Friday, 12/24 -- Time well spent.

The plan worked. By being admitted into the hospital I was able to be seen by the neurologist, radiologist, radiation therapist and others in a very short amount of time. If I tried to schedule these appointments outside of the hospital, I wouldn't have been seen until mid January.

So, everyone did their exams, checked their charts and ran their tests.

I had a new CT Scan on my spine.
I had blood work done.
I did demonstrations of mobility and lack thereof.
I found new, and inventive ways to describe the kind of pain I was experiencing. Everything with practice can become a story.

Possible extreme outcomes included:

Surgery to correct whatever problem they discover.

Radiation therapy targeted at any new tumor that might be pressing on a nerve. 3 weeks of radiation, mind you.

Combinations of the above.

Results:

There are no apparent new tumors growing along my spine.

The tumors that were definitely there in July are not there now. (Yes, read that again.)

My bones are still weakened from the former tumors and the chemotherapy.

Lifting things like 40 pound buckets of water is going to have a severe impact on these weakened bones. Lifting a 40 pound bucket can easily cause compression fractures along the spine which in turn can pinch nerves.

Pinched nerves can be extremely painful, but in cases like mine, they can heal themselves along with the muscles and bones.

The miracle of modern medicine continue to bring me drugs to help control pain and discomfort. This keeps me comfortable while these things heal.

Conclusion:
Get the heck out of this hospital you healthy SOB!

I'm still in pain, but nothing like it was a week ago. I'm learning to move around without aggravating my condition. The drugs dull the pain and help with the swelling. I'm taking it easy this time. No more heavy lifting. I'm going to be a wimp for a long time.

Back to the other bit of news that I mentioned above. Next week we'll start to schedule more comprehensive scans to see how much of the cancerous tumors are history. I don't want to get too excited prematurely, but I can't help but hold onto the news that we continue to kick this disease's ass.

Hang THAT in your stocking by the chimney with care!
Wheeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeee!