Update 32: January 22

I haven't had a new year's resolution since 1994. I'm still working on that one. So when my friends asked about mine for this year, I had to come up with something quick. "Quit smoking," I decided. That'd be easy.
 
Charlotte piped up with a better one, "Melody's new year's resolution is to get off drugs." I accepted the challenge.
 
I had another MUGA scan (heart test) on January 7. My ejection fraction (output) had only risen one point in the last month. I failed again (44%). Chemo man has decided my risk of heart failure outweighs my risk of a cancer recurrence. I won't be getting anymore chemo. So tomorrow I'm going to see my surgeon and say good-bye to my port-a-bump. And because I'm losing my port, I no longer need to take blood thinners.
 
So with that, ladies and gentlemen, I am pleased to announce that I have already accomplished both of my new year's resolutions for the year. I'm Melody Raines, and I've been clean for eight days.
 
I met with a cardiologist last week. He decided not to prescribe anything for me. Anything he gave me would lower my blood pressure. I'm already touching the barely-alive zone (80's/50's), so no meds for me. I'll go back to see the heart doctor next Monday (January 28) for a stress test and an echo. And I'm meeting with a plastic surgeon on February 4. We'll see what happens after that.
 
Thanks for hanging in there with me for another year,
Melody
 
"Create in me a clean heart, O God, and renew a steadfast spirit within me" (Psalm 51:10 NASB).