Good luck Scott.
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Yeah, but no "cola" flavor. All different crazy stuff. I just like the grape.

Yes, I have been.
I'm going to make a brief stopover at UPMC, then I'm gonna go to the Tarlov Cyst Institute in Kansas City.
Everybody has to swipe the card, you know how it works. :-)
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Hope they find a long term solution for you Scott. :-)
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Hope they can get you fixed up and normal again, well as close to normal as you can be Scottster!!!
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I wish you nothing but the best, brother!
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In the last 6 years I've had probably 25-30 MRIs... so I always try and find the humor in them (there's always something funny).

In August '03 my doc noticed something unusual in my blood work that led him to believe I had a brain tumor. So, he scheduled me for an MRI the following day, and let me tell you, that first MRI was the worst. Not only that, the suspense that night waiting for the results was horrific. Anyway, the next day I'm sitting in alone in the examining room waiting nervously for my doctor when he strolls in carrying the films.

"Well, let's see what we've got," he says, pulling them out. I feel as though I could puke at any second. He holds one up to the light, squints and says "what the. . . " The room starts spinning and I start making a mental bucket list as I thought for sure he was going to turn to me and tell me I had at most 3 months.

"WHAT, WHAT IS IT???"

He shook out of his gaze, "Huh? Oh, no, no... sorry. It's just that the tech drew an arrow here and they are NOT supposed to do that." I exhaled a huge sigh of relief, chuckling a little, then asked "Well, what did he draw an arrow to?"

"The tumor." Spinning again. "You have a 2 millimeter pituitary tumor." I can't help thinking that the pituitary is in the middle of the head and that that's certainly going to be inoperable.

"So, I mean, how long do I..."

"No no no, it's not like that. You have a very common, BENIGN tumor that probably won't be a problem in your lifetime. We just have to monitor it and regulate your hormones."

24-30 MRIs, 2 rounds of chemo and 2 neurosurgeries later... Oh well, que sera.

However, what I'm trying to say Scott is that even though I can remember with almost crystal clarity how awful I felt at times, I also smile remembering the times I could laugh at. It's cliche as cliche gets, but laughter (and the ability to find the humor in our situations) really is an awesome drug.

I hope everything goes well for you,
Mase
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When will you be in KC? I'm just an hour down the road if you have time we should get together.


Chris.....
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I don't have a clue.
I have to let UPMC swipe my card as many times as it takes, then we'll go from there. If I end up in KC, I sure hope it's soon. :-)
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Scott if you do have some time free in KC let us know, I would love to be able to shake your hand.
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I'll be sure to let everyone know, it'll be my pleasure to meet you guys. :-)
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