In the Nick of Time

Hi Friends and Family,

My mom and I were at UCSF yesterday to see the good doctor for a check-in appointment. It was her first time to meet him, and he was in a fun mood. We were just consulting on the results of my latest blood test, which had no new surprises. My thryoid TSH level is even lower now (.01, with a normal range being .3-5), so we are pretty much playing a waiting game for it to fail outright. Apparently there is no rush on our part! The extreme of how my thyroid is acting would explain a few of my side effects, though. He took pretty extensive notes (with the help of another 'trainee') on all of the side effects I had this last time, and again they are all expected, just varying from time to time in the degree. I also took the CD of my last scans, which he hadn't seen yet. We looked at them together-very strange as it is like you are looking at yourself through the middle from head to toe lengthwise. It took awhile to get the perspective, but my mom and I finally figured it out, and saw the little specks in my lungs. The doctor was glad to see the scans for himself, as he thinks they don't look as badly as the report led him to believe. In fact, he thinks that the larger 'irregular opacity' might not even be a tumor, but an infection. The next scans in 6 weeks will be very interesting to compare. So...I start my 7th round of chemo (9 full months, now) on Thursday. I was also told, and expected to hear, that the year mark is not a magical number. It's a wait and see time as to what will come after that. God is good, as I was prepared to hear that.

My mom and I went to the Ferry Building after the appointment, as it was gorgeous, walking-around-in-shirtsleeves weather. In San Francisco, I can park free in most places with my handicapped placard, so we found a place on the street, checked that it was okay with the parking gal who rides around in the little cart giving out tickets, and left, not needing to buy a metered tag for the windshield. Well, after we ate and checked out the shops in the Ferry Building, we were strolling back towards the car with our Peet's, and I look ahead and saw that my car and all the others around it were surrounded my tow trucks! Now to get to the car, I had to cross a double-wide street with a train running through the middle of it. I made it to the last part, but the traffic light would not change, and only my car was left for them to tow...and they were loading it up! Finally, the cars passed, and even though the light hadn't changed, I went running. I told the officer in charge what the situation was, and he informed me that the magical hour of 3:00 had passed, and all cars were towed after that time...and that it was posted on the place where you buy your pass, and on street signs. Well, I shared (very respectfully) that I had checked with the meter gal, and that since I hadn't needed to buy one of those passes, I didn't know the magical time, and the sign nearby was hidden in the trees. I really hadn't seen it! He was very firm, but also very gracious. He told me I would get my car, and no ticket, but to be aware the next time. Folks, my car was already hooked to the truck and they were ready to drive away when I ran up. God is so good. Without even knowing, my mom and I were in the right place in the nick of time to avoid who knows what hassles that would have resulted. I have been thanking Him ever since. Isn't this proof that He cares for even the details in our lives?

Humbly,
Danene
August 4, 2009