I met Tony at his doctors appointment to meet the surgeon. Um, turns out our GP didn’t set up an appointment as his nurse had told us, so they had no idea we were coming. So we waited about a good hour while they had all of his charts and lab work to be faxed to make up his file before seeing the doctor.
Even with that set back, when we finally got into the doctor, we immediately both liked the surgeon. He went to undergrad at Madison in Wisconsin, then went to Stanford and did his surgical residency at Rush. The only piece of the puzzle he’s waiting on is the results of the ultrasound test Tony did on Monday, which would pinpoint exactly where the tumor is. If it’s high up in the colon, they just do surgery – all of their surgeries start out laproscopically, and only if there is a complication do they do the more invasive surgery.
However, if the tumor is lower in the colon, they do six to eight weeks of chemo and radiation. We had both just wrapped our brains around him having a possible invasive surgery, but chemo and radiation never crossed our minds. I know he has cancer, but we both had surgery on our brains. When we heard chemo and radiation, it make it seem that more real that Tony has cancer. It’s hard to describe!
The other piece of the puzzle will be next Wednesday, when they do a full body scan to make sure that the cancer hasn’t spread anywhere else, and then we’ll form a game plan at the end of next week. Bottom line is the surgeon doesn’t want to waste any time.
There’s just one more thing. This surgeon is a Chicago Cubs fan. I told him that on the day of surgery, don’t be surprised if I have written “Cubs suck” and “100+ years without a World Series Title” all over Tony’s body! 😀
I had to be to work early yesterday, so I had McDonald’s oatmeal – I really like it! And my co-worker said that you can ask for it without the maple, and it would reduce it to 6 points, but I still don’t think 7 points is too bad for a breakfast.
All of a sudden I looked up and realized I had 15 minutes to eat before leaving for the doctor appointment. I brought my Split Pea with Smoked Turkey soup – 1 1/2 servings for 8 points.

The smoked turkey was still really tender – I still have four more servings in the deep freeze too 😀 I never even tried split pea soup before just because of how it looks – missed out for so many years!

Since I didn’t do a full grocery shop this week, I decided to hit up my store’s 50% off bin on the way home. I scored and got a one pound bone-in New York strip for $4.30 and this package of veggies – Green Giant’s Healthy Colors. While I wouldn’t spend $3 on this package, I didn’t mind spending $1.50. Each serving is only 1 point.

I have a full-proof gravy recipe for you. I know I’ve talked about having the .50 cent packets of gravy mix in your pantry is nice to have on hand, but I didn’t have any more so had to make it from scratch.
Super Easy Gravy (makes 4, 1/4 cup servings – 2 points each)
- 2 tablespoons butter
- 2 tablespoons flour
- 1 cup broth (I used beef, but you could use any broth to suit what you are making)
- salt and pepper to taste
Melt butter in sauce pan. Add flour and stir for one minute. Slowly add the beef broth and continue cooking for 5 minute or so, making sure the flour is combined and the gravy gets thick. I added sauteed mushrooms for Tony and put that gravy over his steak – he loved it! 😀
This was the first time I’ve had yellow carrots – I actually never knew they existed! I am submitting this side dish to Christina’s Friday Firsts:
I did add pepper to the veggies at the table, but these were really good. Maybe I can use the remaining bag in a stir fry for my lunch today.
But later on in the evening, I was really hungry – I realized I’d only had 23 points for the day, so I made an unphotographed cheese and cracker tray for me and Tony – my guess is it was around 8 points. Turns out I like cheese! 😀
Stats for Thursday
- 31 points
- no exercise
- average blood sugar 134
Hope everyone has a great weekend – I’ll “see” you on Monday!
Superb website you have here but I was curious about if you knew of any community forums that cover the same topics talked about in this
article? I’d really like to be a part of group where I can get suggestions from other knowledgeable individuals that share the same interest. If you have any recommendations, please let me know. Many thanks!
I never knew there were yellow carrots either!? I hope Tony’s scan on Wednesday shows that it’s up high so he just has to have surgery and not all the radiation and stuff! Even if it IS to help get better!
I am so sorry to read this — I obviously missed the original post. Even amongst the challenge, I love your humor.
I am thinking about you guys and the upcoming scan to be sure the cancer hasn’t spread. Judging by his waste no time attitude and baseball team of choice, he sounds like a winner 🙂 I’m sure Tony is in the best of hands 🙂
Just when you were getting used to the idea of surgery, they whack you over the head! I think that when you’re facing something like this, there must be a lot of surprises and not many of them pleasant. Let’s hope that chemo and radition will not be necessary. Expect the best but prepare for the worst, right?
Hi Biz, I’m sending all the healing and healthy thoughts and virtual hugs yours and Tony’s way I can!!!! So hope for you both that chemo and radiation aren’t needed!!! Take care of each other!!
So glad that you like the surgeon…it’s so helpful when the doctor is someone that you like! I’m keeping my fingers crossed that he just has to have the less invasive surgery and no chemo/radiation! Keep your heads up! You will beat this! And try to get some rest this weekend!
Your soup looks amazing!
oh that soup looks so good!
You and Tony have such a positive attitude and that has to be a real boon to a cancer patient (or any patient). I’m sure it’s frightening but keep up creating moments for laughter at the situation!!!!!
I haven’t tried the McDonald’s oatmeal but it looks good. Just heard on NPR that one of the New England states (Vermont?) went to court to force McD into using real maple syrup in their state. They do. In all the other 49, they use maple-flavored syrup! = )
I’m giving your gravy recipe a try. Gravy is my nemesis!
Chins up and keep on adding those laugh lines.
Best,
Bonnie
hang in there you two, tony is tough can handle chemo and radiation, sucks he will have to do this, but looks like the dr is really making sure that this tumor doesnt take over and spread, this is a big slap in the face but god doesnt put anything in front of us that we cant handle..hang in there, im sure the shock of all this has thrown you all for a loop, but we want tony around and if it takes chemo and radiation he can do this, do you know if they are using tarceva for his chemo…it is kind of a new one and it kicked ass on my father in laws lung cancer….didnt have the nausea and did loose a little hair but didnt go bald, but i think tony would be sexy bald:) please stay positive, we are all here for you….tony is going to kick ass on this…
Our hearts are filled with love and well wishes for your entire family….
Lots of healthy vibes and positive thoughts for your family. You are so strong and supportive of each other. That is what I love about your blog.
Split pea soup is something I have not had in a while. It looks really good. I like things that freeze well.
thinking a lot about you guys. keep the updates coming, and the sense of humor flowing.
love the split pea. i think you’ve influenced me because i put hot sauce on almost everything now too!
Sending all sort of positive vibes your way!
Gosh, I’m so sorry to read about your husband! I hope that all goes well and he will not be in the hospital for the Superbowl, but having been through breast cancer and chemo myself (quite a long time ago), you do what you have to do and stay positive.
Thanks for the visit and I’ll be thinking positive thoughts for him too. It would probably help if you cheer for the Packers 😉
I’m really glad you guys like the surgeon. C’s grandma found out she had breast cancer last month and was in surgery a couple week’s later, we’re still waiting on pathology to determine the need for chemo/radiation, but it’s comforting when the doctor’s try to move quickly. My fingers are so crossed for you and Tony that it’s a new tumor that hasn’t spread/can be removed quickly.
Have you tried the Starbucks oatmeal? I love it too!
Liking the surgeon makes a big difference in your overall outlook going into this. The thought of chemo and radiation is a daunting one. It is a lot of information to process all at once.
I love pea soup it is a favorite of mine. I too like to hit up the bargain bin for meats for hubby! I’m not a big fan of red meat but he is and I often times get some good bargains there!
Just take it one step at a time Biz, you guys will get through this…cancer free!!! Hope you have a great weekend 🙂