Doing the update

I haven't updated as much as I did previously (because there just isn't much to tell). There are a few things I'll update on. First, Marion had her PET scan and results read back from her radiation oncologist. Allow me to explain the PET scan process. Basically, a sugar (or something similar) is injected into the body. Rapidly dividing cells (typically cancer cells) "light up" on the PET scan.

The pic above shows a PET scan.

The good news is as far as Marion's cervical cancer goes, nothing "lit up". However, there was something in her neck that "lit up" Her first PET scan showed the same abnormality, and the doctors didn't seem overly concerned with it. They'll be following it up now with a MRI for further testing. Marion's been complaining of some pain there now, but it seemed to come on all of the sudden after hearing her radiation oncologist. We'll see what the Oncologist has to say after the MRI.

In other news, Tuesday was a day where things were all shaken up here in New Jersey. An earthquake hit in Mineral, VA that made its way up the entire East Coast. I've heard people say they didn't feel anything. I've heard people scared witless. Personally, I was annoyed at a guy sitting in the same row as Marion and I during her Child Support hearing.

We were sitting there waiting for Marion's turn to explain herself when a sudden shaking occurred. I thought it was the guy down the row hitting the bench with his feet. It became more violent and I figured it was a train going by. Yet, I soon realized there was no train near this courthouse. Time passed (slowly) until the hearing officer declared he was leaving and he thought we all should. Court cancelled.

As I write this, there is also some real concern over the impending Hurricane currently barreling toward us with reckless and wanton abandon. Irene is her name and destruction is her game. I already have a sufficiently weakened roof that already leaks that I'm worried about. I'm also worried about the Delaware River about a mile or two to the West which could seemingly flood. I'm furthered worried that the town I live in has a poor drainage system even in the most trivial of storms. I'm as prepared as I can be (flashlights, canned food, candles, battery radios, etc). Yet, I'm slightly worried that the nearest shelter is about 25 miles away in Glassboro. I also don't drive and PATCO, NJ Transit, and SEPTA are all closing down at various times from 6pm until who knows when.

My simple plan is if things get bad (roof flies off, a plague of locusts) is to trudge my way to the closest hospital and sit in the waiting room. I really can't figure out why the Red Cross hasn't opened up a shelter in all of Camden county. I have theories, but I don't want to sound like Kayne West.

Regardless, I honestly think things should be okay. I figure a power loss of 48 hours or so, some flooding, and not much more. I hope for once my optimistic spirit is right.