Merry Christmas 2010

Mary Jo and I want to wish everyone a very Merry Christmas.  We feel so blessed that Mary Jo has finished her cancer treatments and is on the road to recovery as a survivor.  Mary Jo is feeling stronger every month and looking forward to 2011.

Good Three Month Checkup

Mary Jo had her three month checkup visit with her oncologist, Dr Gall on Friday.  Dr Gall did a through review of Mary Jo's lab results and gave her a complete physical examination.  Dr Gall explained to us that Mary Jo's blood analysis numbers have now all returned to the "normal" range with the exception of a slightly elevated calcium count.  The elevated calcium count could likely be as a result of the calcium supplements Mary Jo has been prescribed to help combat the effects of the bone density depleting effects of the drug Arimidex.  Mary Jo will be taking Arimidex for five years following her last chemo treatment.  Dr Gall ordered a chest x-ray and a bone density test for Mary Jo prior to the next scheduled visit in March.  Mary Jo is feeling stronger and stronger each month since completing her aggressive treatments and surgeries. 

The next medical hurdle for Mary Jo is to determine the cause and cure for the intense pains she is feeling in her left shoulder.  Mary Jo met with orthopedic surgeon Dr William Simonet for a second consultation last week.  Dr Simonet ordered an MRI and a EMG test.  The MRI suggested to Dr Simonet that Mary Jo may be suffering from a bone spur in her shoulder.  The Electromyogram / EMG and Nerve Conduction Test was ordered to eliminate the possibility that the shoulder pain may have been a secondary issue and a result of possible carpel tunnel in her wrist and hand.  The EMG showed everything tested normal for Mary Jo meaning no nerve damage.  Dr Simonet wants Mary Jo to go to a physical therapist and if she does not get positive results there is always the option to have the bone spur surgically removed.