Wo not feeling so great today

Lauren's Radiology Oncologist, Dr. Feng called this morning and I had to wake Lauren up to talk to her. Dr. Zalupski had told Dr. Feng that Lauren had a pain in her chest and Dr. Feng was calling to see how she was doing. Dr. Feng said she looked at Lauren's last MRI and saw one of her small tumors that was being targeted is high in the liver near her diaphragm. She thinks the radiation going to this tumor is causing the pain. She also said Lauren was scheduled for an appt. to see her in six weeks, but she wants to see her sooner. So she was going to have the appt. changed and someone would call us. This is funny because when I called to set up this appt. the scheduler said she had no openings until six weeks from now. You know how it is when you speak with some people that schedule appointments. Geez! Later this morning, Dr. Zalupski called and he wanted Wo to have a blood test today. He wanted to see how her liver was functioning. He said if her tests weren't in the normal range he would cancel chemo for next week and wait a bit.  So he said he would call Mercy in Canton to order the test. Someone from Dr. Feng's office called and said she wanted to see Lauren sooner, so they scheduled her for June 12th. I tried telling them that when I called to schedule the first time, but they wouldn't listen. So happy things seem to work out somehow.

While all of this was going on, Lauren said she thought she was going to throw up. Not nerves or anything, sometimes she just feels sick. Nausea and vomiting are all side effects from her recent procedure. She ate some toast, took all her meds and still felt bad. I made her some scrambled eggs and she drank some ginger ale. Still felt bad. She tried chewing peppermint gum and felt a little better. She felt good enough to go to Mercy at around 2:00. Wow. That is the time to go. Usually, the place is packed, but not today at 2. We got right in and they took Lauren in a room. They had to stick her three times to find a good vein. Her veins just aren't cooperating much anymore. I was sitting in the waiting area and felt it was taking a really long time. So I got up and went to investigate. I guess one guy had tried unsuccessfully and a lady was now digging for a vein. Lauren just sat there like nothing. She is so brave. I went to sit back down and only a few moments later, she was done. We drove home and she is now resting on the couch. She said she is not going to bowling with Gio tonight. She just wants to stay home and try and feel better. I will let you know how the blood tests turn out.

I like to put pictures on this blog, so this one is of all of us last year in Myrtle Beach. This was before Lauren was diagnosed with cancer. She was in pain back then, but had no idea. We had the best time on that vacation. Can't wait to go back. We will probably have to settle for swimming in our backyard this year. We managed to get out there yesterday. Lauren put on a ton of sunscreen because chemo makes you burn easier. Lauren rarely burns. She gets a beautiful tan. The water is still super cold, but hopefully will be warmer after a few days of sun. Take care everyone, and I will post again in a few days.

Love, -Pam

Gio, Lauren, Ryan, Mark, and Pam in Myrtle Beach 2011