Way Down Deep

Not really all that far does one have to go to extract bone marrow. Probably less than an inch.

Last Tuesday was the scheduled bone marrow biopsy for this round of follow up. If I calculate correctly, I have had 7 of them since November 2008 and only have 3 more to go between now and August 2014 (another one in 6 months and then only one in 2013 and one in 2014) when I will be considered officially cured of the alien invasion.

I was asked on Sunday if I had heard back from the results of the bone marrow biopsy. I replied that I hadn't and I normally don't worry about it unless the doctor's office calls me. If a week or two passes without hearing from them, all is well.

Remind yourself to keep breathing as you read the next part.

Monday, the caller ID on my phone indicated a call from the doctor's office. Before I could say anything other than "Hello," the medical assistant to my doctor said, "I'm calling you with the following message from your doctor. You have beautiful bone marrow." Immediately after that, the verbal hijinks began.

That's how it works for me. If they had paused and said, "The doctor would like to meet with you, can we schedule an appointment," there would have been anxiety.

However, being the pros that they are, they know how to make and deliver those calls before anxiety even has an opportunity to peek in the door.

First down at 10 at midfield....

I'll Have Another Round

This round of scans, bone marrow biopsy, doctor follow up - DONE!

Nothing to report other than another 6 months of being cancer free. What is left is the next round in 6 months and then it goes to yearly testing/follow ups after that. Only 3 more rounds left in the next two and a half years.

It's funny though, I can tell when people ask me, "How are you doing?", that maybe their real question is, "Has the cancer returned?" I had a couple of coughing spells in the last few months and a friend said to me, "I've noticed you have been coughing alot lately..." Given our familiarity, I replied with a snarky remark.

I was telling a retired nurse friend of mine about how I sense everybody still seems concerned about my health when I think they needn't be. She replied, "Let your friends be concerned for you and care about you."

I get it now. Nurses are so smart!