Saturday, October 17, 2009

Back In Zona

I am back in Arizona and unfortunately it isn't for golf! I had another biopsy two days ago to determine if the new spots that showed up on my PET scan were cancerous or if they were just left over radiation residue. The biopsy consisted of me being put into the CT machine as my doctor (in a full lead bodysuit, and me in nothing more than a hospital gown) reached his hands into the machine and stuck a hollow needle into my chest while following it's path on the CT screen. He then inserted another needle into the hollow one that was still protruding from my chest and "grabbed" three samples of tissue. While the biopsy did not hurt very much, it was a little disconcerting to look down and see a hollow needle sticking out of my chest. Especially when I was informed that there was a chance of the needle puncturing my lung and/or one of the major blood vessels in the surrounding area. Thankfully my doctor had very steady hands and I am fine. With any luck the samples will come back negative and I will be on my way back to Hawaii! However if it is still cancer I will be given a few options of chemo and will need another bone marrow transplant. This one coming from a donor, not from my own bone marrow. I will have all of the results this Monday and will repost shortly after that...
The good news about being up here is that the University of Washington football team is in town to play against Arizona State so I will be at the stadium tonight rooting on the Huskies, GO DAWGS!

4 comments:

Anonymous said...

LOVE having you here!!!! HATE the reason why!!!!
Hoping and praying to get you home to Hawaii very soon.
Love you
Mom

Geoff Bush said...

Listening to a mix of Island tunes + one California born number last night I thought of you and your wonderful family and the lyrics seem to fit for a Beach Boy like you .... "Gotta keep those good, vibrations a happening ..." Yes, please keep us posted ... you are both inspiring and a great teacher on how to live. You can't "get better" Alika, you can only get well. Alohas from te MN Haole

Unknown said...

Heard about your 1.8cm nodule - hoping you get on that pill study! And hoping you'll be able to visit us in the next month, we'll show you a good time:)

Unknown said...

Thinking about you from Seattle. I guess if you have to go somewhere for treatment, it may as well be warn and sunny.
Len & Rayne