Meet Buster: My Big, Fat Tumor

I had a wonderful birthday, thanks to everyone who came out to my party last night and also sent birthday cards this week. I’d like to especially thank my Wyoming and Colorado family, who sent over a dozen cards with creative print and messages.  Thanks so much also to Dad & Carol, the Lammers, Nick & Melissa, Mom and Vicky. Your support has been a tremendous help.

Friday afternoon, the party was switched to my place. The reason– I wasn’t sure I’d have the energy to make it to Melissa’s house. There was a chance at one point that the party would be cancelled. My doctor’s office had called and recommended I immediately admit myself to the ER at John C. Lincoln Hospital because I had been having fevers each night and a lot of pain in my right foot. I was able to call back Dr. Lo (my oncologist who had left the ER message) and explain that I was having a party. He said it would be OK to wait for the morning to go to the hospital.

And so the party went on. My living room was transformed from a semi-hospital room to a wide open entertaining area. The hospital bed was wheeled to the back of the room and a half dozen chairs  were set out. The couch looked inviting in front of the sliding glass door, and my old office- with doors opening into the living room- was clean enough to operate as a second entertaining room.

Spinato’s was delivered, my absolute favorite pizza. By 8 o’clock everyone who was coming was there. My brother, Mark, had flown out from Austin to be there. Considering the expense of such a trip I was really touched. He had just been out here a few weeks before for my mother’s notable birthday. I was also excited to talk with an old friend- Michelle- who I hadn’t seen in about 9 years. Coffee, espresso, cheesecake, fruit and shortcake were served. I had suggested chocolate cheesecake as birthday cake and it was perfect.

By 9:30pm only family remained. We took some photos and then someone recommended the party break up so I could get some rest. I had begun to feel a little more weak, so I had no complaints about ending the party. Everyone quickly cleaned up the house and then trickled out the door. The party was over, and I was grateful for all the work put into it. (Thank you Melissa and Mom!)

This morning I’ll be admitting myself into the hospital. In the next hour, in fact. I’m not sure what the ultimate result will be, but I’m hoping to get my pain pump adjusted so my right food doesn’t throb with pain so much, and figure out if I have an infection that’s causing my nightly fevers. Maybe they’ll start me on another round of chemotherapy Monday. We’ll see.

In the meantime, thanks to all of you who came to my birthday party, sent a card, or offered well wishes. It all means a lot to me!