Thursday 4/14
3am. Could not sleep……….duh……….spurred me to request Susan’s 2 cents. Thus, I wrote a desperate early morning note to Susan. Her response was so simple and effective (both attached) – key event.
7am. Laurie and I awoke to the almost perfect RR climbing day. We did, however, have other plans for this big day. The three goals were: get imaging data on my body to determine if my cancer had metastasized, make contact with Justina, the multi disciplinary prostate cancer clinic coordinator at OHSU and set ourselves up for a killer climb tomorrow.
8am. We departed condo for all day-imaging fest at VWI.
9am. We arrived at the suburban strip mall, home of VWI. We entered as the doors were unlocked and the staff sipped their morning coffee. We were checked-in by simple, friendly, efficient staff.
10am. The CT scan had been completed, I had been injected with the radioactive isotope in preparation for the bone scan (3 hour wait) and Laurie had been in close contact with Susan. We exited the clinic for a walk around the city park and cancelled all plans with future climbers. Great conversation with Dave!
1pm. Trisha commenced bone scan as Laurie curiously and anxiously compared real time images with those of healthy and unhealthy ones on the Internet via her phone.
2:30pm. We exited the clinic to lunch at Giuseppe’s across the street. The plan was to return to pick up the Radiologist report before closing (5pm). We maintained continued contact with Susan and Manfred.
3:15 pm. The extremely empathetic, helpful and wonderful Justina called – delightful, reassurring conversation! Chris rocks in making sure this happened –key event.
4:45 pm. We were able to obtain the radiologists report – key event. The report bore grim news, evidence of METASTASIS.
5:00pm. We photographed and sent the image reports to Chris and Justina – totally key event.
6:30pm. We arrived at the condo and shared news with Bob. We spoke with Chris who confirmed the ominous image results. He said: “You must come see us, now!” This mandate is consistent with Susan’s intuition that we should have started treatment last week.
8:30pm. I fall asleep (almost standing up) from the day’s excitement.
10:30pm (While asleep) I receive 10:30 pm. email from Justina ………………..
dear, dear mike and laurie! i’m sure i can’t imagine what a crazy nightmare this must be for you. at the same time i know how strong and bright your spirits are and how loved you both are from the many relationships you have nurtured over the years. those are precious resources that will help you through this challenge. our family will add our voices to the chorus of prayers/positive energy (whatever you want to call it) that are coming your way. i hope you can hear all our voices and feel the arms of love around you! jim, bevan, chelsea and i will be following your progress closely. much love to you both!!!
sorry for no caps – i had rotator cuff surgery on my dominant arm last week so I’m hunting and pecking slowly
Dear Mike and Laurie, Awesome website !! How wonderful that you have taken the time to share your journey with all of us. Thank you . We love you and are grateful to be part of your lives. Love Norene and Lloyd