one of our favorite spots in Colorado, Shuga's (Susan, you may remember the coconut shrimp soup) and a postcard I got from Matsumoto. I am also attempting to sew a dress for our work Christmas party. We will see how that goes.

Other than that, work is fine. The end of the campaign is near, but that does not mean that my job gets any less busy. The awards and recognition for all the volunteers are next. That means a lot of traveling and paperwork, not to mention having all the plaques engraved and the awards printed. I get tired just thinking about it. But, the volunteers worked so hard (well, most of them) that they deserve so much more. Well, enough about all that.

I am so glad that Chip, Lindsey, David, and Shar are in their new houses. They look great! I need to take some pics of the "after" of my apt. I took some "before" shots before we received our furniture and intended on taking some later when we were situated, and never got around to it.

Kitty walker for hire

2008-11-14T06:43:00.000-08:00

Cinnamon looooves her walks. She will sit by the door and wait for one of us to take pity on her and take her out.

Schmoozing

2008-11-14T06:23:00.000-08:00

Here I am at Camp Zama for a mid-campaign event. Who knew that I would be rubbing elbows with generals one day?

Matsumoto

2008-11-14T06:08:00.000-08:00

We recently explored the town of Matsumoto... the sister city of Salt Lake City.

Robots!!!

2008-07-02T14:10:00.000-07:00

Scott and I happened across this poor street performer in Tokyo. We gave him 100 yen. I hope it was enough to feed his family...and that he doesn't blow it all on sake.

Countdown: 18 days....

2008-06-25T22:11:00.000-07:00

I am getting so excited about my trip. I will be posting my calendar of events soon. It will let everyone know where I will be and when. Hopefully this will help you out when meeting up with me.

In the beginning...

2008-06-17T16:15:00.000-07:00

Here it is folks. I finally got this started. It has been a long time coming