MRI

   

I had my 3-month MRI today, several weeks early. Even though the techs were running behind AND couldn't find a vein for the contrast, it was pretty easy. (They stuck my hands a few times and dug around before asking if I wanted them to call a nurse to access my metaport. Ummmmm.....YES!!!!)

Dr. Fleener's office called to give me the good news that the report looks "great". Both doctors looked at it, and reported good news. 

Still in remission and feeling better every day!!!

Leave it to Fleener

Dr. F wanted to schedule a short-notice appointment from some questions I asked at treatment earlier in the week.  I snagged one of the first appointments of the morning and decided to just bring these guys and their books/iPads with me.  

I've been having a few days of blurry vision--no patterns, no consistency, and no progression.  It doesn't make sense that it would be cancer--more likely related to the meningitis/encephalitis. However, just to rule out cancer, Dr. F wanted to move my MRI up to next week.  That way, we will be able to rule out the worst and then start working on things from there--opthamologist, etc.  

The other purpose of this appointment was to discuss the timing of starting me on a pill to go along with the shot I've already started.  After a few questions about symptoms from the shot--Am I having hot flashes? (no) Any other symptoms?  (cramping, period.)  You're not bleeding, are you?  (Yep.)

Well, that makes our decision about the pill because I can't take it if I'm still menstruating.  It's weird that I have an IUD AND am on an Estrogen-blocking drug and am STILL bleeding.  It could be that I had a thick lining, and my body is getting it out.  After all, I've only had 3 shots.  Or, it could be that I am that weird patient that, if anything is going to go wrong or be weird, it will be me!

I seriously love this doctor.  I also found out this week that another friend has cancer.  She was able to get in with Dr. Fleener, and I'm so happy that her prognosis is good!!  

In other news, as if we needed another medical issue, on Saturday, Stephen woke up from a nap with intense pain that continued to become worse.  He figured it was something to do with his gall bladder.  He went to the ER, and sure enough, it was!  He was able to come home with pain meds and push surgery to a later date.  LUCKY US!!!  It's seriously always something!

 

H&P #24

 

Just finishing up the 24th doses of Herceptin and Perjeta.  It's so crazy how my life has become chunked into these 3-week periods.  But, we keep on pushing forward.

This morning I woke up feeling nauseous.  I took something to help, tried to lie down for 5 minutes, but threw up in the sink, anyway.  I've also been experiencing some blurred vision, off and on, for about a month.  It comes and goes, even within the same day, but I'll notice that looking off into the distance, everything is blurry, and even trying to read can be difficult.  I asked the nurse to pass on the info to Dr. F, and she speculated that this might be a residual symptom from the meningitis.  I meet with her again on Friday morning to discuss a few things.

Summer has been going well, thankfully.  We enjoyed a restorative week at the beach, and the boys are excited about a new summer schedule, which rewards them with money and screen time for helping out around the house and yard, as well as doing activities that keep their brains thinking.

So, life goes on, as it does for us all, with its ups and downs, the fantastic moments and the dull, and we try to take advantage of every day, trying to out run cancer for as long as we can.

Shot #3

Back from Cabo and straight in for another treatment....

At least this was a quick one.  Looking back to try to remember which dose of this shot I've had, I realize I haven't written much about it.  First of all, it's big:

I receive this once a month, so only sometimes does it fall on the same day as regular chemo.  The appointment goes like this:

sign in at the front desk

wait to be called

follow a nurse into an exam room

wait while the nurse gets the supplies

the nurse cleans and disinfects the correct area

 (We have to switch sides of the abdomen each time.)

the nurse sprays on the "cold spray"

in goes the needle

on goes the gauze and bandaid

go home.

Last month, the shot was quite painful and caused bruising.  The area was sensitive for several days.  This time wasn't so bad.  So, thanks for the prayers.  Perhaps this "cup" will not be removed from me, but I can be strengthened to endure for many, many more shots.  

H&P #23

This one hit me hard.  Whether in a combination of overdoing it over the holiday weekend, poor food choices, or just "fun" side effects from the meds, it was a hard day.  I was supposed to have a conference call and was so knocked out I slept through my alarm!!!

It really isn't easy to NEVER be done with all of this.  Demoralizing, actually.  No end in sight, and my body slowly breaks down.  It's like Russian Roulette, waiting and guessing when/where/if cancer will return and how badly.  I try to stay positive and "keep fighting," but this 4-year-long war has already taken its toll--on me, on my family, on those who have given their time and talents to help us.    But, what am I going to do?  Give up?  Not a chance!  So, forward we march, onward, ever onward!

I'm reminded of the words to this hymn:

Called to serve Him, heav'nly King of glory,

Chosen e'er to witness for his name,

Far and wide we tell the Father's story,

Far and wide his love proclaim.

Called to know the richness of his blessing--

Sons and daughters, children of a King--

Glad of heart, his holy name confessing,

Praises unto him we bring.

Chorus

Onward, ever onward, as we glory in his name;

Onward, ever onward, as we glory in his name;

Forward, pressing forward, as a triumph song we sing.

God our strength will be; press forward ever,

Called to serve our King.

Words: Grace Gordon, alt.

Music: Adam Geibel, 1855-1933

Throughout this journey, I've had a few experiences that have led me to believe that there is purpose in trial, that it's important to trust God and serve Him, in good times and bad.  I have been chosen to be a witness of miracles, so I can testify of God's glory.  At times, it seems He could make his point in much simpler ways, but perhaps there are specific individuals who need to hear my experiences in order to find faith for their own trials.  As long as there is something I can do to press forward, being Called to Serve, I will.

I wasn't in much of a butt-kicking mood, so the slippers felt more appropriate.  

H&P #22

I'm back to my normal chemo schedule.

It's actually been a weirdly eventful 3 weeks in between the last treatment.  Believe it or not, that time frame involved ANOTHER MRI to investigate the suspicion of.....you guessed it....MORE CANCER!!!!

This time, it was my knee that gave cause for concern.  The last Thursday in April, I woke up, got out of bed, and felt pain in my left knee (the one which had surgery last October), and collapsed under my own weight.  I couldn't really think of a logically reason for this "injury."  Thankfully, I still had a brace to wrap around my knee as well as my crutches from the surgery.

Stephen was more concerned about this being more than a simple injury.  He was at work, but he happens to work AT A HOSPITAL.  He found Dr. V, my orthopedic surgeon, and explained what was going to.  The doctor wanted me to call his nurse and get a Monday appointment, even though he was "booked."

Over the weekend, the pain got better, and the leg got stronger.  Even so, Stephen insisted I make the appointment.  When we talked with Dr. V, he seems a little perplexed about my symptoms vs. my pain, description of the injury.  We did an x-ray, and there showed a tibia fracture, but, more concerning, what looked like......you guessed it.....CANCER.

We scheduled an MRI the next day.

Dr. V called on Wednesday with results:  Thankfully, it's not cancer.  It is, however kind of serious.  You had bone infarction, which had caused that are of your bones to not receive blood supply and die.   That part of bone will never grow back, so you just have to strengthen around it.  But, you have to take it easy for 3 months, maybe as long as 6.  No exercising on it, and take it easy.


Well, that was a weird--and actually quite rare--thing to happen.  It's not cancer, so I'll keep being thankful for the little things.  And, I am determined to take it easy, for if I don't, I'll need a total knee replacement.  Leave it to me to injure myself in weird ways!!!

There have been several times in the last few weeks when I have felt alone.  Whether physically alone or feeling emotionally empty and without hope.  I've asked "why?" I keep having all these extra problems, "why?" I have to go through any of this?, or "how long" is this going to keep plaguing our lives?  

As long as I let myself become weighted down by that line of thinking, I need to turn to scriptures like these: 

When we try to take courage in trials, the Lord will do so much more to make up the difference.  He will strengthen our hearts, helping our hope.  He will hold us by the hand and help us.  He will be on our right and left sides, with his Spirit in our hearts, sending angels to bear us up.  We can do hard things because we are never alone!  We are getting strength from God.  Sometimes, all we can give is courage and hope, and God will do the rest.  And, there are times when our hope and prayers for this life are not answered in the way we want, but we can continue to hold tightly to the hope and courage in the Lord to seek for the hope of the next life.  For He will always be in our hearts, as long as we let Him in.  

H&P#21

It's been a rough week.

What was supposed to be a leisurely weekend in San Antonio turned into me unable to walk or talk or remember anything----an emergency ride back to College Station and a following hospital stay.  I had aseptic meningitis, which caused encephalitis, and I basically skipped over three days of my life.  I cannot remember much of Friday through Monday.  It was scary and a terrible 40th birthday for Stephen.  I was released yesterday, and I'm back at treatment today.
The good news is all the tests showed that my brain lesions have shrunk even further and everything else seems to be well.  I'm just super tired and weak from being in bed for so long and am trying to take it slow.  This whole thing also solidified what an amazing husband I have, how much he loves me, that my boys have been trained well, and that my in-laws are priceless, going above and beyond. We are only making it work between their help and service from friends.

Lately, I won't deny that I have asked, "Why?" quite a bit.  What else do I need to endure to learn what I need to learn?  What more? My family needs me! I want to be here for them and with them!

I found this small answer in scripture:

Beloved, think it not strange concerning the fiery trial which is to try you, as though some strange thing happened unto you:
But rejoice, inasmuch as ye are partakers of Christ?s sufferings; that, when his glory shall be revealed, ye may be glad also with exceeding joy. (1 Peter 4:12-13)

First, I know I am God's "Beloved."  He knows me and loves me.

Next, trials are not unusual; we all have them, and they will help prove that we are on Christ's side and seeking to learn the things He would have us learn.

Who knows how much more I'll be called to endure, but for now, I'm hoping to endure it well.  (Minus that little episode when I didn't know what I was saying and yelled at my kids, "I WANNA EAT MAXO!  I WANNA EAT MAXO!!!  Maxo was Grandma's dog, and apparently I was trying to say I wanted Mexican food for dinner!  I'm sure we'll laugh about that for years to come!)

For now, I'm back in remission!

And, Mexican food doesn't sound too bad!