While Jo and I are happy living in our fifth wheel here in Oklahoma City, we've been anxious to get to actually travel with it. We were looking at the situation where she could retire early in October of 2013. While we would still need to work for some time to finish out getting out of debt, we've now been dealt a slight blow to our hopes and plans.
She has had regular mammograms over the years with a slight anomaly that has always been found to be nothing after a follow-up visit. This time, she was told that they wanted to do a needle biopsy. That was done and the resultes were NOT CANCEROUS, but pre-cancerous. So, they will now follow up with an MRI and doctor's visit this coming Wednesday (Sept 5) with a lumpectomy to follow on another date.
While we are not really concerned with impending doom from this, it has made Jo consider that being just shy of 60 (13th of this month), she feels she now needs to work until full retirement and reaching the age for Medicare coverage.
So, our 2 to 3 years yet of working is now looking to be possibly as long as 5 more years, depending on what all we will learn in the next few weeks.
Those of you that pray, please say one for courage and strength for Jo and her peace of mind. The rest of you, just keep her in your thoughts.
As for us, we will adapt to whatever comes and love living together. Travel will come, but perhaps at a later date. As a friend said some time back, "So a grass fire is coming. Hand me a water hose and some marshmallows."
Terry
-- Edited by Terry and Jo on Wednesday 5th of September 2012 09:45:35 PM
-- Edited by Terry and Jo on Tuesday 11th of September 2012 06:06:46 PM
-- Edited by Terry and Jo on Friday 14th of September 2012 10:59:06 PM
Lynn and Ed said
08:50 PM Sep 2, 2012
Terry and Jo,
I hope the very best of outcomes from the test! The waiting is not fun! Remember that this is a temporary set-back (and possibly not a setback at all). At the end of the day, it is important to not only live one day at a time (i.e., enjoy smelling the daisies) but keep in mind the bigger picture that you will both enjoy when you start full-timing and explore the big vast North American continent.
Our very best to you and Jo.
-- Edited by Lyn on Monday 3rd of September 2012 02:26:09 PM
Jim01 said
03:42 AM Sep 3, 2012
Terry, be assured that you and Jo have our thoughts and prayers.
Please don't let this setback cause a knee jerk reaction. I have seen others who have put off full-timing for one reason or another and they wind up never making the move. Wait and see what happens and then stick to your original plan if at all possible.
Remember you never know what tomorrow will bring and you can't plan for everything that might happen.
Jim
shystywolf said
05:50 AM Sep 3, 2012
i am praying for you both!
Lucky Mike said
07:57 AM Sep 3, 2012
Thoughts of you are carried within my circles..
I for one understand the hic-ups involved in life. Dont consider it a setback just a reason to set out in a better stance. things always come around.
After following you on here , you have become well respected by me and I look forward to sitting back and enjoying that breathe of fresh air With you and Jo we all search for!!!!
6 more months and hopefully the key gets turned.........I'll be looking forward to seeing you 2 out there !!
Respectfully looked up upon
-- Edited by Lucky Mike on Monday 3rd of September 2012 03:53:25 PM
GENECOP said
09:32 AM Sep 3, 2012
You are both in my prayers.
WestWardHo said
02:53 PM Sep 3, 2012
Terry & Jo,
It's always scary to face a biopsy. If I can suggest do NOT give into the fear - a positive attitude is important and I speak from experience. It's terrific that Jo caught this so early. It's wise you're both thinking and planning ahead. You/she have time to make this decision, you may not need to delay your retirement. You'll know what to do when the time comes.
Hugs to you, Jo.
~Sherry
Technomadia said
03:13 PM Sep 3, 2012
First all, sending my very best wishes your way. It's very scary to face such a thing, but I know your love and partnership will get you through it. I am hoping for the very best outcome for Jo.
I can totally understand the initial reaction of waiting until Medicare kicks in to live your travel dreams. And I do hope that as you go through this experience you keep the option open of still exploring an early retirement. Reminders like this also show us that life is short, and things can change quickly. Keep in mind, regardless of your political leaning on 'ObamaCare', starting in early 2014 - health insurance should become easier for all of us by no longer having to battle pre-existing conditions to get coverage.
Keeping you in my thoughts, - Cherie
janni said
03:14 PM Sep 3, 2012
Prayers for you both. Your decision will come in time. When they found my bad heart valve back in January a mass was found on my breast also. I had the biopsy and it was not cancer. Our future plans have changed. Take care of each other and know that a whole lot of people are praying for you.
RickandJanice said
03:36 PM Sep 3, 2012
Terri and Jo,
You are both in our prayers. Try real hard doing what you title says and just consider this a "little hiccup".
53 Merc said
05:12 PM Sep 3, 2012
Sorry to hear of the "little hiccup", but that is all it is. Stay strong and FROG. (Fully Rely On God) It does work. My wife of 54 years was recently diagnosed with Parkinson's. Just made things a little different. Her stability has been affected and she is a bit slower than she used to be, but we still do pretty much as planned. The not knowing was by far the worst part of this journey. And I am in no way comparing our situation to yours and Jo's. However, I do know you can overcome.
Terry and Jo said
07:54 PM Sep 3, 2012
Thanks, Everyone.
I have no doubt that Jo and I will not fly off the handle just yet. I think that once we get the MRI on Wednesday morning and the doctor's visit on Wednesday afternoon that we will have a lot more knowledge, perhaps enough to not be too concerned at this point about changing plans. As so many of you have said, it is in God's hands and He's done a good job so far of taking care of us. I'd tell you more about how he has protected Jo over the years, but there are some mistakes that she doesn't want me disclosing. Perhaps she will start the topic around a campfire some day.
For this week we have the Wednesday appointments and then a very special appointment on Saturday. We will be doing a "date afternoon" with our four grandkids watching a movie at their home so that their Mother and Dad can have some free time for themselves. I may have to have a long visit with Moira (3rd grandchild - 3 years old) about defensive driving. Check out the photo below of her first accident.
Terry
Yes, she is the one behind the wheel. Kevin took this with his cell phone.
-- Edited by Terry and Jo on Monday 3rd of September 2012 07:56:31 PM
Trabuco said
08:41 PM Sep 3, 2012
I hope Moira wasn't texting at the time:) Terry you and Jo hang in there prayers are in place.
-- Edited by Trabuco on Tuesday 4th of September 2012 08:30:44 AM
Bill and Linda said
09:37 PM Sep 3, 2012
Terry and Jo:
First of all you, I know you already know that the LORD is in full control of all this.He already knows the answer and it will be within His plan.But these kinds of events can be, to say the least, unsettling.
There is no one here who can advise you as to the “correct time” to retire because we all have different financial and insurance situations.We “did the math” and were comfortable with an earlier point feeling that the loss in SS payments wasn’t worth “our time” in so many words and the insurance was taken care of till Medicare.But each one’s situation is different.
May we suggest that before Jo makes a firm decision as to working until 65 she gives it over to the LORD and see what He has to say.Time gives better answers. You know how this works as well as we do and I’ll bet your both already on that path.
Trusting for a “good report” when you have it and confidence in your requests.
Bill and Linda
Cindy T said
10:50 PM Sep 3, 2012
Terry & Jo,
I'm so sorry that you've hit this detour! I'm hoping that this will only be a minor issue & all will be well soon!
Loretta said
11:56 PM Sep 3, 2012
So sorry to hear this but I am sure it is just a little detour. Please know that you are in my thoughts and prayers and I am sure that everything will work out for the best.
RVKevi said
12:04 AM Sep 4, 2012
Praying for you and Jo, Terry. I agree with Bill and Linda and I'm praying that you can retire earlier rather than later!
VanMar said
01:10 AM Sep 4, 2012
Terry and Jo,
We are praying for both of you. Put things in God's hands and He will take care of this.
Vance and Marla
Jo And Craig said
01:44 AM Sep 4, 2012
Sorry about the news, Terry and Jo, but stay strong and think positive. I second what Bill and Linda have said. Prayer, as you know, is a VERY powerful thing. I truly believe that there are times when our Heavenly Father sends us a curve ball to test our faith. Hold strong to your faith and God will see you through. Our thoughts are with you both as we lift you up in prayer.
God bless,
PD CFK said
03:05 AM Sep 4, 2012
Dear Terry and Jo. Only a week or so after buying our Cameo, a biopsy confirmed melanoma which my Doctor removed just a few days later. Waiting for results is scary. It had not spread. It's almost 2 years now and no reoccurance, thank God. I will be thinking of Jo and you, and remembering you both in prayer. Love that FROG suggestion Thanks for all you do on the forum; it's always good to read your posts. Pat K
Ckerr said
04:35 AM Sep 4, 2012
You are both in our prayers. Always best to be cautious in these situations. Keep us posted and we hope hiccups won't stand in the way of your dreams.
MandV said
06:11 AM Sep 4, 2012
Prayers from us as well. Hate that it might set your plans back a couple more years, but being adequately covered once you do cut loose is more important.
Dave Buck said
02:00 PM Sep 4, 2012
Terry, You and your wife are in our prayers. As Bill and Linda said above "the LORD is in full control" and it will all work out for good according to His plan. My wife and I planned for several years to retire and work as volunteers at churches and camp but something all way came up to delay the plans but now the time is right as everything has just been falling into place. God is in control.
Dave & Marge
Fergizmo said
02:52 PM Sep 4, 2012
Prayers from Donna and I as well. Whether going up the hills, or down the hills (like H & L), Life is Good!
Gary said
03:41 PM Sep 4, 2012
Terry and Jo wrote:I may have to have a long visit with Moira (3rd grandchild - 3 years old) about defensive driving. Check out the photo below of her first accident.
Terry
Yes, she is the one behind the wheel. Kevin took this with his cell phone.
-- Edited by Terry and Jo on Monday 3rd of September 2012 07:56:31 PM
I see nothing wrong with this photo! She was testing the "off roading" capabilities of that Jeep!
I echo what everyone else has said. Keep your heads up, looking forward. The Good Lord will take care of things. Just a little Nolan Ryan Fastball.
yorkiebeebs said
03:52 PM Sep 4, 2012
My husband and I are Christians and will keep you and your wife in our prayers. You have such a good attitude and a strong faith and I believe our Heavenly Father will guide you through this.
BruceandTrisha said
10:47 PM Sep 4, 2012
Oh, those hiccups and detours and roadblocks! We are holding you in our thoughts and prayers . . . knowing that all is good and perfectly timed. From all you've shared, it is apparent you're handling it with grace and peace and faith . . . a great testimony to others who have to wait.
mjlitz said
07:13 PM Sep 5, 2012
You are both in our thoughts and prayers. Just take each day at a time.
Ann-Hank said
11:57 PM Sep 5, 2012
Our thought are with you today, hope all is going well. Stay strong!!
Soody said
04:50 AM Sep 6, 2012
Darn the hiccups! But still, sounds like a lot to be thankful for in that Jo kept up with her check ups and what they detected is not cancerous. Scary enough for sure but hopefully Jo will have this behind her very soon! You both are in my prayers this evening. Sending healing thoughts.
Terry and Jo said
05:00 AM Sep 6, 2012
Jo underwent an MRI this morning and then around 2:00 pm, we went to the office of the surgeon who will do the surgery. Come to find out, he is a friend of another doctor here in Oklahoma City that was raised in my home town. Considering that my home town's population at its peak was only 627 people, the fact that this doctor has even been to my home town on a visit with our fellow home-towner is amazingly coincidental. He asked where we were raised after wrongly assuming that we were from the upper midwest of the U.S. When we said we were from the Oklahoma Panhandle, he asked what town. That is when he told us of his friendship with my fellow home-towner.
The next step will be for Jo to go to the Comprehensive Breast Center on Tuesday morning at 8:00 for them to insert a "wire." Then at about 11:00am, we will be at the hospital for the outpatient surgery for the doctor to enter along that wire. He described the original "crystalized" anomaly as small enough that the needle biopsy may have actually removed the bulk of that anomaly. However, he will go in and remove a section of tissue about the size of a golf ball on Tuesday morning.
Following that procedure, then the tissue mass removed will be tested again to get a final pathological result of the condition of that mass. While the biopsy showed the "crystallized" mass as non-cancerous, the study of the removed mass will be the final determination as to whether it was actually benign.
Please keep her in your thoughts and prayers. I am overwhelmed by the response that all of you have given.
Thank you very much.
Oh, by the way, the doctor and the lady that set up the scheduling for the upcoming procedures are both very interested in the idea of full-time RV'ing in the future. I've even given them the website for RV Dreams as a source of extremely valuable information should they actually choose to follow this lifestyle.
Terry
mjlitz said
05:16 AM Sep 6, 2012
Thinking and praying for you.
Future Fulltimers said
03:44 PM Sep 6, 2012
Sorry for the hic-cup and hope that all goes well. I myself went through the cancer scare a few years back and the wait for the answer was scary, but luckily all turned out well (but did set me up with a pre-existing condition which met I had to wait for Medicare to consider full timing). Ah the problem with marrying those younger gals, I qualified for Medicare this year but have a three years to go before my wife does. That hasn't fully delayed our plans but certainly has to be taken in consideration.
PIEERE said
08:29 PM Sep 6, 2012
Terry and Jo: In my thoughts and prayers and all else who is going through difficult times. I thought my best intention was to leave my employ at Beech Bend in Ky. I tried for unemployment and was denied. Now I have the month of September here in the campground in Lebanon TN. to try and locate employment that I am capable of doing.
shystywolf said
10:19 AM Sep 7, 2012
terry and jo I am praying all goes well for you. Pieere I also am praying for you to get the medical attention that a Vet deserves. And hope you can find sutibal employment that will not over tax you. Please keep us updated to bot families
WestWardHo said
03:29 PM Sep 7, 2012
Anxiously awaiting a very positive pathology report.
flyone said
06:41 PM Sep 7, 2012
Terry and Jo----you both are in my familes prayers.
Flyone
patoneill said
08:39 PM Sep 7, 2012
Terry, so sorry to hear that. I send you and Jo many good wishes and hope all will be OK after the surgery and that you'll be back on the road in no time!
Terry and Jo said
01:24 AM Sep 12, 2012
Patricia,
That would be nice, but we aren't even on the road yet. While we are living in our fifth wheel full-time, we still have jobs until we retire. That was the reason for saying that we might have a "hiccup" since we might not get to travel as soon as we had originally planned. However, in all of life, one has to "roll with the flow."
Now for the update:
Jo's surgery was today around noon or before. Less than an hour was involved with the actual surgery, but the preparatory work (inserting a wire in one facility) and then getting checked into the Outpatient Surgery was what took most of the time. After the surgery, the doctor came and told me that the surgery went very well and that Jo was waking up fairly nicely.
By about 2:00pm, we were back home. Time will tell how things go as Jo doesn't like taking some of the pain medications because they make her feel "loopy." So, the doctor had them put in some extra pain medication in her IV and he also added some "numbing stuff" in the surgery area. Beyond that, she will most likely rely on cold packs and extra strength Tylenol. She's got this idea that she wants to go back to work on Thursday (two days from now), but I may need to try to get her to at least wait until the pathology report comes back either later this week or early next week before going back. I would think the doctor ought to have some say-so as to when she actually returns to work.
That is hard for Jo. She is still a farm girl at heart and wants to be at doing what she is supposed to do. So, I guess we'll see how things go tomorrow in my ability to convince her.
In the meantime, I reached a milestone tonight. Jo worked on the weekend to make up some chili and other things that I can heat up. My co-workers at the job were kidding me that what I would be doing was "nuking" the chili. Well, I will get to give them the news that I actually heated it up on the stove-top. Wow!!!!
(Never mind that Jo still had to tell me how high to turn up the flame.)
Next report will be after the results of the pathology report is given to us.
Thanks again for all your thoughts and prayers. I was approached on a firearms forum that I participate with from someone looking for a good RV forum to check out. (He had read where I mentioned that I moderated here.) I told him that he probably couldn't find a nicer bunch of folks on a forum anywhere.
God bless you all.
Terry
Bob and Cheri said
02:21 AM Sep 12, 2012
Jo and Terry, our thoughts and prayers are with the both of you.
Jo - may god speed your recovery and let you heal soon.
Terry - congratulations for taking steps to master the stove, and not being tied to the microwave.
The best to both of you.
LifeBeganInaWinnebago said
02:50 AM Sep 12, 2012
Prayers coming your way from up the road in Salina ks. Hope you have goods news from the pathology report. This insurance thing sure seems to be a show stopper for everyone. My company use to offer insurance after retirement but not any more.
I just found out I have prostate cancer with a Gleason score of 7. I am schedualed for surgery to have it removed. I am only 53, but when you hear that dreaded word cancer you start wondering what God is planning.
The house is almost paid for. I have two pensions I could draw on at 55 and my wife and I both have 401k accounts since we started working almost 30 years ago. Makes you wonder if it time to sell out and hit the road. But then there is the show stopper, health insurance.
Mark and Becky
Terry and Jo said
05:16 AM Sep 12, 2012
Thanks, Mark. While I can't say I know Salina well, I used to drive an 18-wheeler all over Kansas, and many a trip took me up through Salina to Norway, Kansas with Anhydrous Ammonia fertilizer.
Terry
Ckerr said
08:13 PM Sep 12, 2012
I'm glad Jo is recovering well. I suspect the waiting is going to be hard and probably part of why she is anxious to get back to work -- Think about something other than the test results!
I wanted to pass along an organization a friend of mine founded in Austin, TX. Cherie is a breast cancer survivor and is doing some great things to support women and their "support crews." You and Jo might both find it helpful.
Terry and Jo, Our thoughts and prayers are with you...
Jo And Craig said
03:03 AM Sep 13, 2012
Thinking of you and hoping and praying everything goes well!
Terry and Jo said
06:04 AM Sep 15, 2012
Let me again thank all of you for extending your prayers and thoughts for us. It is greatly appreciated.
The pathology report has been revealed to us, and it is a good report. There is not any cancer, although Jo will now have to go to yet another doctor, one that will help her in controlling "whatever" so that the pre-cancerous condition is limited in its ability to become cancerous.
If you really want to know the details, they are in my latest blog post, along with my frustrations with my job.
So glad to hear this good news that it's not cancer!! Yay!!
Lucky Mike said
02:55 PM Sep 15, 2012
See......you can always cure a good set of Hic-ups by holding your breathe , then breathing deeply and letting it go its course!!!!!
Glad to hear your dreams have not been hindered and Jo has gotten the piece of mind........See you out here soon Terry!!!
thoughts of you will always be in my circle....your loved like family here
Mike
Jo And Craig said
08:58 PM Sep 15, 2012
Hey, Terry and Jo, great news! God works in wonderful ways... you know that. Take a deep breath, shake it off (work, too), and enjoy each day as it comes!!
janni said
01:42 AM Sep 16, 2012
Great news Terry and Jo! Thanks for letting us know the results.
While Jo and I are happy living in our fifth wheel here in Oklahoma City, we've been anxious to get to actually travel with it. We were looking at the situation where she could retire early in October of 2013. While we would still need to work for some time to finish out getting out of debt, we've now been dealt a slight blow to our hopes and plans.
She has had regular mammograms over the years with a slight anomaly that has always been found to be nothing after a follow-up visit. This time, she was told that they wanted to do a needle biopsy. That was done and the resultes were NOT CANCEROUS, but pre-cancerous. So, they will now follow up with an MRI and doctor's visit this coming Wednesday (Sept 5) with a lumpectomy to follow on another date.
While we are not really concerned with impending doom from this, it has made Jo consider that being just shy of 60 (13th of this month), she feels she now needs to work until full retirement and reaching the age for Medicare coverage.
So, our 2 to 3 years yet of working is now looking to be possibly as long as 5 more years, depending on what all we will learn in the next few weeks.
Those of you that pray, please say one for courage and strength for Jo and her peace of mind. The rest of you, just keep her in your thoughts.
As for us, we will adapt to whatever comes and love living together. Travel will come, but perhaps at a later date. As a friend said some time back, "So a grass fire is coming. Hand me a water hose and some marshmallows."
Terry
-- Edited by Terry and Jo on Wednesday 5th of September 2012 09:45:35 PM
-- Edited by Terry and Jo on Tuesday 11th of September 2012 06:06:46 PM
-- Edited by Terry and Jo on Friday 14th of September 2012 10:59:06 PM
Terry and Jo,
I hope the very best of outcomes from the test! The waiting is not fun! Remember that this is a temporary set-back (and possibly not a setback at all). At the end of the day, it is important to not only live one day at a time (i.e., enjoy smelling the daisies) but keep in mind the bigger picture that you will both enjoy when you start full-timing and explore the big vast North American continent.
Our very best to you and Jo.
-- Edited by Lyn on Monday 3rd of September 2012 02:26:09 PM
Terry, be assured that you and Jo have our thoughts and prayers.
Please don't let this setback cause a knee jerk reaction. I have seen others who have put off full-timing for one reason or another and they wind up never making the move. Wait and see what happens and then stick to your original plan if at all possible.
Remember you never know what tomorrow will bring and you can't plan for everything that might happen.
Jim
Thoughts of you are carried within my circles..
I for one understand the hic-ups involved in life. Dont consider it a setback just a reason to set out in a better stance.
things always come around.
After following you on here , you have become well respected by me and I look forward to sitting back and enjoying that breathe of fresh air With you and Jo we all search for!!!!
6 more months and hopefully the key gets turned.........I'll be looking forward to seeing you 2 out there !!
Respectfully looked up upon
-- Edited by Lucky Mike on Monday 3rd of September 2012 03:53:25 PM
It's always scary to face a biopsy. If I can suggest do NOT give into the fear - a positive attitude is important and I speak from experience. It's terrific that Jo caught this so early. It's wise you're both thinking and planning ahead. You/she have time to make this decision, you may not need to delay your retirement. You'll know what to do when the time comes.
Hugs to you, Jo.
~Sherry
I can totally understand the initial reaction of waiting until Medicare kicks in to live your travel dreams. And I do hope that as you go through this experience you keep the option open of still exploring an early retirement. Reminders like this also show us that life is short, and things can change quickly. Keep in mind, regardless of your political leaning on 'ObamaCare', starting in early 2014 - health insurance should become easier for all of us by no longer having to battle pre-existing conditions to get coverage.
Keeping you in my thoughts,
- Cherie
You are both in our prayers. Try real hard doing what you title says and just consider this a "little hiccup".
Thanks, Everyone.
I have no doubt that Jo and I will not fly off the handle just yet. I think that once we get the MRI on Wednesday morning and the doctor's visit on Wednesday afternoon that we will have a lot more knowledge, perhaps enough to not be too concerned at this point about changing plans. As so many of you have said, it is in God's hands and He's done a good job so far of taking care of us. I'd tell you more about how he has protected Jo over the years, but there are some mistakes that she doesn't want me disclosing. Perhaps she will start the topic around a campfire some day.
For this week we have the Wednesday appointments and then a very special appointment on Saturday. We will be doing a "date afternoon" with our four grandkids watching a movie at their home so that their Mother and Dad can have some free time for themselves. I may have to have a long visit with Moira (3rd grandchild - 3 years old) about defensive driving. Check out the photo below of her first accident.
Terry
Yes, she is the one behind the wheel. Kevin took this with his cell phone.
-- Edited by Terry and Jo on Monday 3rd of September 2012 07:56:31 PM
I hope Moira wasn't texting at the time:) Terry you and Jo hang in there prayers are in place.
-- Edited by Trabuco on Tuesday 4th of September 2012 08:30:44 AM
Terry and Jo:
First of all you, I know you already know that the LORD is in full control of all this. He already knows the answer and it will be within His plan. But these kinds of events can be, to say the least, unsettling.
There is no one here who can advise you as to the “correct time” to retire because we all have different financial and insurance situations. We “did the math” and were comfortable with an earlier point feeling that the loss in SS payments wasn’t worth “our time” in so many words and the insurance was taken care of till Medicare. But each one’s situation is different.
May we suggest that before Jo makes a firm decision as to working until 65 she gives it over to the LORD and see what He has to say. Time gives better answers. You know how this works as well as we do and I’ll bet your both already on that path.
Trusting for a “good report” when you have it and confidence in your requests.
Bill and Linda
Terry & Jo,
I'm so sorry that you've hit this detour! I'm hoping that this will only be a minor issue & all will be well soon!
So sorry to hear this but I am sure it is just a little detour. Please know that you are in my thoughts and prayers and I am sure that everything will work out for the best.
Terry and Jo,
We are praying for both of you. Put things in God's hands and He will take care of this.
Vance and Marla
Sorry about the news, Terry and Jo, but stay strong and think positive. I second what Bill and Linda have said. Prayer, as you know, is a VERY powerful thing. I truly believe that there are times when our Heavenly Father sends us a curve ball to test our faith. Hold strong to your faith and God will see you through. Our thoughts are with you both as we lift you up in prayer.
God bless,
I will be thinking of Jo and you, and remembering you both in prayer. Love that FROG suggestion
Dave & Marge
I see nothing wrong with this photo! She was testing the "off roading" capabilities of that Jeep!
I echo what everyone else has said. Keep your heads up, looking forward. The Good Lord will take care of things. Just a little Nolan Ryan Fastball.
My husband and I are Christians and will keep you and your wife in our prayers. You have such a good attitude and a strong faith and I believe our Heavenly Father will guide you through this.
Oh, those hiccups and detours and roadblocks! We are holding you in our thoughts and prayers . . . knowing that all is good and perfectly timed. From all you've shared, it is apparent you're handling it with grace and peace and faith . . . a great testimony to others who have to wait.
Darn the hiccups! But still, sounds like a lot to be thankful for in that Jo kept up with her check ups and what they detected is not cancerous. Scary enough for sure but hopefully Jo will have this behind her very soon! You both are in my prayers this evening. Sending healing thoughts.
Jo underwent an MRI this morning and then around 2:00 pm, we went to the office of the surgeon who will do the surgery. Come to find out, he is a friend of another doctor here in Oklahoma City that was raised in my home town. Considering that my home town's population at its peak was only 627 people, the fact that this doctor has even been to my home town on a visit with our fellow home-towner is amazingly coincidental. He asked where we were raised after wrongly assuming that we were from the upper midwest of the U.S. When we said we were from the Oklahoma Panhandle, he asked what town. That is when he told us of his friendship with my fellow home-towner.
The next step will be for Jo to go to the Comprehensive Breast Center on Tuesday morning at 8:00 for them to insert a "wire." Then at about 11:00am, we will be at the hospital for the outpatient surgery for the doctor to enter along that wire. He described the original "crystalized" anomaly as small enough that the needle biopsy may have actually removed the bulk of that anomaly. However, he will go in and remove a section of tissue about the size of a golf ball on Tuesday morning.
Following that procedure, then the tissue mass removed will be tested again to get a final pathological result of the condition of that mass. While the biopsy showed the "crystallized" mass as non-cancerous, the study of the removed mass will be the final determination as to whether it was actually benign.
Please keep her in your thoughts and prayers. I am overwhelmed by the response that all of you have given.
Thank you very much.
Oh, by the way, the doctor and the lady that set up the scheduling for the upcoming procedures are both very interested in the idea of full-time RV'ing in the future. I've even given them the website for RV Dreams as a source of extremely valuable information should they actually choose to follow this lifestyle.
Terry
Terry and Jo----you both are in my familes prayers.
Flyone
Patricia,
That would be nice, but we aren't even on the road yet. While we are living in our fifth wheel full-time, we still have jobs until we retire. That was the reason for saying that we might have a "hiccup" since we might not get to travel as soon as we had originally planned. However, in all of life, one has to "roll with the flow."
Now for the update:
Jo's surgery was today around noon or before. Less than an hour was involved with the actual surgery, but the preparatory work (inserting a wire in one facility) and then getting checked into the Outpatient Surgery was what took most of the time. After the surgery, the doctor came and told me that the surgery went very well and that Jo was waking up fairly nicely.
By about 2:00pm, we were back home. Time will tell how things go as Jo doesn't like taking some of the pain medications because they make her feel "loopy." So, the doctor had them put in some extra pain medication in her IV and he also added some "numbing stuff" in the surgery area. Beyond that, she will most likely rely on cold packs and extra strength Tylenol. She's got this idea that she wants to go back to work on Thursday (two days from now), but I may need to try to get her to at least wait until the pathology report comes back either later this week or early next week before going back. I would think the doctor ought to have some say-so as to when she actually returns to work.
That is hard for Jo. She is still a farm girl at heart and wants to be at doing what she is supposed to do. So, I guess we'll see how things go tomorrow in my ability to convince her.
In the meantime, I reached a milestone tonight. Jo worked on the weekend to make up some chili and other things that I can heat up. My co-workers at the job were kidding me that what I would be doing was "nuking" the chili. Well, I will get to give them the news that I actually heated it up on the stove-top. Wow!!!!
(Never mind that Jo still had to tell me how high to turn up the flame.)
Next report will be after the results of the pathology report is given to us.
Thanks again for all your thoughts and prayers. I was approached on a firearms forum that I participate with from someone looking for a good RV forum to check out. (He had read where I mentioned that I moderated here.) I told him that he probably couldn't find a nicer bunch of folks on a forum anywhere.
God bless you all.
Terry
Jo - may god speed your recovery and let you heal soon.
Terry - congratulations for taking steps to master the stove, and not being tied to the microwave.
The best to both of you.
Thanks, Mark. While I can't say I know Salina well, I used to drive an 18-wheeler all over Kansas, and many a trip took me up through Salina to Norway, Kansas with Anhydrous Ammonia fertilizer.
Terry
I'm glad Jo is recovering well. I suspect the waiting is going to be hard and probably part of why she is anxious to get back to work -- Think about something other than the test results!
I wanted to pass along an organization a friend of mine founded in Austin, TX. Cherie is a breast cancer survivor and is doing some great things to support women and their "support crews." You and Jo might both find it helpful.
Heal in Comfort
Continued prayers and good thoughts...
Our thoughts and prayers are with you...
Let me again thank all of you for extending your prayers and thoughts for us. It is greatly appreciated.
The pathology report has been revealed to us, and it is a good report. There is not any cancer, although Jo will now have to go to yet another doctor, one that will help her in controlling "whatever" so that the pre-cancerous condition is limited in its ability to become cancerous.
If you really want to know the details, they are in my latest blog post, along with my frustrations with my job.
Thanks again to all.
Relief and Frustration
Terry
So glad to hear this good news that it's not cancer!! Yay!!
Glad to hear your dreams have not been hindered and Jo has gotten the piece of mind........See you out here soon Terry!!!
thoughts of you will always be in my circle....your loved like family here
Mike