Wednesday 08/20/25 6 AM

With tomorrow’s Bone Scan for cancer looming 26 hours away I actually feel good. I’m not saying there aren’t any concerns because obviously there are. Whether the results return negative or positive, more tests are coming in the future.

A negative result means another biopsy while a positive finding will likely lead to my last available MRI. Why my last? It’s because of the ICD I have and the number of times they’ll do one over the device’s lifetime. That number is two and I’ve already had one with the current device back in 2023.

Mackinaw City

I returned Monday night from Mackinaw City where so many anxieties were put at ease. Oh, I needed the trip North. After discovering I would need the bone scan I made plans to return for a visit before the test. Not knowing the future of any further tests, it was now or maybe never.

I was there for three days last month and had an enjoyable time. Even had met someone the night before I was to leave. I had a week before the test, I rationalized, so I returned.

A planned night out on the beach and I still have to laugh at the shirt. Damn those synchronicities. 🤣😂 The Universe will not stop! (IYKYK) And as if the town knew I need cheering up, there were fireworks lighting up the skies two nights before my departure home. Here is the finale.

The Links

Did you know the golf term ‘links‘ refers to the course a round of golf is played on? It derives from the Old English word “hlinc”, meaning “rising ground, ridge” and is associated with coastal golf courses.

So yes, although I’m not a fan of nor play golf, I did play a round of ‘links’ with my new friend Yamaly. And it was most definitely on the costal grounds of Lake Huron.

Above us are ziplines that run over the putt-putt course we played. Unfortunately, they weren’t open during either of my visits.

Seriously Tho…

One thing I want to address is when people say, “you don’t look sick”. Of all the things said, that’s the most irritating statement one can make. You don’t see the disease inside nor the scars from procedures and the hockey puck sized ICD covered by clothing. So, when you’re talking to someone about their illness, give that one a rest.

Bone Scan

The Bone Scan is comprised of two separate appointments. First the NM (Nuclear Medicine) Injection which contains radioactive tracers into a vein. The tracers emit radiation than can later be detected by the cameras on the scan. After the injection, I’ll be free to leave a couple hours before returning for the actual scan.

The second part, you’re laid on a table and the Xray type cameras rotate around you. No pain and I’ve always joked about turning into a creature much like Godzilla after the injection. But have chosen Yoda. He’s from space and has ‘The Force.’ What could be better?

Grogu

I adopted Grogu (not quite Yoda) a few years back after seeing him dangling in a grocery store bin. It was more than empathy that won my heart over that day. I thought of his older brother in California being an only child and said to myself, that’s no way to live. Everyone needs a sibling.

Anyway, Grogu has traveled everywhere with me since. He’s been to Boston, Chicago, Madison, Wisconsin and Minneapolis as well as Mackinaw City now.

Thursday 08/21/25 5:30 AM

It’s early, I need to get the cobwebs out of my head. Only fitting I have coffee out of the Jack Skellington mug. Get it ‘skeleton?’ Ok, maybe a Star Trek analogy would’ve worked better using Dr McCoy. But I did play that one during radiation therapy in ’23.

Indeed, some things were ‘Simply Meant to Be.’ I just wish cancer, and I had never met. Have to start getting ready now. Enough Procrastination.

Nuclear Medicine 7:15 AM

I reminded myself, I’ve been here and done that, as I exit the elevator to the hospital’s Nuclear Medicine Department in the basement.

Within 15 minutes, even before my 8 AM appointment, Mary came into the waiting room and called my name. I was briefly explained as to what she was about to do. A refresher course from my previous bone scan.

Then given the opportunity, I explained to her I had been documenting my cancer experience via these blogs, and she humbly agreed to being in the photo.

Before leaving she told me to return in 3 hours. This gives the tracers time to flow through my system so the bone scan machine can detect them with its imagery.

In and out in less than 10 minutes, I was on my way to the grocery store to fill my cupboards and fridge once more. I had left them near empty prior to my Mackinaw journey.

I returned back to NM about 2 1/2 hours later and again was whisked in for the imaging portion of the test.

I asked Mary before we began if she’d be kind enough to get a shot of me on the imagining table and she happily agreed.

When the results come in either later this evening or tomorrow, hopefully they’ll show no signs of cancer in my bones. Until then it’s become a waiting game, and this is where I’ll stop till then.

Thursday 4 PM

I thought it would be longer. Perhaps after 10 p.m. But it wasn’t. The results of this morning’s scan are back. I’ve opened them and they’re quite easily understood.

Was I nervous? No, I don’t think so. I believe I’m beyond being nervous about cancer. Anxious is more applicable as it’s often a waiting game. But when it all began and I realized I have access to the results, likely, before oncology sees them, then I was nervous. Today I had The Force with me.

The ‘Findings’ say enough. The worst-case scenario is ruled out. Although another biopsy is around the corner, I can breathe a sigh of relief that the cancer hadn’t spread. Now we have what I see as a tie game. And what’s left to do, even in its worst case, I’ve been through and can do it once more.

For Today I Know…

…I’m Alive

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