South Pond View: Good news update

It was Mar 18 when I last updated the teams. First the highlights then details if you want them.

I finished radiation treatment, had the Cancun family wedding, Mother’s Day with Elizabeth, visited NOLA and Porter, and i'm having fun with a Community Garden

Many of you have called and emailed to make sure I’m staying positive and ask about THE SCAN.

Good news as of this AM. The PET/CT whole body scan: no new disease.

BUT: there may be disease and the test just does not detect it. Always the disclaimer. But this is the best test we have!

I am elated but also realistic. Melanoma is sneaky, but I hope for long-term disease free period. Eating well, exercise and social networking are areas that may help and I'm working on it.

The month of April was sobering as I had groin radiation. Radiation oncologists agreed the benefit was worth the risk. My doc reiterated it again today as she told me the results today saying she was less concerned about the groin since I have completed the zapping.

Sometimes it was 2x/day treatment to get them all in before going to Mexico. The doc thought she was crazy for “letting” me get on a plane 24 hrs. after a double session, but she had to reassure herself, it was “Meg” and that I would handle it.

The radiation was a mental game. Staying positive, and believing I was not going to have all the uglies that may occur. A little tired, a little wound breakdown, red skin, and the groin chafing of fragile skin. But I HAD to climb the a Mayan pyramid.

A little swelling continues and I now wear a stocking to keep it down, and see a lymphedema specialist who puts tape all over my thighs, just like the real athletes. All the MDs I see are very interested in it.

Cancun for my nephew Ben’s wedding to Amanda was wonderful. Ben is the son of my brother John and Kari of Spokane and is a policeman in Arlington, VA. Cancun Moon Palace was a delightful all-inclusive gathering spot complete with ruins, fabulous food, spa treatments and lots of family gathering.

My sister Jane and I were roomies and explorers to Tulum and El Coba. Wonderful tours but the climb to the top of the Maya pyramid was a highlight.

Elizabeth came for Mother’s Day and took me to L’Espalier, probably the top restaurant in Boston for a special brunch, complete with champagne, fois gras, and lobster benedict with chef-made English muffin. Then shoe shopping and Newbery St. A very special day with calls from everyone.

Then there was Porterville for Porter booster. The pics are on the shutterfly site if you really want to see lots of me and porter. I will try to post a video of the streetcar ride, his swim lesson, and the train garden complete with squeals of delight.

http://becknoyes.shutterfly.com/

Wedding Party. Kari's mom on far left