Day 1: CTCA

   Well, we survived day 1 of evaluation. The staff, the doctors', the nurses...they are all so amazing. They make you feel like a real person and not a number. They believe that patients are their number one priority and believe me, it shows. I would highly recommend them to anyone going through cancer. It is an experience that is truly unforgettable. 

   We ate lunch at Fuddruckers before we started our full day. The kids and KB had never been there before but, they really loved it (they better love it since it was $51.00). Here is a picture of them hanging out with the King of Rock. 

   Then, we began our evaluations. The first step was New Patient Registration. I am just going to say that the lady in registration (Margo) made me feel like I was the most beautiful woman in the world. She loved my dark hair, dark skin tone, and the shape of my eyes. She said I had a lot of the same features as the Kardashian's....I was not quite sure that this was much of a compliment, however, she ensured me that indeed it was a very high compliment. Well...she must be a fan....so I will take it.

   Next, was the New Patient Consult...that took about 20 minutes. Then I met with my nurse navigator (Donna). She will be following me throughout my entire treatment process. Then came the nurse assessment intake...and here is where I found out I am a whopping 5'4 inches tall. Wow! I thought I was taller than that lol. I have also lost 25 lbs in 2 weeks so they are really concerned about that. She hugged all of us. 

   Then I met with the Intake Physician, Dr. Altshuler. This man went to Duke. He is amazingly smart and his bedside manner is impeccable. He checked my right breast and indeed found a huge lump. He also felt enlarged nodes in my abdomen. So, he ordered an Ultrasound for my breast, a Pet Scan, and an MRI. 

   The next part of my evaluation, was getting my blood drawn where the phlebotomist and I talked smack about our husbands. That was one of the highlights of my day. HA!! 

   And then I went to Physical Therapy, where I had an evaluation to see if I qualified for PT. She recommended PT because I have balance issues, because my right shoulder is still of no use, and because of my shortness of breath. And the last part of my evaluation...I got a chest X-Ray. I am so exhausted it isn't even funny....but my next three days are going to be even busier than today.

   We took the kiddos to eat at Abuelo's which was my grandmother's favorite place to eat, not in Tulsa, but in Abilene. We love Abuelo's. It is one of the only restaurants my kids will clean their plates at. 

   After we arrived back at CTCA, they had therapy dogs that can actually smell cancer on patients. I got to be loved on by 2 big beautiful Saint Bernards, one gorgeous Golden Retriever, and my favorite dog...a Cocker Spaniel. It was wonderful and now I know why dogs are considered great therapy. It made me miss my Callie that much more. 

   Tomorrow, I will begin my morning with an EKG, then a Pulminary Function Test, and then a 6 minute walk. After all of that, I will go to Physical Therapy, have another nurse assessment, see my pulmonologist (Dr. Nader), get my Ultrasound, visit with my Nurse Navigator, and then get Pastoral Care. My children will get counseled after all of the testing and doctor's visits are complete tomorrow. I think it will be great for them. The program is called CLIMB. They will participate in lots of activities with other children whose parents have cancer...so they will make some lifelong friends. 

   I will be here at least until Sunday. I will probably start my first treatment either on Friday or Saturday.

   I forgot to mention, that every month we travel to CTCA, they will pay one non-medical bill for us. So that relieves some of the financial burden. I am so tired of feeling like I am a burden because I cannot work and all of this falls on KB's shoulders. And there is only so much he can do. We have been blessed with a few angels over the last week...and without them, this trip wouldn't have happened. God always provides, especially if He believes in what we are trying to do. 

   I am not going to let cancer to break me. I refuse to allow it to lead me into despair. That is why I am here. There is always glory in suffering. The worst things that we can imagine in our life on Earth are not worthy to be compared to our life with Christ in Heaven.

   You lose the battle with cancer if you have the woe is me attitude even if you live through it. 

   Romans 8:37-39 No, despite all these things,overwhelming victory is ours through Christ, who loved us. And I am convinced that nothing can ever separate us from God’s love. Neither death nor life, neither angels nor demons, neither our fears for today nor our worries about tomorrow—not even the powers of hell can separate us from God’s love. No power in the sky above or in the earth below—indeed, nothing in all creation will ever be able to separate us from the love of God that is revealed in Christ Jesus our Lord.