"Bummer of a birthmark, Hal....."

Today was quite an adventure.  We arrived at KU about noon and made our way to get blood work done.  We then ventured off into Magnetic Resonance Imaging, or MRI.  Oh...My....Goodness...I'd never had an MRI, but have heard about them and seen them on television.  Claustrophobic.  Can I say that again?  CLAUSTROPHOBIC.  I knew how important it was to be able to get information, so I exhibited some mind-control comparable to what Tiger Woods can do on a golf course.  I simply closed my eyes once it started, and went through the alphabet trying to recite words that started with each letter.  Once I completed that and still wasn't finished, I then went golfing at my home course.  It proved very therapeutic.  I went hole by hole, selecting each club with each shot, and golfed a really good round.  Peaceful.   I highly suggest this kind of imagery if you've ever to endure such tests.  It was then off to a PET scan or Positron Emission Tomography.  It's weird having all these tests, and I almost feel like it's an out of body experience.  I suppose that's just part of processing what I'm enduring.

Tomorrow we meet with the Oncologist.  I'm not sure what emotion to have right now.  I don't want to get myself up with high hopes, but I also don't want to deny myself a chance.  It's a flatlined feeling.  At any rate, I'll be glad when tomorrow is over as I'll have somewhat of a game plan.  I've always been organized professionally (not so much in my home ...) and will have a huge sigh of relief when the facts are out and all my cards are on the table.  We met my sisters best friend, Cathy Glennon at her office, and now know where to go tomorrow.  Cathy has a full platter herself these days, and I'm also reciprocating prayers for her.  

I'm not coughing as much, which is good.  That tends to be frightening.  I'm eating tons of cough drops and chewing nicorette gum like a street walker.  I'm amazed I don't have cravings for cigarettes.  I've never smoked more than a pack a day, and am finding this a tad bit easier to avoid those nasty things.  The one thing I will say is that with this "Bummer of a Birthmark Hal" news, I've many friends that are now re-evaluating and trying to quit.  Education, at my expense, is not the best thing, but I'm glad for it for my friends sake.  {Just google "bummer of a birthmark, Hal" to find a hilarious Gary Larson cartoon.}

I'm grateful for my husband and sister.  While my strength is wavering and experiencing highs and lows, they've been there through this journey and I'm truly blessed.  My family means the world to me.

Tell those near and dear to you how much you love them.

Love and Prayers

Julie