February 26, 2011

It has been the MOST amazing weekend I've had in quite some time... and it's only Saturday. I was able to push cancer out of my brain, for the most part, for about 24 hours!
My best friend's shower at our home was amazing. She's going to be a very beautiful bride, and have very well stocked cupboards and a beautifully decorated home...thanks to At Home America and Tupperware! I couldn't have pulled it off without my support team of Marci, Laura, and mom... it was a late night, but very well worth it! Thanks to everyone who was able to make it; unfortunately, the weather kept some from being able to attend.
Next it was off to celebrate my birthday with some very dear friends. Once again I was showered with love and gifts, the best one being their friendships!
My tentative treatment schedule:
Dr. Hohl met with us on Monday and discussed some options, ideas, and theories about what our next step with chemo will look like. He believed once every 3 weeks would be sufficient and I believe it was 6 of those treatments. The side affects and actual dosage, medication, and plan were still TBA because Dr. Hohl needed time to get the rest of my slides to view. When we left the doctor's office we would know results by Friday, yesterday. Instead, I got a fax with a new release form for a different lab that does have my results from the tumor biopsy. Another delay of game!
So, on Monday, March 7th will be another appointment to figure our course of action.
I promise to keep you posted!

February 23, 2011

Well, tomorrow is another day... a day to turn another day older! As I look back at birthdays past, this birthday will be no different. Most birthdays as a child I can remember being sick. I even remember going up to our local Hardware Hank (Do those stores even exist anymore?) with my Grandpa Watkins and telling all the clerks, "I'm six and I'm sick." (I got one of those Champ monkeys in the red sweat suit; they came in blue and yellow too I think... do you remember those?)
It was 7 years ago I spent my birthday with chicken pox and meningitis. Last year I spent it in a neck brace. Some things just never change! I am very grateful that I will not be undergoing chemo on my birthday. It's not getting another year older I fear, but what my condition will be ON my birthday! : )
I've been happy to be at work with my students the last few days. I really thought I was ready to be at home, concentrating on developing a healthier lifestyle. I'm not sure there's anything healthier than the laughter my students bring me! The posters, cards, and visits keep coming. All I have to do is look up and can find smiles and well-wishes.
As for the staff, I couldn't ask for more support. My substitute, even when she's not in the classroom getting paid, is stopping in picking up papers to help me get caught up with grading. Other colleagues have given up asking how they can help and simply gone to telling me how they are going to help!
The well-wishes keep coming in the mail as well; it's better than Christmas and of course more than a birthday! The love and support of my community never ceases to amaze me.
I'm more than ready to get started with treatment, but I believe I am suppose to enjoy my birthday so I'll wait one more week to get started. I think the waiting is hard now because my first 4 weeks of cancer were a blur because appointments were scheduled and procedures were done so quickly. It's hard to play the waiting game now.
The bills have also started to come from all of those doctor visits and procedures...YIKES! CANNOT imagine what it would be like to not have insurance!  The grand total of my surgery, drugs, anesthesiologist,  pathology, etc. on the day of the lumpectomy was only roughly $18,000.
The bills will come and go, the cards and posters will cease, but the love of the people who are supporting me will always be there... and for that I can NEVER fully express my appreciation! Thank you and love you all!

February 21, 2011

My 2 appointments today were pretty uneventful. 1st appointment, with the surgeon who performed my lumpectomy, he was happy with my healing and just wanted updated as far as the treatment plan. I informed him of my decision to go through the University and he commended me for taking control of my own health care. I'd recommend Dr. Light to anyone needing surgery!
2nd appointment was with Dr. Hohl. This was my first appointment with him and he just shared what he found with my test results and medical records I had transferred to him. Finding my way back to the cancer center at the University was a breeze... a step in the right direction! (Thanks Lisa for my last-minute confirmation.) I believe I even impressed my husband who believes I couldn't find my way out of a paper sack!
Dr. Hohl needs a couple more pathology slides to be transferred and then I will be starting my chemo. Unfortunately, for me anyways, Mercy needs their medical record release forms very specifically filled out. I completed this form again and the transfer will be done before week's end.  He also wants me to have another 1-2 weeks to completely heal from surgery.
So, as it stands I go back in two weeks for a finalized medication discussion and then start chemo a couple days after that; roughly March 9th. My chemo will only be one treatment every three weeks. Depending on how my body reacts to the medicine, I may even be able to work as much as my body will allow. No medicine shortage issues, no need for a port to be surgically placed, no COMPLETE lifestyle changes RIGHT NOW!
Love you all and thanks for your support!