Post surgery Dr. visit

Met with Dr. Pugmire this afternoon.  He's happy with the way the surgery went and how things are going.  We really chatted more about Dr. Fata and how what he has done has effected so many people in so many ways.  Dr. Pugmires office is in the same building as was Dr. Fatas.  It's virtually a ghost town now.  The parking lot used to be full and there were always people coming and going.  Yesterday there was one other patient waiting.  Eerily quiet for such a big building.  I have an appointment in 4 weeks to set up the chemo plan, as he will have the results from the lab by then.   He told me to go and have a good time and enjoy my life.  Chemo will start after the wedding.  I cannot thank guardian angel who was looking out for me.  I would of been in a much bigger mess if I didn't make the move when I did.  I'm also overwhelmed by the kindness of my family and friends during all of this.  Your kind words sent in cards or thru e-mail, praying with me over the phone and just helping me out with everyday life issues has taken a tremendous burden off my shoulders.  I've said it before and will continue to..I couldn't do this without all of you.  Tomorrow is Abby's wedding shower,,seems like yesterday we were making plans and now were finishing them..then onward to the wedding.  In the meantime, I'm enjoying my "freedom" from chemo and Dr.s and know that it will all work out in the end.

                                                               Peace & Love

The FBI arrives

It's been a week since I've had surgery and I'm feeling better and stronger everyday.  I still have no appetite, thou the Dr said one of the drugs I'm taking suppress it.  Getting by eating stale cheerios and yogurt!  Losing a few pounds isn't all that bad.  I'm sure once I finish up the drugs I will be eating again.  So onto the FBI part of the story.  I was starting to make zucchini bread for a good friend when my phone rings.  Not looking at the number, I answer. " Hello, may I speak to Marcia Bolam please"?  "This is she"  "Hello, my name is XXXXX from the Federal Government, you were a patient of Dr. Fata and recently left"?  "Ahhh, yes"  "We would like to talk to you if possible".  "Ok, you mean on the phone"?  "No, we would come to your house if that's ok...you live at --------we can be there in half an hour".   "Oh, ok".   Holy crap, I ran to the garage where Bob was working on a project and told him the FBI was coming.  Not sure if he believed me at first. So then I did what any woman would do, I grabbed a dust rag and started wiping down the coffee table and furniture and throwing shoes in the closet etc!!!  Then flew upstairs to find some clothes that I could wear instead of p.j's or sweats, brush my hair and teeth and try to look presentable.  Next thing the doorbell rings and there they are...the men in black!  They held out their ID and badges, shook our hands and came in and sat down.  One wrote while the other "interviewed" us.  They were more than interested in the blog and even asked if they would have a chapter. ( Here is is guys! ) The interview lasted 2 hours, we went all the way back to 2008 when I first started seeing Dr. Fata, up until the present time.  Halfway thru, the one agent said, "we should of come here first".  I think they were impressed by all the info we gave them.  It was pretty cathartic going thru the past, but also sad bringing up some memories.  They asked if we would be willing to talk to the attorney general in Detroit and we said yes.   So will have to wait and see if we hear from them again.  So the zucchini bread that was started to be made at 10:00a.m finally got finished around 3:30!!  Will keep the post up-dated at things happen. 
                                                                         Peace & Love

The past week....

It has been a very busy, hectic past few weeks.  Bob and I, along with Abby and Dan took a short trip to Erie to visit with family and just get a few days of relaxing in before undertaking all that was waiting ahead for us.   The shocking news came in a phone call on our way home, when my friend called to tell me that Dr. Fata had been arrested by the FBI.  One of the many charges they are bringing against him is treating patients with chemo when no cancer is present.  Needless to say, I was very upset and still am.  Abby brought it up on her smart phone and read all 20 pages of the indictments that were being brought upon him. As upsetting as all this was, I had to re-focus on my up-coming surgery, which was the next day.   My surgery couldn't of gone any better than it did.  Dr Pugmire was able to do the procedure using the robot, so I have very minimal incisions in my stomach.  He feels that he got all of the tumor and the surrounding tissue and has sent it off to a lab in California to be tested to see what the most effective chemo will be to treat me with.  He also did a saline cavity wash and no cancer cells showed up, which is great news too.  I was under the impression I'd be in the hospital for only 2-3 days, really it was 3-5 days.  Dr. Pugmire felt that I was doing well enough that I got out on day 3.  I had wonderful care in the hospital, being on the same floor that Abby works made a lot of difference as I had her friends taking care of me.  I don't think I was a difficult patient, just laid in bed and slept most of the time!  Now home, recuperating.  I don't have a lot of restrictions,  I just need to take it easy and get my energy and appetite back.  Abby's shower in 2 weeks and I want to be feeling good for that.  As always, I cannot thank my friends and family enough for all their love and support.  The visits, phone calls, messages, meals brought to the house.........when this is all over I plan on having one BIG party to celebrate and everyone will be invited!!!!!  I have a follow up appointment with Dr Pugmire on Aug 22nd.  As it stands right now, the 6 rounds of chemo won't start till after the wedding, guessing mid October.  So once again, sending out thanks to all who have been praying for me near and far. I feel good about all that is happening, extremely happy with Dr, Pugmire and hoping this is the" beginning of the end" and will soon be able to move on with my life.
                                                                                       Peace & Love