Good news

Some very positive news today: my PET/CT came back negative. No sign of metastases or cancer anywhere else! Combined with the bone scan, this means that they're as sure as they can be with modern technology that I have no other lurking tumors or cancer from head to toe. Personally I had a good feeling that it would come back this way, but I 'm really happy to have the confirmation.

Long days, long nights.

A productive day today:

Up at 0730, pick up R by 0900, at the imaging place in Edina by 0945,
injection of radioactive isotope at about 1000, drop of prescription
at about 1045, pick up medical records including CT scan CD from
Ungawa at about 1055, meager (lack of hunger for both of us) breakfast
at the Huis at about 11:15, wait in line to return long-overdue un-
needed accessory at the Apple Store at SouthDale (note: wait until
after the iPad and new iPhone newness has worn off -- was like a day-
after-Thanksgiving sale) back to Imaging place by 1345 for bone scan,
done by 1500, meet J, drive with J and R to Mayo to drop off records
with Dr. Hunter's people, "Italian" dinner in scenic Rochester, back
to cities by 1900; much-needed quiet time with J.

Some very good news: they called me at about 1600 with news of
*negative* bonescan results. In brief, this means that the cancer has
not spread to my bones as far as anyone can tell, which is widely
regarded as a good sign.

Other good news: I have an appointment for Monday with Dr. Hunter at
Mayo, though insurance does not cover Mayo at all so the consult will
be out-of-pocket. This sucks, but its good to get the best guy on the
planet's opinion if you're able, I feel.

Further good news: I have an oncologist, whom I will meet for the
first time Thursday (tomorrow) afternoon.

p.s. my mom, who is fabulous, came and let my poor dog out in the
middle of the day. For those who were keeping track, I was gone 15
hours straight. I would not have been gone this long had I not had
someone to let her out, of course.

p.p.s. no superpowers as of yet, but I'm still hopeful.

Setbacks and discoveries, not all bad.

So some frustrating news today. Apparently I can't switch to UCare
until November (MinnesotaCare only gives you one time a year to
switch). Though apparently my primary care physician can write a note
to HealthPartners asking them to consider covering me. But that takes
2 weeks to get through the system over there at HP. And there are no
guarantees.

I may not have any option other than Dr. Ungawa and HeathPartners. It
would be almost completely covered through HP, but Ungawa wouldn't do
the procedure laparoscopically (where they make only a small
incision). The Mayo doctor, whom I shall call Thompson S. Hunter can
do laparoscopic surgery. Doing the incision traditionally will be
nearly a cesarian-size scar and a longer recovery.

The last item means that there is a case in favor of using Dr. Hunter.
Today on stolen breaks from teaching I coordinated with Dr. Ungawa's
office to send my original pathology slides to Dr. Hunter, which they
agreed to do. So they're winging their way to Rochester even as I
write this. I had to lie about my hard deadlines in order to get them
out today. I don't feel bad about that.

Tomorrow I will drive to Dr. Ungawa's office in Edina, get the CT scan
CD and written report and then drive it to Rochester myself, since Dr,
Ungawa's office has no way of overnighting things. At all. Ever.
Apparently. So a trip in the convertible to Rochester is on the
docket, immediately after I get my bone scan done tomorrow. Hopefully
its sunny, at least.

Off to see my primary care physician. This is the first chance I've
had to see him since this avalanche began, its hard to believe it was
just last Friday that I got this news.

This health stuff is a full time job!