Call from doctor....

 Dermatology doctor called and said the biopsy came back positive for ductile carcinoma. It's been so long since my original surgery that he couldn't find my oncologist listed. He put an order through to oncology to make an appointment and get things started. Need to keep track of everything again.

 

I knew something was happening. I've been having that itchy spot in my back for about a year or more and that was happening before my original discovery as well.  The scar was pinging once in a while so knew something was going on.That side has never been imaged because.. everyone assumed nothing was there but the implant.

There isn't much left in there to cut out unless they take the entire breast and everything off if that's the case, take my other side too! If it can be treated with chemo I'm good with that. They'll likely want to do more imaging first. Oh and my left breast about where the bottom of my bra hits is achey today as well.. Echo of other side? I was cleared last mammography but who knows.

So another chapter and page turns. So much for doing anything productive and adventurous for the next few months that's for sure. I had a feeling that every time I thought, 'now that I have free time maybe we can start clearing out storage some more'. Cancer is no longer a life sentence but seeing as how this is a repeat, not sure what's going on. Oh and this puts a kink in my eye surgery as well.

So much and so many things have to be put on hold when something like this happens. I remembered that I had chronicled my original cancer journey on here 15 years ago and was able to look back and note down exact dates but no doctor names silly me. Everything was done at Sharp so all they have to do is go through my records. I also used to end my blog with quotes... need to start doing that again.

"The infinity of stars in the darkest night sky is there to remind us there is nothing that can keep the mind from dreaming and the heart from hoping."
Anonymous.

I looked back at my blog and my original discovery and diagnosis was July of 2010. Surgery was within months after the biopsy and MRI.

May be premature on the foot feeling better.

 It feels better but that doesn't mean it's healed (as some of you know). The x-rays were uploaded and this tech marked the break as being '3.8 mm' The original pictures were not earmarked as such but the break looked a bit smaller and another difference was the second set were taken while I was standing on the foot and the first ones while laying down. Not sure if that spread is from having pressure on the foot or not. I was a bad girl the last few days and was not even wearing an ace bandage. It's wrapped now because we went grocery shopping and it's hurting a bit. Oh yes and this is apparently called a 'Dancer's Fracture' which is hilarious because we kept joking about my Riverdance career being over. My regular doctor has not made contact with me and hoping someone decides to say something after they look at the images.

My favorite picture for today, such a double layered joke it's hilarious. I posted it in my role play Star Wars group and added, 'if you don't get the joke, look up Dolly the sheep'.

Other than that, groceries were all bought with a little to spare on the food card, we did get about $14 extra but it's a difference and we'll take it for as long as the assistance is available. Speaking of assistance quandary:

The progress of resistance is continuing and becoming more regular and in higher places. As those of us who have watched Star Wars and other similar movies and stories, results from resisting and pushing back are rarely quick and immediate. Especially when there are laws to follow and the very machine that creates the problem is there to make sure there is an order to doing things. It's torture not knowing what shoe is going to drop next, agonizing how incredibly stupid the current president is.  Here's my theory that is echoed by a few others.

He is a puppet, a dupe and the perfect target for the general public to focus on while the real mechanics and destroyers of our country stand behind the curtain pulling the strings. The architects and writers of Project 2025 is a playbook of them and the 'Heritage Society' is the organization that helped put it together. They needed to find the best possible front man that would do anything and everything they say if he got to be president. They've been working on it for eight years and now the checklist they have written is almost complete. They are the real menace and, unfortunately unlike in the movies, there is no obvious heroes to swoop in and save the day. There may be, we don't know because as we know, comic book and movie heroes rarely show themselves before the come in to save the day.

I'm not the only one with this thought train but they are slippery and in positions that have no way of corning them or impeaching or really pointing at. that's the point. Behind the curtain and away from public view. So mark my words.... 

Meanwhile, it's cloudy, rained last night (of course after I had watered the garden thoroughly). May well rain again today, certainly looks like it but we're done running around for the day and likely for the week. Until my appointment on Wednesday, according to the weather app, it may well be in the 80's later in the week. Go figure, spring in San Diego is all you have to know.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Going to have a bumper crop of tomatoes this year, hopefully some peppers as well. That's the Romaine, jalapenos, three Roma tomatoes and some green onions.  Not obvious is a squash seed I found while digging around in the corner near the rainbow spinner. It must have come from the other gardener (Dolores) compost she let me use. IF it's the kind of squash I think it is, it's a butternut type which is HUGE. It would need a trellis as big as the one the tomatoes are on so the lettuces won't be there forever, nor will the onions but the peppers will.

Cilantro, possible tomatillo seeds that sprouted in the left bed and the oregano going crazy with the onions and two garlic with barely visible bell peppers in the other bed. 

So that's what's been going on lately, Amber is having the boys take the bus, it's easier on me and they are old enough to manage that on their own. That will lower my insurance rates the next time the policy comes up for renewal. Here's hoping at least, everything else seems to be going up. SDGE bill currently says -55.96 due....there was a huge credit from some energy deal that happens twice a year so I paid the minimum payment I owed and that was it. So they'd better email or call me if they have a problem with that. 

Local yahoos are laughing and whooping over the west fence somewhere, Jon is doing dishes from the salmon and rice I fixed today. We had chicken breast and some hamburger left over from last month so we're slowly stockpiling food enough that we don't have to buy as much every time. YAY!

All done for today.

We did our duty and some groceries

Foot is feeling a lot better but I pushed the limits today. We stood along the same road but on the other side of the street for about a half hour or so. Not as many people this time because it's a week day but still had fun. One of the other 'resisters' older than both of us had a spare sign that was Healthcare Now/Healthcare for All. Not our personal message but it's all good. No pictures either because I felt silly pulling my phone out to get a 'selfie' moment. One of the organizers was walking up and down behind us with a slightly larger flag than we have and on her last pass before we left she said she counted about 2,225 people. Pretty respectable for middle of the week and I suspect there may have been half again more last time.

My feet are aching. We went to Costco after standing on the sidewalk, which in hindsight, was a mistake on my part. I was cranky and my feet were so sore. I've been off my feet for long durations almost six months and it's time to get back to walking when the doctor gives the okay. They haven't posted the x rays to my file yet so don't know how it looks.

First time I've seen Rocky actually relaxing in that window in a long time. I'm crocheting a 'blanket' that will be the same size as that tile area because he's resting on an unused hand towel. I put it in there in the winter because that tile gets really cold and in the summer it gets blasted so insulation is needed. 

Stitches are twinging and uncomfortable so had to take my bra off just now. They are bandaged but the pain twinge is the same as what I've been experiencing before. I don't think either of the doctors got the picture when I said I would get a brief stabbing pain in that area. Going in next Wednesday to have the stitches removed and they'll do a look see at it as well has have the results of the biopsy.

Such is life. I do not recommend getting old.

A first for me and Jon, because it was important.

 But before that, Jon's appointment went well, got to sit and chat with Amber for the duration of his appointment and catch up with her life.

Happy Easter, beautiful rose in bloom near the mailboxes in the complex. Fragrant purple variety I can't remember what it's called. Much healthier looking than the other bushes. Spent about a half hour or more standing in one spot yesterday for a good reason.

Local rally/day of protest across the country and all over the world. I'm standing oddly because I'm leaning on a crutch to take weight off my bad foot. We got a lot of enthusiastic honks and thumbs up but also a few annoying pests that yelled or flipped us off. One guy and his buddy in a pick up had a p/a system and was drying around and by the intersection yelling 'Trump 2028'. Sad really, they don't realize what is really happening because they're not paying attention to the real news. What is not seen is to the right of the photos is a lonnng stretch of that main road that is lined with people the entire block. I was too busy trying to balance and waving my little flag to get pictures. Jon got a video but he turned his phone sideways so, not very watchable. I'm hoping I can figure out video editing to lay it out correctly.

It was fun and interesting to see. Jon was just bursting with pride and felt great in his heart for what we did. We will be attending more for sure, hopefully will get a sign put together for beginning of May. Other than that, weather is sunny and warming, plants are popping with flowers my garden is doing well enough. 

Just realized a week and a half later I never posted this. Okay then! Update for me coming up!

My foot was x-rayed, easy peasy, then was very early for my dermatology appointment but went up to the office anyway (recap: regular doctor at last visit saw that the scar for my drain area on right breast was looking kind of odd so referred to dermatology for closer inspection). Got called in almost immediately and doctor came in within about ten minutes. Looked at the suspect area, took a swab to see if it was infected, then decided just to be extra sure did a biopsy right then and there (seriously ouch! Even though he gave a local anesthetic ) so because of the biopsy there were two stitches. They'll have the results in a week which is when the follow up to remove the sutures is. My foot is much better now but am still careful going up and down stairs and walking around for too long is a bit much. But that's also due to not being on my feet a lot for the past six months.  Foot I suspect will be completely healed in another week or so but then have to get strength back in legs and knees. 

We might be going to another rally/protest in same location that's happening tomorrow. Apparently it's a weekly thing in that location so will see what happens. We have a lot of shopping to do tomorrow and Saturday being the beginning of the month. 

So a little rock and rolling today

Around 10:15 this morning there was a distant rumble like a semi going way too fast then the building started to shake and then....really started to shake. 6.7 earthquake was the initial report on the quake alert, Jon showed it to me. Official reports are now all saying 5.2 but it felt stronger than that where we were. It was only 14 km deep (translates to almost 9  miles) which is very shallow and 4 km (about 8 miles) south of Julian. About 25 miles as the crow flies north east of us, so rather close in geological terms. Star is epicenter, heart in lower left corner is where we are. Green and blue bands are intensity levels from the USGS site.

  So I was about to get into the shower but Rocky was being a pill so I had him in my arms over by the front door when I heard the rumble and then the building started to shake. I am standing there, with a bum foot, a cat and in my nightshirt upstairs in an almost fifty year old building. Where was I going to go? No table to hide under, doorways are no guarantee of stability. The rattling continued for probably twenty seconds or more before Jon finally stood up getting worried. His first reaction was 'That was cool!' Spoken like a true Easterner. Rocky of course was going ballistic and only until the shaking stopped did I let go of him so he could go hide under the bed. 

Is it unusual to actually hear an earthquake coming? I guess it is if you live in the city and there's a lot of ambient sound drowning it out. I heard both rumbles just before the quake and aftershock hit because we're in a quiet, suburban area with very low ambient noise.

Well then. A picture was slightly askew on one wall from what I saw, didn't notice anything else out of place until I opened the dish cupboard and the hand crank cheap aluminum sifter fell out. I finally got my shower, Jon got something light to eat before we headed out to his appointment. While I was sitting on the bed waiting for him to come out of the bathroom there was an aftershock that was, of course, mild in comparison and more like a THUMP! rather than a rattle. I could hear both of them coming before they actually hit. 

That's the excitement for today other than getting lost in my own goddamn town that I've driven in for over 30 years. Jon's test went well, blood pressure was good, lungs were good, results were going to be forwarded to his doctor. He made the nurses and doctor laugh as he always does and was fine other than having a raging headache from only having a bowl of ramen soup this morning and no caffeine since yesterday morning. He's all better now that we're home, he's had two ham and cheese sandwiches and a coke for caffeine and is now snoring on the couch. 

So tired of having this stupid boot on when I have to go outside or stand for any length of time.

All fixed, all better

 Made the return trip to the optometrist to pick up my glasses, this is a chore for me to get out of the house with a crutch and my boot on. .  I was not impressed with the man that helped me. He got my name and then went to the back and got the glasses and showed me the spray and wipe that was free with it. I put my glasses on but he only sat there and watched. My experience with getting glasses is they look at how they sit on your face, ask if they feel okay, how's the vision, all that stuff. Nope, he just sat there and watched me look in the mirror and asked if everything was good, I didn't get any indication from him he was going to do anything else other than hand me my glasses and send me off. 

I got home and looked at them because  they felt a bit odd then I noticed some black dots on the peripheral edges of the lenses. Okay so get the spray and use the wipe, no effect. One of them looked like it was a piece of dirt that you might see bubbled under a screen protector. Even though it wasn't in my vision, it was not acceptable to have that. They are placement marks for sure and should have been cleaned when they finished the glasses. So that and I kept having to adjust the position and finally noticed the ear piece was off on the right side.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Totally unacceptable so I called (about an hour before they closed) and talked to Dawn. She helped me before so I told her the issue and said I would be in tomorrow to get it fixed. Needless to say I was rather frustrated yesterday about this with difficulty walking compounding the issue.

I returned today and Dawn was there so that was convenient, I was in and out in less than 45 minutes. She wrote down my name and said that her manager told her to speak with whoever helped me about what happened. Even Dawn didn't do anything more than watch as I put the glasses on and I mentioned to both of them previous experience with getting glasses fitted and neither said anything about that or went the extra. Since I'll be getting a new pair of glasses after the cataract surgery not sure if I want to go back to that particular place.

I was able to ask Jon nicely if he could help me water the garden. It's been in the 80's and clear skies the last few days. All went well even wearing the boot Here's hoping for a bumper crop of tomatoes again this year. 

That yellow leaf plant in the middle is a cucumber. I'm going to yank it and put peppers in that area and maybe start something else. It's too warm for any cool season things like peas, I have lettuce seedlings that will go in the shade and hope for the best. 

Other than that, got some freebie yarn from one of the other residents here. They have a distinct mint/floral scent so will have to open the bag and spread them out on the front porch to air out. Thought it was just the bags they were in but it's the yarn too. Airing out worked well for the yarn I got that smelled of cigarette smoke. 

Next appointment is for Jon  on the 14th doing an ECG Stress test. Physical type test with running/jogging while hooked up to a monitor is what it sounded like. Oddly enough it's in one of the buildings I remember seeing some doctor years ago, don't remember exactly which one though. Maybe when we get there I can see if anything jogs my memory. 

That's it for today, going to try and rest, keep my feet up and not walk as much. Had my boot on for half the day today and was on my feet way too much.

 Foot is technicolor bruising but not that tender and the swelling has gone down now that I'm not standing up. Old lady skin wrinkles...when did that happen?

Day two- good news mostly

 Firstly, podiatrist only had to review the x-rays and make a determination on how severe it was. Given it was a 'mild' fracture' it was optional to go see him so I said I was good with just a phone call. Basically, keep doing what I was told to do, get a follow up x-ray in 3-4 weeks, not any  sooner. Roger that, boot and take it easy for 3 weeks. Right. We know how well that works out. 

Second good news, my glasses are in! Yay! A day after I could have picked them up when I was in that area! ::Hangs head in frustration:: So we go out tomorrow and get my new glasses, while out, possibly stop at the pharmacy to pick up large band aids and a few other things. 

I actually got out and walked Rocky because he was going nuts being locked in the apartment for three days with beautiful weather outside. I was so fixated on that I didn't put a shoe on my other foot, nor did I grab one of the crutches or my hat or phone. Nothing happened thankfully but going 'off road' with a walking boot.... that was tough. And of course my left foot ended up with something sticky on the bottom, plant material of some sort. Jon noticed, I didn't so will wash it off tonight before bed. My right foot was feeling swollen and warm just now so had to get up and get the 'rice bag' from the freezer. Nurse said I could sleep without the boot and only wear it if I'm going to be walking or standing other than getting a shower or bath. I only wore the soft part last night which I'll do again tonight just to keep it stable. Honestly the crack (not even going to call it a break like my arm was) is not in a crucial area as far as I can tell but have to follow doctors orders right?

 Picture of flower blooming in the complex near the garden.

I'm sitting at the desk and I think I got onion juice on my shorts or shirt while cooking. No, I didn't do all the cooking. We had 'carne asada' today (thinkly sliced chuck steaks), I sat on a stool with the recipe and told Jon what to measure and how much then put it in a bag with the meat and in the fridge for a few hours. That all went fine, he fixed lunch for both of us, fried egg and ham with potato salad. I love the man but his social awareness is sometimes lacking. He fixed his food then went and sat down...not even offering to fix my food.  Sigh. I had tacos and he had the meat with pico on some rice. No guac because... avocados have always been too expensive and pre made guac is getting there. I only trust one version and that's the fresh made at Von's. 

So anyway, that's the update for now, will try and take a picture of me in my new specs tomorrow or another day.