Wednesday, March 9, 2011

No chemo yesterday and the 80/20 rule

My red and white were so down we could not do chemo. And when I asked about my scan he said - no lie - "When did you do a scan?" I replied in a defeated fashion, "Friday." He looked at me and to the ceiling (Are my results on the ceiling???) and said, "Let's look now." So, the long and short is that the blood clots are better, that my cancer continues to shrink in my lung, that we need to ultrasound my liver to check for chemo damage, and........we need to do a PET scan to really determine where we are. REALLY?!?!?!?! Did I give someone the idea that I like to drink contrast every week? Whatever! So the nurse deaccessed (sp)me and the phones started going and I left not really knowing what to think. What I do know is somebody got an earful because I got both scans scheduled in record time and, in all the messages they were like, "We will get Hank the results ASAP!" I am currently waiting for my liver scan after the first fast, PET is tomorrow. So, back up to last night, Grant and I didn't wait to waste an evening without kids and my eating restrictions were loose so we went out and as I was telling him about the events of the day. I said, "We have been fighting for eight months on three little bits of cancer. I was a death's door three and a half years ago, riddled with cancer, and it took less time. Why isn't this over?" Grant said, "The 80/20 rule.". I did not know what that was so he explained, "It takes 20% of effort to do the first 80% and 80% of effort to do the last 20%." pause for effect.........you can imagine my face, yes? Does he not have a filter? Then I looked at the ceiling. I will let you know when I do!!!!! Loves, Ang

3 comments:

Charlene Waymire said...

Ah - but a very good analogy! Here at work, that 80% effort for 20% value is deeply frowned upon because it is so frustrating and seems like such a waste of time. But in your case, it is not a waste of time. You are fighting a war, not a battle - and with an opponent that does not play fair. Hang in there chica! You've got a great team (who can continously move mountains, I might add) and they are ever so determined to help you win the war. And the key take away from your post is that the cancer is getting smaller. So all is not for nothing. Sending you lots of hugs.

Myrna said...

Smaller is good...

Anonymous said...

Yay, dinner with Grant, kid free and able to taste the food, smaller cancer, lightening fast appointments, no chemo! What a day and night!!! We are here to help with the 80%!!! ((((Hugs & loves)))) Beckey