Personally, Arlene, I prefer Gold and Diamonds, but, I think finding out your husband has :ohmy: a defect is equally important. And he can say you gave him a scar to prove it!

At first glance, Arlene, CT scans seem a "bit bizarre," but aren't you so thankful for wherever the idea came from? Certainly seems like fate, karma, whatever. I'm just so thankful it was discovered and treated and he's on the recovery road!

Arlene, you both gave each other a great gift! So many medical problems can go undetected until it reaches the point of great concern. Marc averted that, and dodged a potentially serious medical bullett, thanks to your gift!

Hope each day finds you better and stronger, Marc! Good to see you back on LCT!

Denise I agree, what a great gift. You know that is something most people (including me) will not spend the time and MONEY to just go do! If you have the "gift certificate" yo will go. So many of us have so much already, it truly is the gift so the person that has "everything"!!

Just found this thread and want to add our very best wishes for an uneventful recovery, Marc. Clyde & Jean

Wow, Arlene, this is not a gift I think I'd ask for...usually jewelry or a cruise...but in your case, it was such a good thing,that it gives one a reason to reconsider....nah...I'll go for the cruise next XMAS.

None of us may want that gift BUT what a great gift given the circumstances - can't wear the jewelry or cruise if we don't have our health - I think it was a brilliant gift - wish someone had given it to me before I found out, the hard way, I had a problem - Joanna

WOW! That is amazing!
I didn't have any symptoms either, it was my PMC Dr that found something that bothered him on my normal urine tests, and sent me to the Urologist, who was puzzeled as well, and thus said, "Well lets just do a kidney ultrasound and send you on your way" wrong....ultrasound showed something, but they couldn't diagnose it from that, so I had a CT the same day --- and there it was! So you just never know do you.
So, you guys gave each other an amazing gift of life -- who knows where Marc would be without your gift, and what he thus averted! Cheers to both of you

I am so glad you guys are logical and not foolish in your gift giving. Giving the gift of life to one another is spectacular. You are very special.

JoAnn,

Isn't amazing that you can have soemthing like that and not have the slightest symptoms. When we had the tests we both went in thinking we were probably wasting a lot of money! The Docs could see it on the CT scan but when we looked we couldn't tell anything as of course we didn't know how to "read" such a thing. Then when he had the MRI which showed this huge thing plain as day we were both absolutly shocked. How you can have something like that and not have any idea is just hard to beleive. Sure makes me understand why so many people are diagnosed so late.

I am so happy to hear how well you are doing. We both wish you continued good health!

Arlene, when I was diagnosed with breast cancer, it was from a mammogram. No lump was ever felt, even by the surgeon. Since then I've encouraged every woman I know to have her regular mammogram. The gift you gave each other was life. Judith

Marc,
Glad you are doing alot better. :)

It sounds like we have both been down and out about the same time. I was at Hopkins for 5 days and got "out of jail" the 11th. It is going to be a very long battle for me for the next 8 months the doctors have told me. Hopkins call me odd! <img border="0" alt="[bang]" title="" src="graemlins/banghead.gif" /> I shall send you an e-mail and fill you in.

Yes- it is amazing what does not show up on the scans- and what actually shows up on biopsy's. I have been scanned from head to the toes since Oct. and really scanned all over in Jan. That is what is so scary!!

take care- thinking about you.

Jan

Jan, I am glad to see that you posted, I have been thinking about you! :hug:

Jan,

Thanks for coming by to say hi. Hope you are feeling chipper and good as new soon.

Jan:

Thanks for the email; good luck on your treatments. Have you though anymore about that cruise over New Years? The timing should be good.

Marc- actually some of the people that were signed up have backed out of the New Years trip. They all went on the group cruise when I was in the hospital. thanks for all the good wishes- I will need them over the 8 months plus.
Jan

Hi Jan,

Sorry to read of your medical situation. I do hope your course of treatments will bring you back to full health very, very soon! Please take care! I wish you well and will hold very good thoughts that your battle will be won!

Jan,

Just wanted to say, I'm glad that you posted and to say good luck! You can be sure that you will be in our thoughts and prayers in the days and months to come.

Betty

Jan, so sorry you are going through a difficult period. You are blessed to be near a facility like Hopkins. Hope all goes well and you will be cruising again soon.

Jan and Marc...wishing both of you quick recoveries. Hang in there!

Thinking about you, Jan and wishing you the very best!! Bonnie and Jack

Just checking to see how Marc is doing? Thinking about you.....

Bonnie:

I am doing great. Staples out, ok to go back to work, building up energy. This has been far easier than I ever imagined.

Great news, Marc!!! And I'm sure everyone is telling you to be careful and not overdo it!!

Marc, I was very happy to read your post. Don't overdo; even if you feel great, you have some recuperating to do yet.

Jan, I've been in Hopkins. If you have to be in a hospital, it is the finest! I hope the next eight months pass quickly for you and you are tip/top again soon. Visit Little Italy and fill up on pasta!

Judith

Marc, that is the best report, keep up the good work!

Marc: You are amazing - continue to get well but do NOT overdo!!

Ditto, ditto!

Great to hear how well you are doing, Marc!

Glad to hear you're getting better and better.

I wish he would listen to all of you. :rolleyes: Today is two weeks since the surgery and not only is he going back to work on Monday, he flying to DC to do it. I am worried about it being to soon, but he won't listen to me! :mad: He is doing really well though, :app: :app: :app: so we'll see how it goes.

but he won't listen to me!

Oh Arlene this sounds so familiar - just remind him, as I know you have, that he needs to let his body heal - the Jewish mother in me says TOO SOON MARC!!!! :mad: :mad:

Ditto Joanna! Telecommuting is one thing; dealing with air commute a whole different ballgame!

MEN!!!

Marc, glad you are doing so well, but like everyone else has said, take it easy!

Jan, Good luck in your treatments. Hope all is back to normal soon.

Marc, I finally read this long thread. You certainly have been through a major medical procedure. I'm happy to hear that all is going well now but add my concern that you may be trying too much too soon in your recovery. I'll be praying that you travel comfortably with no bumps from fellow passengers etc. as you resume work today.

Jan, so sorry for your current health concerns. You'll also be in my prayers.

Marc- you sound like me going back to work only after 2 weeks after surgery. Treatments are going okay- one week into it so far. As for me they have said I am in for 9 months of --. 8 more months of this.

Marc- you flew to DC-- take it easy and don't overdo it. I am an hour away from you from DC.
take care,
Jan

After the first two surgeries -- both late on Fridays, I went back to work the following Monday. I had the 35 days of radiation by 7 a.m. each morning and was at my office within 15 minutes EVERY DAY. I was working on a multi-billion dollar procurement in a special joint military/civilian government office, and we were under a restriction not to take leave. As the only civilian woman on the professional staff, I didn't want to be treated differently than the men. My third surgery was in and out. We flew from Maryland to Palm Beach International late that afternoon. I just wanted to rest in my own bed, not a motel room in Maryland. (I had retired from NOAA by then because we had completed the procurement and we had moved to Boca Raton, but I wanted to have the same surgeon operate for number three and he was in Maryland.) I had the stitches taken out here. I thought I was going to lay down and die on the flight, but I made it home. What is the saying, "Whatever doesn't kill me, makes me stronger." In retrospect, I was foolish. It took me several months to actually begin to recoup my strength. Marc, don't make the same mistakes I did thinking that the "job" came first. Good luck Marc and Jan. Jan, the 8 months will go by faster than you think. Judith

HEre's to speedy and healthy recoveries!

I have missed so many important posts while on the Mariner because all I did was post...not read. Jan, I'm soooooooooo sorry for EVERYTHING you're going through. I'm sure this has not been easy for you at all! I sure have you in my thoughts and prayers!

Marc, I hope this finds you recuperating and doing well! I'm so happy that you and Arlene still get to go on ROAR!! Stop giving us these scares!!

Jan and Marc, Keep getting healthier and healthier!!