It can't be...and it's not!

Ed's appointment went well! As soon as it was our turn to walk into "the room" I was reading the doc's body language like crazy. She probably thought I was trying to hypnotize her by the way I was staring and trying to soak up everything she was doing/saying. Naturally, the appointments are in German and my brain was working extra hard trying to catch a few key words. At one point I swear she told Eddie and I not to make-out too much?

They found nothing new on the CT scan...meaning there were no more hidden lymph nodes in his chest or abdomen this time. The ones in his neck are < 1.5 cm (they get more concerned when they are >2.5) and his blood results were fine. The fluid sample that they aspirated from the right side of his neck came back negative for malignant cells as well. The ENT doc (Dr. Nike Free Slippers) said there is always a chance that it is a false negative and that the sample was insufficient but I am staying optimistic. So the plan is to continue the antibiotics until Monday and an appointment on Thursday. If they aren't smaller by then, they will schedule the surgery and do a biopsy.

I mentioned my concerns about being able to fly home in 2 weeks and she told us to look into what kind of insurance we have on the trip. Of course this situation takes precedence over flying home but I just hope everything else continues to go smoothly so we can travel. We also spoke a little about genetic testing...I'll get more into that some other time.

Thanks again for all the support. It's been said before but I don't know what I would do without you all and my faith. In German they say "Ich drücke die Daumen!" Which literally translates to "I'm pushing my thumbs!" So thank you to all my "thumb pushers" and prayer sayers. I believe in its power. I didn't mean for my first entry to be so depressing but I had (still have?) a lot of worries. This can be my one-stop place to update everyone while venting at the same time. Almost 350 people read what I wrote yesterday...is it just me or that a bit nuts?

Want to know what else is nuts to me? The shoe choices of the nurses/doctors/staff at the hospital. It has become one of my hobbies over the years and it definitely occupies my mind for a bit while I'm there. Here are a few gems I've been able to catch...

Exhibit a.

Here you see a lovely pair of open-toe, open-back sandals complete with a spring in the heel. Puts a whole 'nother meaning to words "pep in your step." I've nicknamed her Tigger. Perhaps this is the Swiss version of Nike Shox? And yes, that is a spider web tattoo on her ankle.

Exhibit b.

Ok, so here's my new take on things: Since you are not contractually bound to wear actual shoes to work, and you have no qualms about exposing yourself (or your patients) to health risks, could you please, PLEASE, at least make sure that you have pretty feet? A cute nail polish color even? Anything! If I were ill, this would instantly increase my length of stay by at least a day or two. It would be detrimental to my recovery and healing if my nurse was bee-boppin' around in (help me out here, because I'm at a loss for words to describe them) bright yellow, flip-flop type, gummy sandals? She even has her nursing pants pegged so you can get a complete view of the whole situation...
(Note: reappearance of Nike Frees on the right)

Exhibit c.

Sorry, it's blurry but your eyes are not fooling you, those would be tie-dye Crocs...complete with holes.

All of these shoes would be an absolute No-Go in the States. My managers would have a heartattack if I waltzed into work wearing any of these! My co-workers would (hopefully) knock me upside the head for shufflin' around the halls in any of these kicks. There is also a doctor that clunks around in cowboy boots. I hope to add that one to my collection soon.

Ok, thanks for reading/caring!

-Don’t worry about anything - instead, pray about everything. Tell God what you need, and thank him for all he has done. Then you will experience God’s peace, which exceeds anything we can understand. His peace will guard your hearts and minds as you live in Christ Jesus. -Philippians 4:6-7

(Special thanks to Samantha Siman for encouraging/helping me to start this blog and for being my "editor.")