karenulijohn

Today was results day when we visited with the oncologist this morning.  Dr. Colbourne told us that the CAT scan showed no signs of cancer and the blood work came back normal.  Something in his demeanor kept us from jumping up and down with joy, so we waited for the other shoe to drop.  And, it did!  CAT scans see all, apparently.  Apart from possible gallstones and diverticulosis, Harvey has an aneurysm on the descending aortic artery.  It is about 4.5cm and slightly below the heart.  The possible consequence of this was graphically described by the doctor when he said, “if it bursts, you’ll feel a quick pain and you’ll be dead in less than a minute.”  To this, Harvey only replied, “good!”  Dr. Colbourne went on to say that this aneurysm appears to be stable and its location and size are not as worrisome as it could be if it were larger and a few cms closer to the heart.  Thus, we will add a new doctor to our list with a visit to the cardio-vascular surgeon, Dr. Cardozza.

As we were driving home, I asked Harvey if he was worried.  “No,” he replied.  “There is no point in worrying about something I can’t change.”  At that, I burst into tears and told him that I was afraid.  I can’t imagine my life without him.  Fortunately, that opened up a good dialogue which provided a release for me, and I think for him too.  We agreed that we need to cherish each other and the time we have together all the more.

Yet, life goes on.  I walked my five miles, got a haircut, and did some shopping at CVS.  He is at a Rotary connected meeting this afternoon, and will chair the HAM club meeting this evening.

Here are some statistics you may be interested in regarding Harvey’s medical issue.  He has had 37 medical appointments since April including 3 surgeries, 5 radiation treatments, 2 PET scans, 2 CAT scans, 1 MRI, 4 Yervoy infusions, and numerous  blood draws.  They sure add up, don’t they?